Crimson Desert is already selling better on Steam than the newly launched shooter from the Destiny creators

The hype around Crimson Desert is rising day by day. The new open-world adventure from the creators of Black Desert is climbing the top lists on Steam higher and is leaving even major new releases behind.

How is the hype manifesting on Steam? Crimson Desert is climbing higher in the list of bestsellers on Steam. This ranks the 100 currently best-selling games by total revenue. Meanwhile, the open-world adventure from Pearl Abyss (Black Desert) has worked its way up to the 6th place.

For comparison: The recently launched extraction shooter Marathon from Bungie (Destiny) cannot maintain its place in the top 5 despite strong reviews (88 percent positive on Steam) and falls back to 7th place, behind Crimson Desert.

The developers at Pearl Abyss can also be pleased with many wishlist entries on Steam. With 148,479, Crimson Desert has worked its way up to 5th place on steamdb.info.

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Crimson Desert shows more of the fights and progression in the action RPG in the new gameplay video

“The hype is really real!”

How is the community reacting? The high ranking of Crimson Desert in the bestseller list is currently being commented on in several discussions on Reddit.

  • Feed-Your-Fish writes on Reddit: “Man, I hope this game hits a home run. I’ve been looking forward to something BIG to play for so long.”
  • New_Cockroach_505 explains on Reddit as well: “I’m super excited for this game, but I have a feeling that this community will be totally poisoned with positivity after the release.”
  • iChieftain22 reminds on Reddit: “Even Digital Foundry said they shot three great videos for Resident Evil 9 that had decent views, and then shot a video for Crimson Desert that went absolutely viral. The hype is really real!”
  • Caosnight expresses a theory on Reddit: “I suspect that the increase in pre-orders is due to the confirmed console specifications, which have led many people who were hesitant to purchase the game to pre-order it for PC because they fear the game may not be optimized.”

Caosnight refers to the specifications for Crimson Desert for PC, consoles, Mac, and ASUS Rog Ally X that were released last night (March 10, 2026). You can find all the details here: Crimson Desert on PS5: The specs confirm what many have feared

What do I need to know about Crimson Desert ? The open-world action-adventure from the creators of Black Desert will be released on March 19, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox. You can expect a pure single-player experience with a wonderfully old-school Buy2Play payment model (buy once, play everything, no microtransactions), a huge world, and plenty of content.

In the game, you will take on the role of a mercenary named Kliff, who fights to reclaim his lost homeland in the world of Pywel. Later, you will also gain access to 2 additional playable characters: the agile fighter Damiane and the giant Oongka. You can find all the other details in our big overview of Crimson Desert.

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

WoW nerfs honor farming, doubles the time until you have solid equipment

Farming honor can be annoying in World of Warcraft. Now it is even harder, and especially newcomers suffer.

PvP in World of Warcraft is a closed book for many players. Many have taken a look during their WoW career, then got thoroughly “beaten down” and subsequently decided: I won’t look at this again. With Midnight, the developers wanted to solve this problem and introduced a new mode that is supposed to appeal especially to newcomers. However, this very mode has been changed so drastically that it is hardly worth it. The community is correspondingly angry.

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WoW Cinematic shows the journey of the Paladin Arator – Son of two worlds shows

What is this new mode? The “Training Grounds” are a PvP game mode played against bots. The bots are significantly smarter than in the “K.I.nderspiel” mode, so they can pose a real challenge if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The mode is perfect for learning the ropes in PvP and understanding which classes attack with which abilities, which cooldowns to pay attention to, or how to coordinate with the team on different objectives.

Additionally, you can earn a lot of honor here. You need this to earn solid starting gear for PvP. Because special PvP gear is much stronger in battlegrounds than regular PvE gear, as the item level increases drastically. Moreover, there are usually set bonuses that provide additional stats and advantages.

Half honor, double farming

What has Blizzard done? In a hotfix, the honor earned in the training grounds was reduced by 50% – quite drastically. This means that you now need to spend much more time obtaining good PvP gear or you struggle in regular battlegrounds to earn honor significantly faster but get run over consistently.

This is how the community discusses: There is widespread incomprehension in the community about the change. The new game mode was precisely designed to offer newcomers a way into PvP and to be able to train against bots first. At the same time, you could farm honor there and earn solid starting gear before heading into “real” battlegrounds. Accordingly, the comments reflect this, for example on wowhead:

  • “Wait, wait, wait. Didn’t they introduce the training grounds specifically so new players interested in PvP could earn gear and try it out without getting flattened by experienced pros? And now they reduce the honor by half? That makes no sense!” – Grizzlemaw1993
  • “I don’t even play PvP and still think this is a dumb change. It’s highly likely to lead to new players just not wanting to engage anymore when they are simply rolled over in PvP and don’t play it anymore.” – Shammyren
  • “One step forward, two steps back.” – Talth

With this nerf, Blizzard probably hasn’t done itself any favors, as some will turn their backs on PvP again if they cannot at least earn their starting gear in a somewhat easier environment. Generally, there are some questionable decisions in WoW, as even the housing community is “mildly dissatisfied”.

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

While Palworld is still being sued by Pokémon, the next clone appears on Steam

While Pokémon and Palworld continue their legal dispute, a new indie game called “Pickmon” is launching, which lawyers might already be rubbing their hands over.

What kind of game is it? Pickmon is a new indie game from developer PocketGame that further connects the worlds of Pokémon and Palworld. It offers a mix of survival crafting and, of course, numerous creatures for you to catch.

While you throw special cards at the monsters instead of Pokéballs, the familiar thrill of collecting remains. Similar to the hit Palworld, the collected creatures can then move into your own home, help with farming, or toil on the assembly line in factories.

You can watch the trailer for the game here:

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Pickmon shows its similarity to Palworld and Pokémon in the trailer

More Crafting and Survival

How does Pickmon differ from the competition? Although the title looks very much like a clone of Palworld and Pokémon at first glance, the indie game aims to stand out. The focus is intended to be much stronger on crafting and survival elements.

In the first screenshots on Steam, not only extensive production lines can be seen, but also entire greenhouses where Pickmons cultivate food for the players.

While in Palworld you are initially quite limited in the number of working Pals in the base, this limit seems to be much more generous in Pickmon: The images show about 30 Pickmons at work at a glance.

What else is there to do? The developers also promise a strong focus on exploration on Steam. Like in Pokémon, you should be able to use the specific abilities of your Pickmons in the open world to reach new regions and uncover the secrets of unknown civilizations.

There are hidden treasure chests to find and secret paths to unlock. And instead of Team Rocket, another secret evil organization is at work in Pickmon, whose plans you must thwart.

