The Empire became a great power in Star Wars after Episode 3, but how did it achieve that?

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Already in the first film of Star Wars it is known: The Empire is the greatest danger to peace in the universe. However, after the events of Episode 3, one had to build up power and influence. This is done with several elements.

How was the Empire created? The Galactic Empire was founded by Darth Sidious (Palpatine) to allow the Sith to rule the galaxy after the Jedi had maintained peace for a long time. How the Galactic Republic is overthrown can be seen in Episodes 1 to 3.

However, the Empire was not built overnight. To remain the most powerful force in the universe, precautions must be taken.

Start video
Star Wars: Episode 3 – The Revenge of the Sith Trailer (English)

Structure is important

How was the Empire structured? Although Palpatine is the head of the Empire as Emperor, he cannot control certain areas alone. To ensure that the galaxy remains under control, the Empire has a hierarchy.

  • At the top is the Emperor.
  • His quasi-right hand is Darth Vader. While he seems less involved in the theoretical leadership of the Empire, he takes care of problems outside and inside the Empire. Moreover, he is a powerful weapon feared by all.
  • Palpatine also had Imperial Advisors, who came from different parts of the galaxy. The council of these advisors decided what role each person had in the imperial structures (via Wookiepedia).
  • The Moffs and Grand Moffs oversaw various sectors in the universe.
  • Below the Moffs were the planetary governors, who took care of troops and ships in smaller areas.
  • At the bottom was the military. They did the dirty work for the Empire. There was also a hierarchy there.

What is interesting about the military is that the clones were gradually replaced by stormtroopers. According to Screen Rant, stormtroopers were cheaper than the clone program with Kamino. Although stormtroopers tended to be less efficient, during the height of the Empire, quantity was better than quality.

Palpatine basically utilized what the Galactic Republic had built, and after his coup, he used these structures to create a totalitarian system. However, to keep it that way, other aspects must also be strengthened.

More on the topic
More on the topic
In space battles in Star Wars there should be complete chaos, but a trick keeps things orderly
von Christoph Waldboth

A totalitarian system needs one thing above all: fear and propaganda

How did the Empire secure its control? To build and maintain the Empire, one must also focus on other aspects. One of them is fear. One aspect was data collection. Codes were made mandatory for travel. This allowed the collection of data on many beings and the ability to respond early to rebellions.

Additionally, communication must be restricted and controlled. After the Empire had risen, it took control of the Holonet and quickly secured it. This also allowed propaganda to be spread.

The Empire presented itself as a bringer of peace and made it difficult for the rebels to grow.

In addition to the imperial structures, there was also a Senate. This allowed the Empire to give other planets the illusion that they still had some say. However, after the plans for the Death Star were stolen, the Emperor also dissolved the Senate.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Luke Skywalker had a descendant who played a role in one of the most interesting and unknown phases of Star Wars.
von Niko Hernes
More on the topic
5 Aliens from Star Wars that are at least as bad as Jar Jar Binks
von Christoph Waldboth

To spread fear, the Empire only had to build the Death Star. As a superweapon, it could prevent planets or larger armies from resisting it. Along with propaganda, it was a good method to initially maintain power, but even that did not help defeat the rebels. However, there were also weapons in Star Wars that were even worse than the Death Star: A weapon in Star Wars is worse than death, although it makes enemies immortal

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Screen Rant
  2. Wookiepedia
  3. culturslate.com
  4. Titelbildquelle: Star Wars auf YouTube

I ordered a mobile phone for 250 euros on Amazon, instead I received a cheap book

Yana Yana Reading time 3 minutes

Anyone who orders a mobile phone from Amazon expects to receive it. However, MeinMMO author Yana only received an old book instead of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro.

After my smartphone became 3 years old and the battery barely lasted, it was time for a new purchase. I opted for a relatively inexpensive phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro. I ordered it through Amazon, directly from the official Xiaomi store – that is, the brand shop operated by Xiaomi on Amazon. The product itself was sold and shipped by Amazon. So everything seemed safe, I thought.

Have you ever wondered what the N symbol on your phone means? You will find out in this video.

Start video
What does the N symbol on your phone mean?

Worthless book instead of a new phone

What happened to the phone? The day the package arrived started off normally. My fiancé accepted the package from the driver and had to read out the security code that Amazon requires for expensive orders. When he brought me the package, it was already opened. He had opened the envelope himself and immediately noticed that the phone was missing.

With the words “Here’s your new phone,” he handed me the open envelope. But instead of the hoped-for Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro, which I had ordered for just under 250 euros, I found an old, worn paperback in the envelope. At first, I could hardly believe it. I reached into the envelope, pulled out the book, and looked at my fiancé, saying, “Are you kidding me?” But it was no joke. I had actually received a book instead of the phone.

In the picture, you can see the delivery envelope and the novel that I received instead of the phone.

This is how I dealt with the situation: I immediately contacted Amazon support. First, I had to work my way through the automated chat with the AI assistant, which wasn’t particularly helpful. After a while, I could request a call back from Amazon and explained the incident to the employee over the phone.

The employee’s reaction was almost routine: “Oh, not this again.” It turned out that such incidents, especially with Xiaomi products, have been reported more frequently lately. Allegedly, valuable goods are deliberately exchanged for inferior items in the shipping center.

What happens next? Amazon offered me either a refund or to repeat the order. I chose the latter and received a return label that I could print and attach. This way, the book package could be sent back, and I hope that the next delivery will actually contain the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro.

If I receive another wrong product or if the story develops further, I will, of course, keep you updated and will continue the article accordingly.

Better safe than sorry

I never thought something like this would happen to me, especially not when buying directly from the manufacturer on Amazon. While the support was helpful, the statement “not this again” shows: this is not an isolated case. It was a really strange and frustrating experience. While I often hear about such cases, I never thought I would be affected myself. Especially as someone who reports on such cases, it was almost a bit ironic to suddenly find myself in this situation.

What can you do if this happens to you? This case shows: even with seemingly safe purchases from official Amazon stores, something can go wrong. There are even scammers on Amazon who make money by deceiving you with fake reviews. To ensure that you are not left helpless in a serious situation, here are a few tips.

  • Document everything well: Photos, videos. Order numbers, chat histories – secure everything that supports your case.
  • Document the unboxing process: We immediately took a photo of the package along with its contents – that is, the shipping envelope and the old book. This helped us as evidence to credibly explain what happened to support. If possible, take photos or videos of the unboxing itself as well.
  • Check the goods directly upon delivery: Especially for expensive orders, with one-time codes – check the package in the presence of the driver, if possible.
  • Use official support channels: Report problems directly through your Amazon account. Don’t let yourself be brushed off by the AI chat, demand a call back if necessary.
  • Keep an eye on reviews: Even if it’s the official store, a pattern of such cases is worth a second look.
More on the topic
More on the topic
Player receives a component for his gaming PC from Amazon delivered 30 times, but unfortunately the part is almost completely worthless
von Benedikt Schlotmann
More on the topic
YouTuber buys popular AMD processor for 500 euros on Amazon.de, later has a CPU in hand that is only worth 9 euros
von Benedikt Schlotmann

It is known that there are frequent problems where one receives the wrong product, it is damaged, or sometimes one even receives counterfeits. We regularly report on such cases. Among other things, a player shared that he ordered hardware worth 840 euros through Amazon. The player received only cat food and tissues instead of his hardware.

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

Pokémon GO: Defeating Dynamax Entei – 4 Tips for the Fight Against the Legendary Monster

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

Next weekend, Dynamax-Entei awaits you in Pokémon GO. We have summarized how you can best defeat the monster.

When does Dynamax-Entei appear? Dynamax-Entei will be the focus of the Dyna battle weekend. It starts on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 06:00 and runs until Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 21:00. During this time, you can challenge the monster in 5-star Dynamax raids.

Since Entei is a legendary Pokémon, you should be well prepared and coordinate your approach to successfully defeat the monster. We have summarized how to achieve this best.

Start video
Pokémon GO: What’s in the new Season Powerful and Masterful

Tips for fighting Dynamax-Entei

Use the right counters: Entei has the fire type and is therefore weak to attacks of the water, ground, and rock types. You should take along monsters that have attacks of these types.

The following Pokémon are suitable as attackers:

  • Gigantamax or Dynamax Blastoise
  • Gigantamax or Dynamax Kingler
  • Dynamax Inteleon
  • Dynamax Excadrill

Make sure your monsters have the right Dyna attacks. The fast attack of your Pokémon determines the Dyna attack it can use.

Bring enough trainers: Legendary monsters can be tough nuts to crack. You should not underestimate the strength of Entei and definitely bring enough trainers. Ideally, you should fully utilize the maximum group size of 4 trainers.

If you have very strong Pokémon and play smart, you can also complete the battle with fewer trainers. However, it is advisable to face a group of 4 trainers to avoid taking risks.

Use the right strategy: In Dynamax raids, it’s not just about constantly attacking to deal a lot of damage. You also need monsters that can take a lot of damage to quickly charge your Dyna meter and then deal damage with your attackers.

Once you have used your Dyna attacks with your monsters, you should switch back to your tanks. Repeat this until you have defeated Entei.

If you have enough trainers, you should also assign clear roles. In a configuration of 4 trainers, it is advisable to use 2 trainers for dealing damage, while one trainer provides healing and another provides shields for the group.

Level up Pokémon and attacks: The best monsters and attacks won’t help you if they are not leveled up. Make sure to evolve your monsters and increase their levels. The level of your Dyna attacks should also be increased and ideally reach the maximum level of 3.

More on the topic
Dynamax-Regirock in Pokémon GO: The best counters against the boss
von Paul Kutzner
Pokémon GO: All Events in May 2026 – Dates in the List
von Paul Kutzner
Pokémon GO: Raids, legendary bosses and raid hours in May 2026
von Paul Kutzner

Active bonuses during the event: During the event, some bonuses are also active. These do not explicitly help you in the fight against Dynamax-Entei but can ensure that you collect some additional Dyna particles.

You can use these to strengthen your Dyna attacks or challenge a higher number of Entei.

The following bonuses are active during the event:

  • The maximum limit for Dyna particles is increased to 1,600
  • 1/4 of the usual walking distance is required to obtain new particles
  • Power sources give 8 times the amount of particles
  • Particle costs for leveling up and unlocking Dyna attacks are reduced by 25%

After you have already challenged Raikou in its Dynamax form in the past and now Entei is waiting for you, there is only one Pokémon of the legendary trio left. This has also been announced: Pokémon GO brings a legendary monster in a new form – Is it worth it?

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

New MMO with huge battles showcases powerful machines and large fights with up to 200 players in a new trailer

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

A new MMO is starting a huge playtest that will last for a month. In line with this, a new trailer has also been released.

What kind of game is it? Warborne Above Ashes is an MMO being developed by Pumpkin Studio. In the game, you can choose one of 6 factions and participate in massive battles with hundreds of players. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic scenario and can be played from a top-down perspective.

In addition to the large number of players, the duration of the battles is also an interesting aspect of the game. Each war is supposed to last a month before the map is reset and a new war begins. Updates will ensure that the wars remain diverse and provide long-term motivation to participate.

Playtest begins, new trailer released

What is this playtest? A new playtest of the game will start on April 24, 2025, which you can participate in. The test is supposed to run for a month, thus covering a period equivalent to that of the wars in the finished game.

In the playtest, titled “Total War Test,” you can test the different factions and get an impression of the gameplay and strategies for battles. If you want to participate, you can request access for the playtest on Steam.

A new trailer for the playtest has also been released. You can watch it here:

Start video
Warborne Above Ashes – Trailer for the Total War Test

What does the trailer show? The trailer sets the stage for the massive battles, showing a large number of characters moving across the map and colliding in fights.

Additionally, the trailer features some buildings and a few of the massive war machines that will also be part of the battles.

When will the game be released? A specific release date for the game has not yet been announced. However, it is expected to be released in 2025.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Amazon takes action against exploit users in the largest MMORPG on Steam, rewards all players who have not cheated
von Karsten Scholz
More on the topic
The creators of Warframe will soon let you test their new fantasy MMO – Here’s how to participate
von Christos Tsogos
More on the topic
For 24 hours, an MMORPG has a new endgame – But it’s almost finished on many servers
von Sophia Weiss

In addition to Warborne Above Ashes, many other MMOs and multiplayer games are set to be released in 2025 that you can look forward to. A list of titles that will be released this year in full or in early access can be found here at MeinMMO: New MMOs and multiplayer games in 2025.

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

Blizzard buffs all classes in Diablo 4 so that seasonal power doesn’t overshadow everything

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 42 minutes

In a livestream, Blizzard explained how they want to buff the classes in Season 8 of Diablo 4. To do this, they will weaken the new seasonal feature so that it does not replace all builds. We summarize the highlights from the patch notes for patch 2.2.0 for you.