Is the game more than a clone? The similarities to Palworld and Pokémon are evident. Whether Pickmon really goes its own way in gameplay remains to be seen. Particularly ambitious, or perhaps even daring, is the planned release on the Nintendo Switch, as a direct competitor to Pokémon on the proprietary console.

After Nintendo and Palworld have been involved in a serious legal dispute for some time already, it is tempting to assume that this could also be the fate of Pickmon if the title really releases in this form. So far, there is no specific release date outside the trailer and the Steam page.

Whether Pickmon ultimately becomes more than just a brazen copy remains open. Indie developers often bring fresh, interesting ideas that can revolutionize an entire genre. Once Pickmon launches, it will be revealed whether PocketGame can achieve this. Palworld has to constantly justify itself, now there are jabs at secret investors

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

Crimson Desert: How much MMO is in the new open-world blockbuster for PS5 and Steam?

Crimson Desert comes from the creators of Black Desert and was originally supposed to be an MMORPG. Now many players are asking: Is that noticeable? How much MMO genre is in it? MeinMMO reveals it to you.

Why is the MMO question even raised? Crimson Desert not only comes from the experienced MMORPG developers at Pear Abyss (Black Desert), it was originally even announced as an MMORPG.

Later, there was only talk of a probably optional multiplayer. Meanwhile, Crimson Desert is a purely single-player adventure, without any form of multiplayer or co-op mode.

Such a genre change usually leaves its marks. Just think of New World, which changed from a survival sandbox PvP MMO to a theme park and struggled for years as a result. A current question from many players before the release on March 19, 2026, is therefore: Does Crimson Desert still show its MMO roots?

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Crimson Desert shows more of the fights and progression in the action RPG in the new gameplay video

Singleplayer game with MMO scope

To make this very clear: Crimson Desert has no content or options at release that allow multiplayer or co-op. The most sociability comes into play when you’ve unlocked the a total of 3 playable characters and explore the world together with them – you control one fighter while the other two follow you.

If anything reminds you of the MMO roots of the game, it is mainly the size of the game world as well as the sheer number of features, systems, and content. Marketing chief Will Powers explained in an interview that this scope is only possible because the developers at Pearl Abyss think in MMO sizes and originally conceptualized Crimson Desert as an MMO.

A hint of the actual size of the game is given by the statistics from the knowledge area of the game. 75 bosses to be spread over 573 territories? 28 different mounts and 150 collectible resources? These are normally numbers found in the MMO genre.

GameStar colleague Michael Obermeier was allowed to play Crimson Desert for several hours at the preview event and reveals his first impression:

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What about stories and quests?

When looking at the playable content from the recent preview event, one cannot yet make a final judgment on the story of Crimson Desert or the quality of most quests. However, the first impression looks like this:

  • The main storyline around Kliff and his clan is elaborately staged, and the dialogues have been recorded by experienced voice actors. Most lines of dialogue in the game are indeed voiced (unfortunately not in German, but there are German subtitles).
  • Although Kliff’s adventure starts dramatically, the story events of the first hours have not yet thrilled most preview players – the stoic Kliff remains rather bland as the main character.
  • The quest tasks are varied, but within the quest lines they do not always logically build on each other: suddenly after completing task A, you are supposed to continue with the new goal B, although there was no hint of that through dialogues or documents.
  • With the bounty quests, there is at least one content that could quickly feel quite repetitive: track down the corresponding NPC, overpower them, beat potential evidence out of the criminal, and then take them to jail.

However, there is currently no indication that the majority of quests consist of pure kill or collect tasks, like those known from many MMORPGs.

How much Black Desert is still in Crimson Desert?

Those who have played the MMORPG from Pearl Abyss, are likely to get Black Desert vibes from every trailer of Crimson Desert. The clearly Western-influenced, fantasy-enhanced medieval game world, the graphic style of the BlackSpace engine, the powerful, action-packed battles – the big similarities immediately jump out.

But you can also clearly see many areas in Crimson Desert that are clearly influenced by Black Desert. For example, both games have

  • a parkour system that allows the characters to overcome or climb almost all objects in the game world (even large enemies)
  • wild horses that can be tamed
  • pets that collect loot
  • a selection of life skills like fishing, cooking, crafting
  • NPCs to whom you can assign tasks
  • housing

In various other areas, Crimson Desert also clearly distances itself from the MMO. In Pearl Abyss’s new single-player adventure, for example, you will not find a powerful character creation tool, no lengthy XP monster grind, no aggressive service monetization, and no PvP content.

All in all, this is such an exciting mix for a purely single-player experience (even if we miss character creation, at least you can dye armors!), that the anticipation for the release is high at MeinMMO editorial: Due to an MMORPG, Crimson Desert is the game I am looking forward to the most in 2026

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

Diablo 4 Endgame Tier List: The Best Builds for All Classes in Season 12

  • Blood Wave-Necromancer
  • Gen Z discovers grandma’s hobbies for themselves and says: “Feels like a video game in real life”

    Generation Z is rediscovering hobbies that have long been considered “grandma hobbies.” Knitting, birdwatching, or crafts are suddenly trending and even compared to video games.

    What exactly is behind the trend of “grandma hobbies”? The term refers to hobbies that have traditionally been associated with older generations – such as crocheting, knitting, embroidery, gardening, or birdwatching. In recent years, especially people from Generation Z are rediscovering these activities for themselves.

    The idea is simple: Many young adults want to consciously spend more time away from screens and are looking for activities that feel analog and require real concentration (Sources: Fortune & Focus).

    One of the people behind the trend is Emma MacTaggart. She worked in investment banking for a long time and realized that her free time was almost exclusively taken up by her smartphone. Eventually, she started needlepoint – a traditional stitching technique, also known as tapestry embroidery – and stuck with it.

    It was a really therapeutic way to distract myself from stress and do something with my hands instead of just doomscrolling.

    MacTaggart in an interview with Fortune

    Ironically, the trend is spreading precisely through social media, where millions of videos about knitting, crocheting, pottery, or craft projects are shared (NBCNY).

    Other forms, such as puzzling, experienced a true revival as early as the pandemic in 2020/21. This trend was also picked up at that time by content creator Mirella Precek aka Mirellativegal, who founded her own puzzle brand with Willa Wunst.

    Select a MMO video…

    Analog > Digital

    Why do some people compare birdwatching to a video game? The artist Isaiah Scott (Instagram) describes his grandma hobby distinctly using gaming terms in an interview with Fortune. For him, birdwatching feels like a digital game.