These are the highlights from the patch:

  • The PTR for Season 8 showed Blizzard that the new boss powers are way too strong. As a result, they dominated the builds and overshadowed other “normal” builds. Therefore, they will be weakened.
  • At the same time, all six classes will receive a few buffs. Also, builds that previously did not play in the upper echelons of the tier list could become strong according to experts.
  • In addition, Blizzard is overhauling the endgame bosses. You should no longer be able to oneshot them so easily; instead, you can summon them without boss mats. However, with the boss mats, you will get more loot.

Moreover, the patch brings plenty of bug fixes and “quality of life” improvements. Patch 2.2.0 will be released at the start of Season 8 on April 29, 2025. The detailed German patch notes can be found on page 2 of the article. Attention: They are very extensive.

How are the classes being buffed? All core skills of the Barbarian cost less resources. The dual-wield build has been improved and could become strong according to Diablo expert wudijo (via Twitch stream).

For Druids, leveling in Season 8 is expected to be more pleasant as they receive more spirit power through “Gift of the Stag.” This makes the class particularly strong in the early game, explains wudijo in the stream. The new unique headgear “Gathlen’s Birthright” could also be interesting for many builds.

Necromancers primarily receive buffs for their blood builds – including Blood Spear and Blood Wave. The Death Trap Huntress is expected to be the strongest build of the class in Season 8 according to wudijo. Sorceresses receive several strong buffs, especially regarding their frost skills. This includes the Blizzard build, which was one of the best builds in Season 2.

The Spiritborn benefits from the buffs for the unique staff “Sepazontec,” which increases the damage of base skills. Additionally, the damage of the unique amulet “Gorget of the Sunbird” is increased, and the storm feathers will also become jaguar skills, making the item more interesting for multiple builds. You can see all the new uniques from Season 8 in Diablo 4 in our overview.

Start video
Diablo 4: Der Gameplay-Trailer zu Season 8 mit Belial

Boss powers should not overshadow builds

The criticism of the seasonal power was: On the PTR for Season 8, the boss powers were simply too strong. Players and experts feared that the new powers would dominate the meta builds and overshadow other builds.

In the YouTube livestream, game designer Charles Dunn explained on the evening of April 24, 2025, that they will weaken the boss powers:

One thing we specifically heard on the PTR about these powers was that they were more than just a small component – they were your entire build. They dominated so much that your entire damage basically came solely from these powers.

We wanted the powers to be strong and felt, but that’s a fine line: You should perceive them, you should feel them in your build – but they should not replace the entire build. At that point, we went a bit overboard on the PTR.

The developers also noted that the boss powers scale with your Paragon levels. On the PTR, this went up to Paragon level 300, which is a “really long grind.” The maximum scaling is set at Paragon level 200. According to Blizzard, this is a much more realistic value that most players can actually achieve to fully utilize the powers.

Design Director Colin Finer added that players should not feel forced to reach Paragon level 300. It should rather be an “I am just ultra badass” thing.

The new mechanic in Season 8 allows you to take on the powers of the Hideout bosses – after you have defeated them once. This way, you can dig through the ground like Duriel while dodging or spawn a blood pool like Lord Zir. You can find out more about the powers here: In Season 8 of Diablo 4, you will take on the powers of the toughest enemies when you defeat them

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

Monster Hunter Wilds: All Monsters with Weaknesses, Locations, and Loot in the List Including TU2

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes
Hold on, Adventurer! English localization still loading...

This article is currently in its original German "vanilla" version. We're channeling our inner Mein-MMO and grinding hard on the English localization quest line!

The full English version will be unlocked soon. Thanks for your patience.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, everything revolves around the huge beasts that need to be hunted. You can find out which monsters there are and what you should know about them in our list.

Update, July 1, 2025: We have updated the post with the following information:

– Loot and tips for Lagiacrus
– Loot and tips for Seregios

How does the list work? Here you will find all the monsters currently available in Monster Hunter Wilds. For each one, you will find the corresponding areas, elemental and status weaknesses, a brief description with little tips for your hunt, and a listing of possible loot.

We divide our list alphabetically into “Large Monsters” and “Small Monsters”. With our directory, you can quickly jump to individual monsters:

[toc]

What do the stars mean? The stars indicating status weaknesses represent the severity of the weakness. The rule is: the more stars, the more vulnerable the monster is to that weakness.

The stars in the loot list represent the rarity of the respective item. The rule is: the more stars, the rarer the loot.

What do the abbreviations NR & HR mean? NR stands for low-rank rewards from low-rank monsters. Accordingly, HR stands for high-rank rewards from high-rank monsters. High-rank monsters only appear later in the game.

Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds shows its first title update with a new monster

Large Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

These are the bosses in the various areas. They can only be defeated with a good strategy.

Ajarakan

MHW-Ajarakan
Ajarakan
  • Elemental Weaknesses: Water, Ice 
  • Status Weaknesses: Poison**, Sleep**, Paralysis**, Explosion**, Stun**, Fatigue**
  • Type: Fanged Beast
  • Habitat: Oil Spring Basin, Wyveria
  • Variants: Normal, Hardened

What kind of monster is this? The Ajarakan resembles a monkey with a spiky back. With its claws, it can scratch this back to create an effect that resembles a furnace.

Tips for your hunt

For a fight against Ajarakan, you should stock up on cold drinks or look for Frost Coats in the area – because Ajarakan loves as hot areas as possible. You can cool it down with Water Moss if it ignites. Bring Nullberries for the Fire Plague and deodorants for the Explosive Plague.

Both pest types can also be healed by dodging multiple times. Ranged fighters won’t get anywhere with normal arrows or ammunition because Ajarakan simply melts them – here you should rely on alternatives. Ajarakan’s arms are its weak points. The tail and back can be broken.

Loot

The creator of Dragon Ball found that a special about Son-Goku’s father is better than his own manga

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Akira Toriyama is the manga artist of Dragon Ball and has also had a say in some side projects. He is particularly fond of a anime special that does not come from his pen.

What kind of special is it? In Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku, the story revolves around Son Goku’s father, Bardock. It was released in 1990 and lasts a full 48 minutes.

The special shows Son Goku being born on the planet Vegeta, the home of the Saiyans. He is supposed to be sent to Earth to destroy all life there. Meanwhile, Bardock is on another planet, destroying all living things there.

He learns through a vision that his home planet is being destroyed by Freeza. He sees the Saiyans as a great threat and instructs his subordinates to eliminate all Saiyans. Bardock tries to warn his home planet in time, but no one believes him.

As fate would have it, the planet is destroyed by Freeza. Bardock also loses his life. The special was not created by Akira Toriyama himself, but by Mitsuo Hashimoto. However, the special episode is so good that it brought Toriyama to tears.