    The reason lies in the structure of the hobby. Those who observe birds gradually collect more and more species and often keep a list of all the animals they have seen. Each new species feels like progress.

    Many amateur ornithologists (that’s what bird researchers are called) even use apps like the NABU app or eBird in the USA, which allow them to document and share their sightings with others. This strongly resembles collection mechanics from games.

    This structure thus clearly resembles classic game principles: One explores new places, discovers rare “finds” (in this case, birds), and gradually expands one’s collection step by step.

    Studies even show that regularly seeing and hearing birds can measurably increase well-being.

    Why are so many people suddenly taking up analog hobbies? The trend has several reasons. A central point is the desire for a balance to the digital everyday life.

    Smartphones and social media can sometimes mean that many people hardly have any real breaks anymore. Analog hobbies offer precisely the opposite: They require patience, attention, and offer rather slow progress (br).

    Jaime Kurtz, a psychology professor at James Madison University, emphasizes the importance of hobbies for mental well-being. Activities that require concentration and present a certain challenge could, according to Kurtz, help reduce anxiety and stress as well as create a sense of fulfillment.

    She points out that hobbies are neglected or not sufficiently prioritized by many people – it is already worth planning small time windows for them (Fortune).

    Do you have a hobby where you can completely switch off?

    Even though Warhammer 40,000 is not necessarily a classic grandma hobby, the tabletop does have many similarities with the analog leisure activities that are currently trending. No wonder, then, that even stars like Henry Cavill swear by it. Do you want to share a hobby with Henry Cavill? Here’s how to get started with Warhammer 40K

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

    Scrubs Season 9 destroyed a core element of the series, now it finally returns with the revival

    Everybody has their favorite in the series Scrubs. Many of them are returning for the revival. But there’s also a detail in the background that makes the series so good.

    Scrubs as a series doesn’t just work thanks to the jokes and gripping stories. The characters and how they are portrayed are the most important factor in why the series continues to be loved so much after 15 years.

    However, the heart of the series and the characters is often overlooked: The Sacred Heart. Season 9 not only destroyed it within the series but also symbolically. The hospital is not just a set; it is an important aspect for all sorts of scenes, and this is due to craft elements that one might not notice at first glance.

    Start video
    The latest trailer for the Scrubs revival showcases the key elements of the series

    The Sacred Heart itself is a living organism

    It is obvious that sets for movies and series are important, but Scrubs shows excellently how to implement them correctly. The Sacred Heart was a built set in an old hospital with multiple floors during the first 8 seasons of Scrubs. As a result, it appears at first glance more real, as if only stages were built here and there.

    However, that alone is not enough to give the hospital its own character. When you watch the series and pay attention to the background, you first notice how much is actually going on. Doctors talk to patients, sign papers, or walk through the halls.

    The main characters also interact with it: They sit on tables or grab equipment. The Sacred Heart receives a certain three-dimensionality.

    This isn’t just meaningless hustle; it always feels like organic behavior, as if real processes are happening in the background, and as a viewer, you only see J.D. and his colleagues. This makes it all feel like more than just a set full of extras. J.D.’s stories are smaller events in a larger whole.

    The Sacred Heart feels bigger, more tangible, and overall more realistic. This benefits the gags, the dramatic moments, and the characters as a whole. One believes that what is happening has actually taken place somewhere in the USA.

    This also demonstrates the skill of cinematic craftsmanship. Attention is paid to compositions, and the more people are in the frame, the harder it is to create a coherent construct, even in the background. Everything seen must be planned, and the creators behind Scrubs are quite good at that.

    The revival knows how important the Sacred Heart is

    In the controversial 9th season of Scrubs, the hospital was demolished and replaced with a medical school. The season, which wasn’t well received by fans anyway, lost not only the cool set, but also symbolically the heart that makes Scrubs so brilliant.

    In the revival, Season 9 seems irrelevant, as the Sacred Heart is back. Since the original building no longer exists for the revival shoots, the Sacred Heart had to be rebuilt. While not all floors could be recreated, places like the iconic entrance are back. In a YouTube video from Architectural Digest, the production shows how they tried to recreate certain places, even if they have to cheat a bit.

    Now it just remains to be seen if they can cinematographically bring the Sacred Heart back to life again, because it absolutely deserves it.

    Are you excited that the Sacred Heart is finally back? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. The revival honors not only the set but also a deceased actor who provided many laughs in Scrubs: The Scrubs revival honors a deceased colleague, naming a special place after him

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

    The most successful new MMORPG 2026 is said by experts not to be Aion 2, but a game that none of you have on your radar

    An analysis from China has considered the upcoming MMORPG releases and assessed how significant the releases will actually be. Surprisingly, the first place is not taken by Aion 2.

    What kind of analysis is this? The Chinese MMORPG magazine 17173 has looked at the 10 largest MMORPG releases for the year 2026. The authors have considered releases that will take place only in China as well as international releases.

    However, in their opinion, the highly anticipated Aion 2 is by no means the most important release of 2026.

    Here you can watch the trailer for Aion 2:

    Start video
    Aion 2: New trailer prepares for the Korean launch of the MMORPG

    Honor of Kings: World in 1st Place

    What kind of MMORPG is this? According to the magazine, Honor of Kings: World will be the largest MMORPG release this year. The game is the MMORPG spin-off of Honor of Kings, the major competitor to LoL from China.

    Honor of Kings: World is therefore for players in China what the LoL MMORPG is for us in the West. Players are looking forward to reuniting with familiar characters, a new way to immerse themselves deeply in the world, and a MMORPG with high production quality.

    According to 17173, however, there were problems despite the massive brand during the last tests. For instance, the closed beta showed low player retention, apparently due to rather monotonous gameplay. According to the magazine, there are difficulties in implementing the strong IP meaningfully while also being a standalone, good MMORPG.

    This narrow balance is crucial, as the strong brand is the most important asset of the MMORPG. Important features should include the 4vs4 team PvP mode and in-depth PvX and social features. The authors, however, see an excessive focus on being a purely single-player MMORPG as the biggest risk for the game.

    Here you can watch the trailer for Honor of Kings: World:

    Start video
    Honor of Kings: World shows setting and battles in the trailer

    How does Aion 2 fare? The global release of Aion 2 lands only in fifth place in the analysis. The Chinese magazine sees a recurring story here: the hype around the new MMORPG is unabated in the West, but the pay-to-win monetization could lead to a rapid decline in player numbers.

    According to the authors, many players on the Asian servers simply stop playing in the endgame, reminiscent of the trajectories of New World and Lost Ark. Aion 2 is said to share the same fate: a lot of hype followed by a similarly deep fall.