Start video
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – German Trailer for the Anime Film

Toriyama finds a special better than his manga

Why did Toriyama cry? At the end of the special, there is an emotional scene. After Bardock’s death, Son Goku’s life on Earth is shown and how he eventually starts the fight with Freeza. 

In an interview in Jump Gold Selection: Dragon Ball Z Anime Special II, he revealed that he even found this special episode better than his own manga (via Kazenshuu):

The special was good. I cried. How come you can make a story so much better than the original manga? (laughs) But I really thought: “So that’s how it was.” That last scene was really sad.

With the second-to-last sentence, Toriyama presumably means that the special fits well with his own story. In the manga itself, Son Goku only learns in the Granolah Arc that Bardock was his father and is long dead.

How do others find it? Among the other fans, the special is received fairly well. On MyAnimeList, the special has a rating of 7.58 out of 10 possible points. On IMDb, it is even 7.8 points. 

More about Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Super gets a reboot for the 4th time, completely changing the visuals with new scenes
von Jasmin Beverungen
I have been waiting for a new Dragon Ball game for ten years, the new trailer takes no minute to convince me
von Jasmin Beverungen
An episode of Dragon Ball is so rare that it was only aired once, and that was only in Japan
von Jasmin Beverungen

This makes the special rated slightly worse than Dragon Ball Z. The entire anime lies in the 8 range on both rating platforms. However, there is one film that will always be rated worse than anything else that has ever been produced for Dragon Ball: “As bad as Dragonball Evolution” – Hollywood has certainly messed up the next anime adaptation.

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

The loot shooter The Division 2 receives a new DLC 6 years after release – Ubisoft reveals price and release date

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

Fans of The Division 2 can be excited. A new expansion for the game will be released in May, which can be experienced both solo and in co-op mode.

What is this expansion? The Division 2 was released back in 2019, yet Ubisoft continues to deliver content for the game, which recently saw a resurgence in player numbers. The new season starts on May 27, 2025, and with it comes a completely new expansion called “Battle for Brooklyn.”

It is said to keep you occupied for between 6 and 10 hours and will cost €14.99 at release. You can pre-order the DLC in the Ubisoft Store starting April 24, 2025.

The centerpiece of the expansion is a new story that takes you to the contested Brooklyn.

Start video
The Division 2 celebrates with you 5th anniversary

Return to autumnal Brooklyn

What does “Battle for Brooklyn” offer? The new story can be experienced solo or cooperatively with friends. As the name suggests, it takes place in the aforementioned neighborhood of New York, specifically in the areas of Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo. These locations have largely been spared from the game’s conflicts in the past, but that is about to change.

The Cleaners and Rikers are marching into Brooklyn and want to disturb the peace. In the new campaign, players must tackle the threat. The story is designed to appeal to veterans and newcomers alike.

A highlight of the scenario is the season in which the story takes place. It is autumn in Brooklyn, the trees are slowly losing their leaves, and especially players of The Division 1 are likely to be pleased to see familiar places in a changed form. The neighborhood already appeared in the prologue of the first part.

The developers have provided a closer look at the planned content, which you can see in the following video:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content

In addition to the campaign, players can expect the following content:

  • 4 checkpoints
  • 12 world activities
  • 12 bounty locations
  • 8 hunter puzzles
  • An exclusive item, the Catalyst Exotic Mask, which causes status effect damage

Additionally, new abilities can be unlocked. Among other things, Smart Cover from The Division 1 is set to make a comeback. This allows players to improve cover or activate offensive and defensive buffs.

More on the topic
More on the topic
The Division 2 is finally moving forward: Details about the new DLC surface, but they don’t sound good
von Schuhmann
More on the topic
The Division 2 finally reveals first information about the new DLC after a long wait, but fans immediately notice a mistake
von Dariusz Müller
More on the topic
“Astonished that they are still supporting the game” – Ubisoft has not given up on The Division 2, brings new season
von Dariusz Müller

The DLC can be purchased normally for €14.99, but is also part of the “The Division 2 Gold” and “The Division 2 Ultimate Edition” editions. Fans can look forward to new adventures in the game and just have to wait until May 27, 2025. Are you excited about the new DLC? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Just recently, Ubisoft upset the fans of the game: Ubisoft finds new ways to disappoint the loyal fans of The Division 2 – they have had enough

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

Pokémon TCG Pocket reveals new expansion and the community already knows which card will dominate the meta

Johanna Johanna Reading time 2 minutes

With the new expansion Guardian of the Firmament, Pokémon TCG Pocket enters the next round. One card stands out directly, as it could shake up the new meta of the game.

What kind of card is it? It is the card “Rare Candy”, an Item card in Pokémon TCG Pocket. It was first introduced in the new trailer for the expansion Guardian of the Firmament.

The special thing about the card: It allows players to skip the first phase of evolving their Pokémon. To play the card, a basic Pokémon must already be on the field, and you must have the Phase-2 card, which is the final evolution stage of the card, already in hand.

If you now play the Rare Candy, you are allowed to place the Phase-2 card directly on the basic Pokémon, thus skipping the evolution to Phase 1. To do this, the Phase-1 card does not even have to be in the deck.

Start video
Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces new cards from the Guardian of the Firmament expansion

Community excited about Rare Candy card

What makes the card so special? The Rare Candy card saves a lot of time when it comes to cards that have two phases. After all, you simply skip the phase.

There are powerful evolutions that previously had a disadvantage due to long waiting times because of the two phases, and now they benefit from being able to act faster. After all, during the waiting time, they could have been attacked at any time and thus weakened. However, if they evolve faster, they can also attack more quickly.

How is the community reacting? The community is absolutely thrilled about the card. On reddit, the user Youispopio expressed his excitement for the card: “RARE CANDY IS REAL”. The comments under the post are similarly enthusiastic:

  • Independent_Fan_6435 writes (via reddit): “In a deck of 20 cards, this will significantly change the meta”
  • ManWithADog is visibly excited (via reddit): “RARE CANDY IS REAAAAAAAALLLLL”
  • WilsonsDream can finally play his favorite cards (via reddit): “I can finally use my two shiny Charizards”

What is the downside of the card? Even though the card allows skipping an evolution phase, it does not mean that ex-cards can necessarily attack faster. Many ex-cards still need a lot of energy to execute their powerful attacks, which must also be gathered first.

More about Pokémon TCG Pocket
Pokémon TCG Pocket: Codes – All Information in April 2026
von Paul Kutzner
7 strong spin-offs to Pokémon that are as good as the main parts
von Niko Hernes
Pokémon TCG Pocket Roadmap 2026 with Updates: All new sets and events at a glance
von Paul Kutzner

One card can benefit greatly from the Rare Candy: Gengar-ex. The card only requires three energies to attack and could therefore save one of its evolution stages. If an evolution can be skipped, it is ready to attack faster. More about Gengar-ex and how to build a deck for it can be found on MeinMMO: Pokémon TCG Pocket: Gengar ex Deck – Is it worth it?

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

“I have been in this industry for 5 minutes”: Voice actor helps with the soundtrack of Clair Obscur, gives himself a disadvantage

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Ben Starr is the English voice of Verso from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and is likely well-known to many players for his performance as Clive in Final Fantasy 16. The voice actor even sang on the soundtrack, although he may have overindulged the night before.

What was the downside for Ben Starr? The night before the recording for the Clair Obscur soundtrack started, Starr went out for drinks with his colleague Jennifer English, who voices Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3, and other colleagues.

He not only ordered tequila shots for himself but also for the whole round. Unfortunately, he got a bit too eager and ordered more than he could get rid of:

I think I introduced a large part of the team to tequila shots as the evening came to an end. I believe I bought about 20 tequilas and was the annoying person at a party saying, “Drink your tequila shot!”. Obviously, they didn’t want them, so I ended up with way too many left over and thought, “Well, then I’ll just drink the tequila shots myself”.

Whether Starr suffered from a hangover the next day, he did not reveal during the interview with Game Spot. Despite all the tequila, he showed up in the recording studio the next morning and sang for the Clair Obscur soundtrack.

Start video
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – JRPG with French Flair has Release Date

Voice actor also delivers a good performance as a singer

Did it harm him? As the publisher team reveals on X, they were satisfied with Ben Starr. Although Starr, as he says himself, has “only been in the industry for 5 minutes”, he delivered a good performance as a voice actor. The team writes that there is nothing Starr can’t do.

The press has also praised the soundtrack. In our own review on MeinMMO the soundtrack stands out particularly positively, but our sister sites GamePro and GameStar also praise the soundtrack in their reviews.

For those who want to be convinced of his performance: In a video on YouTube, you can see that Starr is part of the singers. From minute 8:39 you can see him briefly.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 improves the most boring feature of my beloved JRPGs significantly better
von Jasmin Beverungen
More on the topic
In a new role-playing game on Steam and PS5, you fight alongside stars from Gollum and Daredevil against a deadly painter
von Ody
More on the topic
In the DLC of Final Fantasy 16, the battles were my highlight, I was especially pleased about one of them as a player of Final Fantasy 14
von Jasmin Beverungen

Where do people know Ben Starr from? The voice actor is especially known for his role as Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy 16. In this role, he even won an award for Best Lead Actor at the Golden Joystick Awards 2023.

Ben Starr is also heard in Hades 2, albeit as Prometheus. The game convinced MeinMMO editor Dariusz Müller because he could really indulge in a skill. The ability fits perfectly with his lack of skill, as he himself writes: Hades 2 only needed 2 runs to convince me because one skill fits perfectly with my playstyle.

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

The first major PS5 game dares to launch at the same time as GTA 6 – It has a good chance of not getting overshadowed

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Ghost of Yotei is the successor to the popular Ghost of Tsushima. The PS5 game is set to release around the same time as GTA 6, which could potentially go smoothly.

What kind of game is this? Ghost of Yotei is the successor to Ghost of Tsushima, which was released in 2020. The story of the successor picks up 329 years later, continuing the narrative from the first part. 

  • Players take on the role of Atsu, a warrior belonging to the Onryo.
  • Her goal is to eliminate the Yotei Six, a group of masked outlaws who murdered her family.
  • As in Ghost of Tsushima, players can hack and slash or sneak through an open world in Hokkaido in third-person view while taking out numerous enemies.

Players should be able to choose the order in which they defeat the Yotei Six. The title will be released exclusively for the PS5 but might, like its predecessor, receive a PC version later on.

With a new trailer, Ghost of Yotei has announced its release. The PS5 title will be available on October 2, 2025. This could potentially coincide with the release of a major AAA game, which could cause problems.

Start video
Ghost of Yotei – Trailer for the PS5 game reveals release date

Ghost of Yotei may have to contend with strong competition

Why is the release problematic? So far, there are hardly any games announced for fall 2025. The latest date currently known is for Borderlands 4 on September 23, 2025. A few weeks later, it becomes increasingly risky, as GTA 6 is supposed to be released sometime in fall 2025.

Even major publishers are afraid of the release of GTA 6 and are planning their games around it. What the release of a major AAA game can mean for smaller titles was shown by the surprise release of Oblivion. Smaller indie games suffer the most from this. 

But larger games like Ghost of Yotei could also fall under the radar of many players, especially since it is an action title like GTA 6.

Could this turn out well? It is not yet set in stone when GTA 6 is supposed to be released. An insider is even confident that the release might be pushed to 2026. Thus, publishers could switch to fall 2025 without worry if the action game is pushed to the next year.

Moreover, Ghost of Tsushima was one of the most popular games of 2020. At the Game Awards, it won the award in the Players-Voice category, which is decided solely by the audience.

More on GTA 6
I played GTA 5 too early, and I fear it has ruined me for GTA 6
von Caroline Fuller
After Hacker Attack on GTA Developer: Leak Reveals Why Rockstar Is Not in a Hurry to Release GTA 6
von Dariusz Müller
If GTA 6 is postponed again, at least one actor from GTA 5 celebrates: “The longer they take, the cooler it will be”
von Sophia Weiss

It is possible that Ghost of Yotei and GTA 6 will not clash. A publisher jokingly boasted that they plan to release their title on the same day as the Rockstar game. The team is not afraid: One game publisher is the only one not afraid of GTA 6 and wants to release a game on the same day, at the same time

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

Twitch: Trymacs defends his friend against the attacks from Tanzverbot, his own community contradicts him

Johanna Johanna Reading time 2 minutes

Twitch streamer Max “Trymacs” Stemmler superficially commented on the topic of the dance ban during a stream. However, his community does not really believe his statements.

Who and what is it about? After his six-month absence from Twitch, Kilian “Tanzverbot” Heinrich returned to the platform. In a YouTube video, he provided insight into how he is doing at the moment. He took shots at his ex-girlfriend Lola “quiteLola” and his Twitch colleague Adam “SkylineTV” Wolke.

Tanzverbot claimed that Lola cheated on him with Adam and that the relationship with Lola is said to have overall robbed him of his will to live. Adam rejected the accusations in his own statement; Lola has not yet commented.

In another Twitch stream, Tanzverbot revealed more details and escalated the dispute over his relationship further. Many Twitch streamers shared their assessments of the situation, including MontanaBlack and Knossi.