    What does MeinMMO author Cedric Holmeier say?

    Cedric Holmeier is an Asia MMO expert at MeinMMO and has spent thousands of hours in MMORPGs like Swords of Legends Online, Metin 2, Throne and Liberty, or Tarisland. Here is his assessment of the analysis:

    Looking at all releases purely from the perspective of Chinese players, Honor of Kings: World could really be the biggest release in 2026. The MMORPG already proved at Gamescom 2025 with a huge booth just how much money is actually behind the project and that they also want to score in Europe.

    The gameplay, however, has so far looked more like Tarisland or Blue Protocol: Star Resonance – both titles that flopped quite quickly after a short hype here with us. Honor of Kings: World could end up facing a similar fate.

    The mentioned dangers of Aion 2 at the global release are also real. While in Korea and Taiwan battle passes and similar can easily cost over 40 euros a month, such prices would clearly exceed the willingness to pay of players here in the West.

    If Aion 2 wants to win players in the West, it needs to convince with genuine content. A clear concept is necessary to remain relevant in the long term, and the content from the OG servers must be delivered quickly enough. If that succeeds, Aion 2 will also be successful despite all criticism – and will definitely surpass Honor of Kings: World in the West.

    Currently, probably only a few fans in the West have Honor of Kings: World on their radar. Without the strong brand behind it, Western players will pay much more attention to the actual gameplay, which has yet to fully convince. You can learn more about the MMORPG here: New MMORPG from China wants to appear in the West, now provides new signals

    This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
    Source(s):
    1. 17173.com

    Crimson Desert Roadmap – The important dates until the release and beyond

    Is there a roadmap for Crimson Desert? What important dates are known for Pearl Abyss’s open-world adventure? MeinMMO answers these questions.

    Is there a roadmap for Crimson Desert? The developers at Pearl Abyss have not yet released a roadmap for the time after the release of Crimson Desert. On the contrary, the officials emphasize that there are currently no finished contents that are being artificially withheld.

    In what form updates, DLCs, or expansions will be provided after launch will depend on the success of Crimson Desert. The game is intended to offer a self-contained single-player experience and not be developed as a service over months or years.

    Update from March 11, 2026: We have reviewed the post and refreshed it for the upcoming release.

    The release date has been set since September 2025 – thanks to this trailer:

    Start video
    Crimson Desert reveals the release date in the new trailer

    All known dates for Crimson Desert

    What does the roadmap look like until release? Below are the most important dates currently known:

    • March 4, 2026: Participants of an exclusive preview event may speak about their first experiences with the latest version of Crimson Desert.
    • March 18, 2026 – 11:00 PM: Test reports and videos for Crimson Desert may go live.
    • March 19, 2026 – 11:00 PM: Crimson Desert will be released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series.
    • March 19, 2026 – 11:00 PM: Guides for Crimson Desert and any other form of reporting may go live for Crimson Desert.

    In the time leading up to the release there should also be detailed information about the console versions of Crimson Desert. When exactly we can expect that is still unclear.

    Is there no early access? No! Regardless of which version you buy, all start at the same time in Crimson Desert. However, there is already a selected group that has access to the review version of the open-world adventure to thoroughly test the extensive game before release. More about this can be found here: The first downloads of Crimson Desert are starting, which should also please those who are not allowed to play yet.

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

    xQc reveals huge earnings from gambling streams where he could hardly lose anything himself

    In the past, streamer xQc streamed gambling on Kick with a deal. He casually announced part of the terms: He didn’t gamble his own money and received a flat fee from Stake.

    What kind of income is that? xQc was a professional player for Overwatch for a long time. However, he was eventually kicked from his team and began a career as a streamer on Twitch. Here he initially played all sorts of games until he eventually discovered online gambling.

    As Twitch limited online gambling, xQc accepted an exclusive contract from Kick, or rather its parent company Stake for 100 million dollars.

    Additionally, xQc had a deal with Stake, the online casino. For one stream, xQc received 200,000 dollars. The streamer mentioned this in a stream (highlight clip on X).

    Start video
    From Overwatch professional to number 1 on Twitch to 100 million $ – Who is xQc?

    200,000 dollars for 10 minutes or several hours

    How could xQc hardly lose anything? The duration didn’t matter, the streamer says: According to xQc, the stream could have lasted only 10 minutes, he would still have received this high sum of money.

    xQc also could have just bet very little: I received 200,000 dollars in any case. I could have gambled only one dollar in an hour, I could keep the remaining 199,999 dollars. (Source: X).

    If you have problems with gambling or are concerned about a loved one, please contact the counseling hotline of the Federal Ministry. The counseling team of the BZgA can be reached free of charge and anonymously at 0800 1 37 27 00 during the following hours: Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 10 PM and Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM on 363 days a year (excluding December 24th and December 31st).

    In the past, xQc has shown that he likes to gamble large amounts at online casinos. He once lost almost 170,000 euros in 2 minutes. Even today, xQc is still regularly seen in online casinos. However, the 30-year-old only streams gambling on Kick, as Twitch has tightened its rules in this regard.

    The sad thing is: all the money xQc has received from his gambling streams probably cannot be used for good, as his parents do not want to use their son’s income: 29-year-old streamer sold himself to an online casino for millions $, but his parents do not use the money

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

    Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to return to the role that made him famous, says he is old but will still kick butt

    At almost 80 years old, Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to step in front of the camera one more time and has his sights set on the role that made him world famous: Conan the Barbarian. 20th Century Studios has brought on board a director who has had successes in the past.

    What role is that?

    • Conan the Barbarian is a character that appears in several short stories by the American author Robert E. Howard. The setting is the “hyborian age”, a harsh world with some influences from cultures of our own.
    • After his parents and the rest of his tribe are killed by outsiders, and he and other children are enslaved, Conan grows stronger, fights as a gladiator, and eventually takes revenge on the murderers. He later ascends to become king.
    • Conan the Barbarian is the role that marked Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big breakthrough – though an accident on the first day almost ended his career.

    This is known about the film: The film titled “King Conan” is currently in development at 20th Century Studios, according to the Hollywood Reporter. This is the fourth film featuring the legendary barbarian after the first two films with Schwarzenegger that were released in 1982 and 1984, and the 2011 remake with Jason Momoa, which became a 90-million-dollar flop.

    Christopher McQuarrie is signed on as director, who most recently directed the four latest installments of the Mission: Impossible series. Schwarzenegger reveals a bit about the plot himself in a conversation with his fans (via polygon):

    A great, old story in which Conan was king for 40 years and is now forced to leave his kingdom. Naturally, there is a conflict, but somehow he returns, and there are all kinds of madness, violence, magic, creatures, and stuff.

    Schwarzenegger is now 78 years old and knows he can no longer play the barbarian in his prime. However, he promises: “It will be adapted to age. I will still kick butt, but it will be different.”

    Here’s a bit of nostalgia for you:

    Start video
    Trailer for the Schwarzenegger movie “Conan the Barbarian”

    Conan the Barbarian – An Icon, Even in Gaming

    The role of Conan was not only a significant point in Schwarzenegger’s life but has also inspired many other media, including two major MMOs or multiplayer games: the brutal MMORPG Age of Conan and the survival game Conan Exiles.

    One could argue that only Conan the Barbarian himself serves as inspiration, but Schwarzenegger’s acting performance has also been just as influential, prompting the developers to implement Arnie statues in Conan Exiles.

    In addition to his role as Conan the Barbarian, Schwarzenegger is also eyeing roles in a future Predator and a Commando film. When these films or King Conan will be released is still unknown.

    Conan the Barbarian is legendary not only because of his tragic story but also due to his chiseled appearance. Schwarzenegger, who was a bodybuilder for a long time, has put his stamp on the muscle-packed, large warrior with sun-kissed skin. It is all the more exciting that he was considered too small for a similar role: The great Arnold Schwarzenegger was too small for one of Marvel’s iconic characters and was rejected.

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

    Fortnite raises prices, but the most important feature remains equally expensive

    Epic Games has announced that V-Bucks for Fortnite will become more expensive, and by a substantial amount. The reason is reportedly increased operational costs. At the same time, however, the company is lowering the prices for the Battle Pass. Only those who want to afford a bit more comfort will now pay significantly more.

    This will get more expensive:

    • The prices for the various V-Buck bundles are changing – or rather: their contents. You will now receive fewer V-Bucks for the same amount of money.
    • For 8.99 euros, you now get only 800 instead of 1,000 V-Bucks, for 22.99 you get 2,400 instead of 2,800, etc. Overall, this is a price increase of between 7.5-20%, depending on the bundle. You can find the full list on the Fortnite website.
    • Epic Games states that “the operational costs of Fortnite have risen significantly.” Surprisingly, only the V-Bucks themselves are more expensive, not the Battle Pass.

    What does this mean for me? For skins and everything else you buy in the shop, you will now effectively pay more, even if the displayed price in V-Bucks hasn’t changed – V-Bucks themselves are now simply more expensive.

    If you are someone who only buys the Battle Pass and otherwise spends little money in Fortnite, nothing will change for you, because: the price for the Battle Pass decreases in proportion to the increase in V-Bucks prices:

    • 800 instead of 1,000 Bucks for the OG Pass (still 8.99 euros)
    • 1,200 instead of 1,400 V-Bucks for the Music and LEGO Pass (still around 11.50 euros, half of the 22.50-euro bundle)

    In the Battle Pass itself, you can earn back 800 V-Bucks and thereby directly refinance the upcoming Pass. The Battle Pass package with 25 tier skips, on the other hand, will be relatively more expensive and will cost 2,600 instead of 2,800 V-Bucks. The price adjustments will take place on March 19, 2026.

    Start video
    Chappell Roan is the icon of Fortnite Festival Season 13

    “Great, really shabby”

    The price increases are – not surprisingly – not received very well in the community. In a thread on Reddit, many people are upset that Fortnite is raising prices, even though the game is seen as a money machine for Epic Games.

    Particularly the cited rising operational costs are criticized, although some users have to admit: the service of Epic constantly giving away games must eventually demand its due.

    Although the prices for the Battle Pass itself do not increase, there is indeed considerable anger for the premium variant with 25 tier skips, because for this you now have to dig significantly deeper into your pocket, as a user explains:

    So now you have to pay 22.99 dollars PLUS 8.99 dollars for the Battle Pass + 25 tier skips to get the 2,600 V-Bucks, because 22.99 dollars only gives you 2,400 Bucks and you need 200 more. LOL, great, really shabby.

    Mastownge on Reddit

    Users compare the practice to what LoL developers Riot Games previously did with its MOBA.

    In the gaming landscape, the next big title is approaching: Crimson Desert, actually a solo RPG with a lot of narrative and action gameplay. Something that has little to do with a battle royale like Fortnite. Nevertheless, there is a collaboration: Action-RPG Crimson Desert collaborates with Epic Games, bringing a skin for Fortnite

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

    One of the largest pizza services in the world and MontanaBlack’s energy drink are raffling off a high-end PC, messing up the competition – Now all participants win

    Pizza delivery service Domino’s held a raffle together with the brand of Twitch streamer MontanaBlack: GÖNRGY. However, the raffle initially had no winner. When this was noticed, everyone became winners.

    What kind of raffle is this? The pizza delivery service Domino’s and the beverage brand GÖNRGY of Twitch streamer MontanaBlack held a raffle from November 24, 2025, to January 15, 2026.

    The prizes amounted to a substantial total of 10,000 Euros:

    • The 3rd place would receive an e-scooter.
    • The 2nd place would get a PS5 along with a 55-inch Smart TV.
    • The winner would ultimately receive a high-end gaming PC as a gift.

    The conditions for participation were relatively simple. Participants only had to find the cardboard stand of MontanaBlack in a Domino’s store and post a selfie with it on Instagram, along with the appropriate tags. According to YouTuber Marvin Wildhage, who made an explanatory video on YouTube about the raffle, initially only 6 people did this.

    Marvin Wildhage hired two more people to participate in the raffle to check if it would be resolved. Thus, a total of 8 people participated.

    Start video
    MontanaBlack is one of the most well-known streamers in Germany – This was his very first video

    8 participants and no winner

    How was the raffle messed up? Despite the high popularity of both organizers, the raffle probably did not reach the desired number of participants. The raffle was not resolved; YouTuber Marvin Wildhage specifically investigated this by contacting the participants on Instagram and having the missing winner confirmed.

    Initially, there was no report from Domino’s or GÖNRGY stating that the raffle had already been resolved or canceled.

    How do the organizers react? Meanwhile, both Domino’s and MontanaBlack have expressed themselves regarding the incident. The pizza delivery service writes on Instagram that mistakes were made and they take full responsibility for it.

    Apparently, the raffle was actually canceled, but without the participants or the public being informed about it. Domino’s promised to contact all 8 participants to ultimately make them all winners.

    MontanaBlack also commented on the situation. In a Twitch stream, he reported that he had already talked to Marvin Wildhage and that Domino’s had found a suitable solution.