Adam is friends with Trymacs and often works with him professionally, as well as with other Twitch streamers. He also commented on the topic.

Start video
Vom Pizza-Lieferant zu einem der größten deutschen Twitch-Streamer – Leben und Karriere von Trymacs in 2 Minuten

“Funny but, to hear such from Max”

What does Trymacs say about the topic? In a YouTube clip, Trymacs does not take sides. He finds it “crazy” that people are judging immediately, even though no one knows what happened. Even if it were true that Lola cheated on Tanzverbot with Adam, it is “embarrassing” to take sides right away without anyone knowing the truth.

How does the community react? The community is critical of Trymacs’ statements. They find it generally hypocritical that Trymacs immediately takes sides in other dramas or beefs on the internet, but here, when it comes to a buddy or colleague of his, he does not want to judge immediately.

So, the top comments under the YouTube clip include the following:

  • Camu_cos writes: “Suddenly not so cool when it involves a colleague.”
  • DiesesJenesKLEINES thinks: “Funny but, to hear such from Max, who usually gets totally excited about every beef and exploits it completely.”
  • koarl3620 believes: “Trymacs is only saying this because he is good friends with Adam and wants him to be involved in further IRL tours. With many other YouTube reactions, he usually judges immediately too.”
  • Vegeta.00 writes: “How all the big YouTubers hope that it’s not true so that the ‘best’ IRL YouTuber Adam can continue to succeed at events.”

Adam is well-connected in the German Twitch scene, as he was one of the first to shape IRL streaming. Many Twitch streamers also use his services as a cameraman. Therefore, they are probably not judging as quickly as in other conflicts.

More about Twitch
More on the topic
2 Twitch streamers fulfill a stereotype so much that they are shocked when their colleague does not participate
von Johanna
More on the topic
Twitch: The new update of Clash of Clans endangers Trymacs’ relationship
von Johanna
More on the topic
The German Twitch now sounds like Breaking Bad, as everyone is playing the new hype game on Steam
von Johanna

Almost everyone in the German Twitch space is currently commenting on the situation regarding Tanzverbot. Many also demand neutrality from the viewers until the situation is clarified further. Twitch streamer Metashi12 also shares his view. He has his own opinion: Streamer says about the drama surrounding Tanzverbot that Twitch does not work this way

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

Twitch highlights 4 German streamers and their events, but one of the biggest misses out

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

Twitch has particularly highlighted four German streaming events in a statement, but one of the biggest streamers was not praised.

These streams were especially highlighted by Twitch: On April 24, 2025, Twitch revealed some exciting insights into the platform’s statistics. The platform’s data shows that German streamers attract the most viewers when they host special events.

Among the biggest German streams that Twitch particularly highlighted in 2024 were:

  • eliasn97 (Final of the Icon League)
  • ballerleague (Season 1 Finale)
  • RevedTV (Stream Awards 2023 & 2024)
  • Amar (VIEWINGPARTY BOSS FNCS FINALS)

The Baller League and the Icon League are futsal leagues in which various streamers and other public figures participate and compete with their own teams. However, these teams do not consist of streamers who have never played football themselves, but rather actual football players who are signed by the respective teams for the league.

The Stream Awards organized by Reved, on the other hand, is an annual award ceremony that honors German streamers and special moments from their streams. However, Reved has since withdrawn from streaming.

Start video
These are the 5 most relevant German streamers on Twitch in 2024, according to Google

No recognition for the voice of Generation Z

Which streamer missed out? Kevin “Papaplatte” Teller is one of the biggest streamers in Germany. The 28-year-old streamer had the most watch time on German Twitch in 2024 after Elias Nerlich (eliasn97) and has the third most followers on the streaming platform after MontanaBlack and Trymacs.

Papaplatte himself organizes some big events that regularly attract tens of thousands of viewers on Twitch, including his caravan trip, the “Edeltour”, where he was at one point one of the biggest Twitch streamers in the world.

However, Twitch did not give the streamer a special mention – unlike the Stream Awards, where he won the award for best duo with his good friend BastiGHG. The previous year, Papaplatte even won too many awards at the ceremony, which attracted criticism from other streamers.

More about Twitch
Twitch streamers receive $4,000 for 6 words in a 6-second clip
von Johanna
HandOfBlood invites Klaas on Twitch, stole a format from him back then
von Johanna
Streamers ride through Japan on Twitch, raising over 1.2 million euros
von Johanna

LoL dominates German Twitch, but GTA is even more popular

How Germany performs on Twitch: Twitch also provided some insights into which games are popular in Germany and how Germany performs compared to other countries.

In the entire DACH area – that is, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – over 49 million hours of gaming content were streamed. Viewers spent more than 1.3 billion hours in front of their screens watching streamers play various games.

Germany thus has the most streamed hours as well as the second most viewed hours in the EMEA region (Economic Area Europe).

What games do viewers prefer to watch? League of Legends was especially popular in Germany. Streamers like NoWay4u and Tolkin stand out, but also HandOfBlood, Trymacs, and Broeki. In international comparison, however, the MOBA had to yield to GTA V and its roleplay community.

Additionally, the shooters Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Valorant were very popular on Twitch – just like the crowd favorite Minecraft, which was still watched for 379 million hours worldwide in 2024. Currently, Minecraft is popular not only on Twitch but also in theaters. However, the biggest problem of the film sits in front of the screens: The film adaptation of Minecraft has a major problem, and that is not the film, but the viewers.

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

V Rising receives a huge update, shows in the trailer how you can beautify your vampire castle

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

V Rising is getting its next big update. After the first major update “Secrets of Gloomrot”, Update 1.1 “Invaders of Oakveil” takes you to lands full of dark magic featuring a nasty snake queen. The trailer showcases the new content.

What kind of game is this?

  • In V Rising, you play as a vampire who has lost their powers and is now trying to regain their former strength.
  • To do this, you obviously drain liters of blood to become stronger and collect special “V Blood” from powerful bosses to gain new abilities. You can also create servants.
  • In terms of gameplay, V Rising, like many survival games, focuses on exploration, crafting, and building. However, the emphasis is on the action gameplay for which the developers at Stunlock Studios are known.

This is what the update contains: “Invaders of Oakveil” brings 3 new weapons, 7 new spells, and numerous new enemies into the game. You can explore new areas and fight the enemies that reside there to gain new abilities and try out skills. There are also two bosses involved.