    It is astonishing that the raffle by Domino’s and GÖNRGY attracted no more participants. The beverage brand has already gained quite a reach through its founder MontanaBlack. Although the energy drinks are quite successful, most of the money for the Twitch streamer likely comes from other sources: Twitch streamer MontanaBlack earns at least €100,000 a month, even with channels that are not his own

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

    Crimson Desert finally shows specs for the PS5 and confirms what many have feared

    Crimson Desert has provided detailed technical information about the PC and PS5 versions. However, on the PS5, you may have to make some compromises regarding performance.

    Developer Pearl Abyss has presented detailed specifications on X.com for PC, consoles, Macintosh, and ASUS Rog Ally X.

    In addition to extensive details about the PC version, Pearl Abyss has also released details about the PS5 version. Specifically, we now know what FPS values we can expect on the PS5 and PS5 Pro.

    It is important to note that these are initially just the manufacturer specifications. Concrete gameplay for the PS5 has not been shown yet.

    This is also a reason why many players fear that the PS5 version could have technical issues. The presented specs now confirm the fears that we won’t get a game that you will be able to play with 120 FPS on the PS5 Pro.

    Start video
    Crimson Desert shows more of the fights and progression in the action RPG in the new gameplay video

    Even on the PS5 Pro with upscaling, max 60 FPS

    Officially, the PS5 Pro is currently Sony’s most powerful console: According to the official PlayStation blog, HDMI 2.1 allows for up to 120 FPS in 4K and the console officially supports 8K at 60 FPS.

    What about the PS5 Pro? According to the official console specifications, Crimson Desert is far from running at 120 FPS on the PS5 Pro: In performance mode, it aims for 60 FPS in 4K with strong upscaling (from Full HD), in quality mode, a maximum of 30 FPS is possible natively with ray tracing. Without the improved PSSR version, the FPS rate is likely to be even lower. And for a fast-paced action RPG, 30 FPS is already quite low.

    If you forgo upscaling and play in native resolution, according to Pearl Abyss, a maximum of 30 FPS is possible, but with ray tracing at ultra settings.

    How does it look on the regular PS5? The weaker PS5 looks similar: In performance mode, you get 60 FPS at Full HD, in quality mode a maximum of 30 FPS with upscaling.

    On the regular PS5, you also cannot use PSSR, as this is officially only supported on the faster PS5 Pro. Therefore, on the regular PS5, you can only use the standard FSR 3.0 from AMD. More details on AMD’s FSR 3.0 can be found on MeinMMO.

    Crimson Desert is an action-adventure with RPG elements and an open world. It comes from the developers of Black Desert and is set to release in 2026. We at MeinMMO will tell you everything about the release date, editions, trailers, and more: Crimson Desert: All about release, platforms, editions & multiplayer at a glance

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

    For 80% of you, Crimson Desert sounds too good to be true, but where does the open-world game really need to convince?

    Crimson Desert will be released on March 19, 2026, and the hype has reached the readers of MeinMMO. Curiosity is high, but it is tempered by caution. We want to know from you what the ambitious open-world game really needs to deliver to convince you.

    It won’t be long before Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss releases, and the hype continues to grow along with the anticipation of curious players. This sentiment is also evident in our community at MeinMMO, which is why we asked if you would want to play Crimson Desert straight from the release. And 2,651 readers shared their opinions with us:

    The survey showed a clear interest in Crimson Desert: Overall, 81% of you want to be present right at launch or at least consider diving into the game yourself.

    However, the results also reveal a certain skepticism, which we want to explore further.

    Start video
    Crimson Desert shows more of the fights and progression in the action RPG in the new gameplay video

    The survey results show a clear trend

    Based on the survey results, we can draw the following conclusions:

    • 81% of you (2,157 votes) are interested in Crimson Desert, 28% (767 votes) will be there on release day, and 18% (489 votes) have even pre-ordered it for the timely start.
    • 19% (494) have no interest in Crimson Desert and do not want to play it. However, that is almost the same number as the pre-orders among our readers.
    • Among all the interested parties (the aforementioned 2,157 votes ready to give the game a chance), almost 2 thirds are skeptical (64%). You want to wait and see what reactions emerge after the test embargoes and the first player experiences at launch.

    The hype is big, but you are still skeptical – this is your opinion

    The uncertainty of many readers stems from various reasons. While there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Crimson Desert, there are also points that understandably unsettle the community.

    This skepticism is also evident in the comments of various Crimson Desert articles, despite the high interest:

    • “It’s curious, every new news about the game increases my skepticism instead of doing the opposite just before release,” writes Sveasy regarding the console version.
    • “Looks like a mix of ‘Shadow of Mordor’, ‘Black Desert’, and ‘Dynasty Warriors’. I will wait for many, many different reviews first,” comments Harrierdubois also regarding the PS5 gameplay.
    • “I’ll hold off for now. I’ve heard a lot about the complicated controls. If that is truly the case, it really puts me off. A clumsy control scheme is a no-go for me,” finds Skaalian in consideration of the physics and the controls in Crimson Desert.

    What would need to convince you about Crimson Desert?

    We would love to hear from you what your critical “make-or-break” point would be, that crucial feature that would convince you to make a purchase. 

    Is it a well-developed open world? Diverse combat? Or possibly wild experiences that are promised to you? Feel free to share it with us in the comments, we would be very interested in your opinion!

    It won’t be long until Crimson Desert is released on March 19. Until then, you have time to follow new information, or hear the first player reactions starting from the release. If you would like to share your opinion on what aspects need to convince you in Crimson Desert but need a bit more input, we’ve summarized the 4 key features of the game for you: Crimson Desert has about 5,000 features; these 4 determine whether you will have fun

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

    A tech YouTuber proves how much unnecessary programs can really harm your PC performance

    Most computers come with the pre-installed operating system Windows. However, many companies add extra applications on top. Why this can lead to problems is demonstrated by a well-known YouTuber in a self-test. 

    How did the expert test it? Linus Tech Tips examined the effects of additional software on a brand new PC in his YouTube video from March 8, 2026.

    For the test, the expert is said to have used a pre-configured mid-range PC from Dell, which was tested four times under Windows 11:

    • Once with only the pre-installed apps from Dell.
    • The second time with additional programs like Norton, CCleaner, and Avast Antivirus.
    • The third run is said to have included gaming software like Razer Synapse, Armory Crate, and MSI Center.
    • In the last attempt, he is said to have cleaned the PC and avoided bloatware.

    The result is, according to Linus, surprising and shows that gaming performance is only impaired when using a lot of additional software simultaneously. In Cyberpunk 2077, at WQHD resolution, the third attempt with a lot of bloatware, compared to the cleaned and standard configuration, lost about 5-7 percent in performance. The FPS in the test is said to drop from about 79 to 74.

    Many gamers are annoyed with the pre-installed bloatware from the Windows 11 operating system. So much so that some gamers are already considering switching, as Valve has already had the perfect solution for years. 

    Start video
    Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer

    Additional software loves to annoy 

    How does bloatware affect your PC? While the test shows that a PC’s gaming performance is not significantly impaired until dozens of programs are installed, it can have other effects on your system. 

    • The power consumption can, as shown in the video by Linus, increase almost double from about 35 to 61 watts when the PC is not actively used and idle.
    • Start times can become significantly longer. Every application that starts with your device via autostart requires resources and prolongs the startup process. For example, the “cluttered” version of the computer in the video takes almost 2 minutes longer to boot.
    • Pop-ups from programs such as Norton, CCleaner, and Razer can disrupt workflows or even appear during gaming sessions, momentarily minimizing your game and causing interruptions.
    Recommended editorial content

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    Link to the YouTube content

    How can I remove or prevent unwanted programs? There are two ways to free your PC from bloatware: 

    • Use special installation media such as Tiny11 or Ghost Spectre for Windows 11: This allows you to choose which software you want to install and which not during the Windows 11 installation.
    • Remove unnecessary programs yourself. You can do this using special bloat-removal tools like Winhance, which have been created for easy use by users.
    • Alternatively, you can also use the autostart feature. To do this, open the task manager in Windows 11 and then click on the three lines in the upper left corner. Then select “Startup of Apps” and disable the automatic start of the desired software.
    • In general, if you use external tools from Github or other sites, problems can arise, such as broken drivers or security risks when using software from unknown sources. The same goes for autostart: do not disable programs you need to start your system.

    Many apps have features that are of different importance to each user. In the end, you have to decide for yourself which software you need and which slows down your PC “unnecessarily.” If you are unsure, we have already provided some recommendations for you: 7 tools and programs you should definitely delete from any gaming PC

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

    The next generation of robots refuses to die and even runs away from everyone

    Researchers are developing a fresh generation of modular robots that can not only walk but also survive damage and reassemble themselves.

    Where are indestructible robots being developed? A research team from Northwestern University in the USA has developed a completely new type of robot. These machines consist of several small modules that can assemble into larger robots (MCCormick).

    The entire model is based on an evolutionary algorithm that mimics natural selection. The results of this research area have directly flowed into the development of the latest model.

    Start video
    Why is RAM so expensive? The current situation explained in 2 minutes

    The researchers call these constructions “legged metamachines” – machines consisting of several small, leg-like modules.

    Each individual module is already a complete mini-robot with:

    • its own battery
    • its own motor
    • a small computer

    “Inside the sphere, the robot has everything it needs to survive: a ‘nervous system’, a ‘metabolism’, and ‘muscles’,” said Kriegman, an expert in biorobotics and AI, assistant professor of computer science, mechanical engineering, as well as chemical and biomedical engineering, in the press release.

    On their own, a module can already roll or turn. When multiple of these units are connected, a significantly more powerful robot is created that can even “walk” or at least move steadily. The published study mentions a so-called “morphological adaptation gift” (PNAS).

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    Link to the YouTube content
    Source: Northwestern University

    Immortal Robots

    What makes these robots so special? The big difference from many previous robots lies in their adaptability. Classic robots are often built to be very specialized. If a single component fails, the entire system often stops working.

    Sam Kriegman explains in the video that the robots currently do not perceive their environment nor have orientation. However, each element of a combined robot can recognize when something goes “wrong”, meaning when they are upside down.

    The new metamachines are constructed to be significantly more flexible. Because they consist of many individual modules, they can change their structure or be reassembled. Even if individual parts are damaged, the robot can continue functioning. This makes the machines almost resemble small, artificial organisms that adapt to their surroundings.

    Do the new robots defy all obstacles? To test their constructions, Kriegman and his team selected the best three-legged, four-legged, and five-legged models that previous development had produced. In outdoor tests, the models moved over various surfaces – such as gravel, grass, tree roots, leaves, sand, mud, and uneven bricks.

    They could hop, turn, and right themselves after tipping over – without special preparation or retraining.

    In contrast to conventional robots, which often completely fail when there is a defect, these machines remain operational (in the video, a leg is even explicitly severed). They can adapt and continue to work. Even if a leg breaks off, the metamachine remains stable: the remaining modules compensate for the loss and continue to move.

    The severed leg can even roll back and reconnect with the machine.

    The new walking robots from Northwestern University show how rapidly robotics is changing. While machines are becoming more robust and adaptable, other projects are trying to build robots that are as human-like as possible: The tech company DroidUp has introduced its new robot. It is supposed to serve primarily as a social partner.

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

    Pokémon GO: Fans believe that there is a very special surprise in the next electric event

    Pokémon GO will soon launch an event centered around Pikachu and other electric-type monsters. However, some fans hope for more.

    What kind of event is this? It is called A Shockingly Good Time and starts on March 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM. It ends on April 6 at 8:00 PM.

    The focus is on various electric Pokémon. Among other things, Pikachu, Lampi, and Dedenne will have an increased shiny chance during the event. And: The recently discontinued Spotlight Hour returns. Each day features a different one at 6:00 PM:

    • March 31: Voltilamm
    • April 1: Pikachu
    • April 2: Magnetilo
    • April 3: Lampi
    • April 4: Pamo
    • April 5: Dedenne
    • April 6: Wattzapf

    Additionally, field research featuring the corresponding Pokémon and a new GO Pass have been announced.

    But: Some fans in the subreddit for Pokémon GO have theorized that this is not all there is. They hope for the debut of a long-awaited Pokémon: Mimigma.

    Start video
    Pokémon GO Fest 2026 comes with Mewtwo and Zeraora

    Why do fans believe that Mimigma will appear in Pokémon GO?

    Mimigma is a Pokémon closely related to Pikachu. It is known for hiding under a sheet that looks like the popular electric mouse. It does this because it is said to look so terrible that everyone avoids it. Therefore, it wants to look like Pikachu – to be loved.

    What is the theory? The announcement of the event sparked interesting comments in the subreddit TheSilphRoad. For instance: It would be funny if the Spotlight Hour on April 1 was Mimigma instead of Pikachu, by the user aznknight613. User lxpb also commented: I predict this is the debut of Mimigma.

    Some other commenters agree and believe a surprising debut is indeed possible.

    What speaks in favor? Currently, there are a few arguments that support this.