However, the focus is on improvements to your castle. The most important new feature is the arena that you can build in your castle. There, you can hold tournaments with other players and create your own rules for duels, team fights, and more. The castle will also get:

  • a stable for your horses
  • a fusion forge to customize equipment
  • a new prison for blood banks
  • enhanced workshops and new decorations

The alchemy system is also getting an overhaul. You can, for example, enchant weapons and strengthen yourself with potions. In the official blog post about “Invaders of Oakveil”, you’ll find all the information. The update will be released on April 29 for Steam and PS5. The trailer shows the new content in action:

Start video
Der Trailer zu Update 1.1 „Invaders of Oakveil“ in V Rising

Still thousands of players monthly after 3 years

V Rising first launched in Early Access in May 2022 and attracted over 150,000 players at that time (via steamcharts). Over the years, the numbers have fluctuated, rising to several tens of thousands during major updates.

However, for several months now, the average player count has stabilized around 4,000, sometimes more, and it remains consistent. V Rising holds a rating of 87% on Steam, which is “very positive.”

More on the topic
More on the topic
Only Rust is bigger: Survival game with vampires has 132,000 players on Steam, is in 2nd place in the genre
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
5 games that surprisingly exploded on Steam
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
Can I still start with the new Steam hit V Rising or will everyone beat me up?
von Benedict Grothaus

Players praise the improvements made over the last years. Where the game may have been dull initially, 50 hours can now easily be spent. Especially the vampire style and the dark gothic aesthetic in the beautiful world are well received, as is the crafting, blood, and combat system.

Criticism mainly concerns the occasional resets of the official servers and that as a single player on these servers, there are few chances. However, there are private servers with their own rules. Even in 2025, V Rising is still among the best survival games for PC, Xbox, and PS5.

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

The Surprising Release of Oblivion Has a Big Disadvantage

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

The remastered version of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion came out of nowhere. After the game’s reveal, it was released immediately. Certain games suffer because of this.

What is the problem? Many players are excited about the surprise release of Oblivion Remastered.  Shadow drops like this happen every now and then, most recently with RuneScape: Dragonwilds. However, such announcements cause a lot of frustration on the publisher and developer side. Indie publishers, in particular, are heavily affected by such shadow drops, as Jónas Antonsson, CEO of Raw Fury, writes on X:

I loved Oblivion (when I was younger) and still love it, and I’m personally excited that it’s being brought back to life and introduced to a whole new generation of players. 

But from the perspective of indies and indie publishers, that’s exactly the problem with such massive shadow drops. Everything gets buried more or less. We don’t have the money or the muscle to throw around, so everything is carefully planned. Including the timing of the release, based on other releases, etc. – to maximize the chances of grabbing attention.

He personally loves Oblivion, but he also feels the pain that the Raw Fury team must be experiencing right now. They are taking on the publishing of the horror game Post Trauma, which is said to be inspired by classic PS2 titles, and have been preparing for the release for years.

The game was released on April 22, 2025, coinciding with the release of Oblivion. Normally, indie publishers try to schedule their releases as far away from major AAA titles as possible. This is not possible when the release happens spontaneously.

Start video
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered – Official Trailer for the Role-Playing Game

AAA Title Releases Determine the Release of Smaller Games

What could this mean? The significant impacts that the release of larger titles can have are evident in the case of GTA 6. Even the biggest publishers fear the release and plan the release of their own games around the planned release of GTA 6.

The hype for GTA 6 and other AAA titles can cause players to lose interest in other titles. Such large games draw “time and money” away from the video game market, causing smaller titles to sink and not achieve the profits and attention they had hoped for.

This, in turn, can lead to the worst-case scenario where no sequels are developed because of the significant losses incurred. This is why indie publishers think more carefully about when to release their game.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Oblivion Remastered: The Best Cheats in the List – How to Open the Console
von Christos Tsogos
More on the topic
With the remaster of Oblivion, not only is the role-playing game returning, but also a paid horse armor
von Niko Hernes
More on the topic
Fans recreate Oblivion in Skyrim, receive no trouble, but a gift
von Jasmin Beverungen

Are there also winners? Besides Oblivion, another major RPG has released: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Publisher Kepler Interactive jokes on X that it’s “like Barbenheimer.” With this, the publisher refers to a similar situation in the film sector: Barbie and Oppenheimer overshadowed many movies that were released in the same year.

However, the competition led to Oppenheimer and Barbie becoming major successes despite their simultaneous release period. The same could be true for Clair Obscur, as the game has received above-average praise from the press. You can read MeinMMO’s review here: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in review – The most emotional RPG of the year, but you have to earn the story

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

Player builds a good gaming PC for only 29 euros, can even play modern titles

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A gamer has built a gaming PC from used parts and paid less than 30 euros. While the hardware is no longer quite new, it still offers more than enough performance for some games.

A gamer proudly reports on Reddit that he has built a new gaming PC. He paid only about 30 euros for the entire setup.

What’s inside the “new” gaming PC:

  • Case: Dell T7810 Workstation
  • CPU: Intel Xeon e5-2603 v3
  • RAM: 16 GB DDR4 (4×4 GB)
  • Graphics card: GTX 980 Ti
  • Power supply: Proprietary power supply from Dell with 685 watts
  • Storage: 120 GB SSD

For the case with CPU, power supply, and memory, he paid $6.99, $15 for the graphics card, and another $10 for the SSD. In the end, he spent just under $33 for his entire gaming PC. Converted, that’s about 30 euros.

Start video
Battlemage: Check out Intel’s new graphics cards in the video

Hardware is outdated but still more than sufficient for many games

However, the hardware is not really new anymore: the GTX 980 Ti is from 2015 and is now almost 10 years old. The same applies to the installed CPU.

How fast is the hardware still today? If you mainly play in Full HD and older titles, then the GTX 980 Ti is still more than sufficient and can compete with a new RTX 4060 (via YouTube.com):

  • Borderlands 3 (Ultra, 54 FPS),
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (High, 45 FPS)
  • GTA V (Ultra, 66 FPS),
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 (Very high, 64 FPS)

However, you should be aware that with such an old graphics card, you will not receive software updates anymore and also do not have access to new features like DLSS and Ray tracing. For DLSS, you need at least a graphics card from the RTX 2000 series. There are further restrictions to consider for DLSS 4.0.

More on the topic
“You must behave like professionals”: Pilots go viral because they bark and meow at each other over the radio
von Nico Scheibel
Startup relies completely on AI tool for daily work, suddenly loses access for the entire company
von Claudio Niggenkemper
I change a setting immediately when I first start a game on PC and you should do the same
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Old hardware is only worth it in a few cases

Is old hardware worth it at all? The problem with very old components is often that they self-limit. For example: You can only equip a 10-year-old processor with a similarly old motherboard and DDR3 memory. Therefore, you will never experience modern features. Additionally, older CPUs often do not operate very cost-efficiently. The Intel Xeon e5-2603 v3 used here at least supports DDR4.