    • The strongest is April 1. Pokémon GO likes to surprise with cool content on April 1, and an event featuring Mimigma disguised as a Pikachu event seems plausible.
    • Mimigma was recently included in a leak that also featured Pokémon like Gigantamax Meows and various Pikachu forms that appeared shortly thereafter. This does not have to mean anything, but it could.

    What speaks against? Primarily, that nothing official regarding Mimigma has been announced or hinted. Thus, it should not be assumed that it will actually appear. Furthermore, there have previously been hints about Mimigma shown without it ever appearing.

    Nevertheless: A Mimigma on April 1 would be a surprise that would make the event quite exciting. What do you think about the theory? Will it appear at the event, or do we have to continue waiting for Mimigma? Tell us in the comments! And if you want to know what is definitely happening in March: Here are all the current events in Pokémon GO in March 2026.

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

    “I’m a healer, but…” – The new RPG for Warhammer 40k gives you a surgeon you don’t want to end up under the knife of

    A new trailer for the RPG Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy presents Epione Spes – a surgeon who accompanies you on your journeys. On paper, she is a healer, but you should still be cautious of doctors in the grim future.

    Who is the new companion? Once, Epione Spes was part of the Officio Medicae. This organization is responsible for the medical care of the imperial forces and fights against plagues in the ranks of soldiers or makes the wounded fit for service.

    As the daughter of a noble family, she belonged to the highest echelons of the Officio Medicae. However, for (currently unexplained) reasons, she lost her family and her status. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from honing her skills in medicine and surgery.

    Eventually, the Inquisition took notice of Epione Spes. Impressed by her talent, this dangerous organization of the Empire made her an acolyte.

    Start video
    Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy presents a cold-hearted surgeon in the trailer who accompanies you

    Warhammer 40,000 turns even doctor visits into horror trips

    Why shouldn’t you let her treat you? The doctors of the Empire in Warhammer 40,000 are not necessarily looking out for their patients’ well-being. What matters to them is that they can return to their duties as quickly as possible – and at any cost. With her claw glove, Spes also does not seem trustworthy, but rather like a slasher villain.

    A comment on the trailer on YouTube nicely summarizes the attitude of surgeons in Warhammer 40,000: “I’m a healer, but…”. This is reflected in the companion’s gameplay, as she can not only heal damage but also deal it out in painful ways.

    Spes primarily acts as a field medic: She helps your squad stay on their feet during fights. For this, she uses specially crafted mixtures. However, she not only provides support but also eliminates enemies herself with a sharp scalpel – or incinerates them with a flamethrower.

    Epione Spes is one of five companions who have already been announced for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy. In a previous trailer, “Conscript 0-118-B” was in the spotlight – not the brightest servant of the Empire, but one of the most loyal. You can read more in the following article: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy introduces a new companion – not particularly bright, but faithful to the Inquisitor like no one else

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

    Thor is the most boring Avenger in Marvel, but surprisingly I really like him without powers

    Thor as a character in the Marvel universe is, for MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes, one of the boring members of the Avengers despite his powers. However, a new comic completely changes that by taking away his superpowers.

    The Avengers have gathered many powerful heroes over time. One of the strongest is probably the God of Thunder, Thor, who also plays an important role in the MCU. Even though I liked his last movie, he is more of a boring character – yes, even compared to people like Hawkeye.

    This is mainly because, as a God from Asgard, he usually has no direct connection to the people he helps. He always seems otherworldly, exalted, and far removed from humanity.

    This exact aspect is portrayed differently in the new comic The Mortal Thor No. 1 and offers one of the best interpretations of the character that should eventually make it to the big screen.

    The Mortal Thor No. 1 was sent to us by Panini as an editorial review copy.

    Start video
    In the 2nd teaser for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel showcases the iconic character Thor

    Without Memories, Without Magic Hammer

    What is The Mortal Thor No. 1 about? Right at the beginning, we get to know Sigurd Jarlson. He is a quite muscular guy who remembers nothing but can handle a hammer well. He lives in a small apartment in New York and wants a job.

    If you read the back and look closely at the character, you know: This is Thor. He and other gods from Asgard seem to have been forgotten and among the Avengers is Beta Ray Bill, who we have already introduced in an article.

    Thor applies for a construction job with the company Roxxon, but he declines because he doesn’t want to be a scab. Others follow his example, and mean guys try to beat him up for it. But Sigurd can also handle a (regular) hammer without powers and can defend himself against the attackers.

    This not only begins his journey in New York, but also initiates a larger fight with Roxxon.

    It sounds like a simple story, but author Al Ewing and illustrator Pasqual Ferry conjure an opening that even the MCU could use.

    An Approachable Guy with a Lot Beneath the Surface

    What makes the comic so good? Just the title The Mortal Thor immediately sparked my interest. What does it mean for the former God of Thunder, and how does one weave mythology into the story? Unlike in the first Thor film of the MCU, Thor here doesn’t have to learn how humans live; he is one of those humans.

    In New York, he belongs to regular workers, and as often happens in such stories, he fights against a company that exploits employees and plans evil in the background. This is interesting in itself because such grounded stories can hardly be found in the MCU anymore and even in the comics are usually only present in heroes like Daredevil, who can’t take on Thanos or Doctor Doom.

    Thor is stripped of his exalted status as a god, but not his heroism, fighting for the people who are being exploited. It has a poetic character. The drawings by Ferry also match this well. The fight scenes are visually clear, surprisingly explicit in their depiction, and they really represent a Thor without powers well. For instance, he uses a regular hammer with a rubber band to swing it back and forth like the known god.

    However, they don’t completely discard the mythology, as the question remains of what has actually happened to Thor and how other well-known figures from his family fit into the story. But anyone expecting more of the mythology in the 1st volume might be disappointed. I found the first mortal adventures so captivating that I immediately wanted more and will follow the series further.

    Reinterpretations Matter

    The Mortal Thor already shows in the first volume how important it is to reinterpret characters. They do not need to be replaced or discarded, but to keep them modern, one must experiment with them, putting them into new situations that do not consist only of even more powerful enemies.

    Of course, there is always the danger of losing the essence of a character, but without risk, no exciting stories can arise. The kickoff of The Mortal Thor is a great start that DC and Marvel could also learn from in the film and series world.

    How can I read The Mortal Thor? The new volume from Panini, released on 10.03.2026, is a good entry point and contains the single issues Thor (2025) 1 to 3. The individual issues are also available in English as a digital version or physically as imports. The mutant Storm received a new good story last year: An underestimated heroine in Marvel finally gets the story she deserves

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