For modern hardware, you already have to replace the entire system (motherboard, memory, and CPU). Upgrading old hardware with similarly old hardware is rarely worthwhile. A list of hardware you should not buy today can be found in the following article directly on MeinMMO: 7 upgrades for your gaming PC that you should definitely not buy

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

A villain in Marvel is so powerful that we will probably never see him in theaters

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

In the Marvel universe, there are many characters that are stronger than anything one can imagine. Even villains like Thanos seem like mere mortals in comparison. One of the strongest beings in the multiverse lives at the lowest point of hell and is responsible for the Hulk.

Which being is it? In the Marvel universe, there are not only humans, Norse gods, or countless aliens. There is also a mystical realm and hell. It consists of several areas, and in the lowest one exists The One Below All.

He is the counterpart to The One Above All and a monstrous entity that wishes to destroy everything in the universe because he hates the mere existence of things. He also has an important connection to the Hulk.

Start video
The Incredible Hulk – Trailer for the Forgotten MCU Movie from 2008

A being that exists solely for destruction

How did The One Below All come into existence? The One Above All created everything in the Marvel multiverse and also its own existence. His task is pure creation, which comes from his love. However, another being came into being without being created by him: The Mother of Horrors.

She created the powerful being Udru to defeat The One Above All. To defend against Udru, The One Above All transformed into The One Below All. Rather than creating things, the only purpose of The One Below All was destruction.

The One Below All hates everything that exists, and his ultimate goal is the destruction of all existence so that nothing can be created anymore. At his core, The One Below All has no personality; it is an entity that simply wants to destroy.

To prevent him from causing harm to the multiverse, he exists in the Below-Place, which can only be entered through green doors. However, he can still influence the universe, specifically in the form of gamma radiation.

More on the topic
More on the topic
The Hulk was originally supposed to look completely different, but Stan Lee had to change him
von Niko Hernes

The Hulk is intertwined with him

What does The One Below All do with gamma radiation? The One Below All can manifest through extreme gamma radiation. However, the green doors must be opened for that. One such incident happened when Bruce Banner developed a gamma bomb that exploded.

Due to the gamma explosion, a green door opened, and Bruce was infected with gamma radiation and transformed into the Hulk. Through these green doors, The One Below All can infect other beings and turn them into his avatars.

He also tried this with the Hulk and the Leader, both created through gamma radiation. One of the main tasks of the avatars of The One Below All is to use the Hulk and his power to destroy all existing beings.

The One Below All accomplished this with the Earth-TRN781 Hulk (via Marvel Database). He destroyed Bruce Banner’s soul and took over the Hulk’s body. This created the Breaker of Worlds, who has managed to destroy almost all life in 10 billion years.

Not only is the origin story important, but also the parallels to the Hulk. The One Below All is not a new entity; it is a counterpart to The One Above All, just as the Hulk is the destructive side of Bruce Banner.

More on the topic
More on the topic
The next great Marvel hero after Captain America is not an American, but a Russian with a beer belly
von Niko Hernes
More on the topic
The latest Marvel movie tells the story of the woman who drove everyone crazy in Marvel Rivals
von Ody

How can one read the story of the Hulk and The One Below All? Most of the content for the story can be found in the Immortal Hulk series by Al Ewing. The series ran from 2018 to 2021. Although it sounds like science fiction, there are many horror elements in the story. Furthermore, the upcoming film villain is not to be underestimated: The new villain in the upcoming Marvel film is so strong that he could easily defeat Hulk and Thor

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Marvel Database
  2. Comics Explained auf YouTube
  3. Screen Rant
  4. Titelbildquelle: Marvel.com

A wireless controller is a good alternative on PC if other controllers offer too few buttons

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 5 minutes

PowerA offers a wireless controller for PC and cloud gaming with the OPS V3. MyMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann was able to test the model.

[toc]

With the OPS V3, PowerA has a controller priced around 100 euros in its range. “OPS” stands for Overpowered Series. For around 100 euros, you get a comprehensive package of mechanical switches, hall-effect sticks, and plenty of additional buttons.

But is the extra cost compared to the official controller really worth it? I tested the controller and explain where its strengths and weaknesses lie.

PowerA OPS V3 in review, quick overview:

Contents, design, and structure

What does the package include? The package of the controller includes, in addition to the controller, a USB-C to A cable, a wireless adapter, and a mini charging station where you can charge the controller and also connect the wireless adapter.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

How is the controller structured? The OPS V3 is identical in layout on the front side to the official Xbox controller: Both models feature an asymmetrical design and use the official Xbox layout. In the case of the official Xbox controller, the D-pad is slightly more ergonomic.

On the back side, however, the OPS V3 differs significantly from the official model: There are 4 additional buttons on the back that you can assign functions or actions to. However, PowerA has omitted so-called paddles that many premium controllers have on the back. Paddles would have been the more ergonomic choice overall.

PowerA OPS V3 Pro back with additional buttons
The back of the PowerA OPS V3 (Pro): Instead of back paddles, there are back buttons. These are easy to reach but not very ergonomic.

Additionally, you can adjust how far you can press the triggers with two levers: at the lowest setting, you can fully press the triggers, and at the highest setting, only slightly.

On the top side of the controller, there are two additional buttons (AGL3 and AGR3) between the triggers that you can freely assign.

PowerA OPS V3 back detail view

Build quality

The controller is made almost entirely of plastic. Unlike the official model, PowerA uses hall-effect sticks for its controller: These have the advantage of wearing out significantly less than conventional sticks. This contributes to a long durability. Another plus point is the mechanical switches under the buttons and the D-pad.

However, it’s a pity that you cannot remove and replace the battery. Here, the standard Xbox controller has a clear advantage.

In direct comparison to similar controllers, such as the Elite Series 2 or the Razer Wolverine V2/V3, the build quality does not seem completely convincing, as the other two controllers also feature metal components and replaceable parts.

Software

For the software, the controller uses the manufacturer’s “PC HQ” app. However, during installation, I first received a warning message from Windows:

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented the launch of an unknown app. Running this app may pose a risk to your PC.

This is not very reassuring at first, but it does not pose a major obstacle to installation. The software itself is clear and well-structured. Through the menus, you can easily set up the controller and configure the additional buttons.

What I really don’t like is the font size: it is extremely small and cannot be enlarged or scaled. It’s not very clear in my screenshots, but I struggle to read the text. Another downside is that the software is entirely in English and cannot be switched to German.

PowerA OPS V3 Pro Software
PowerA OPS V3 Pro Software
The software is well laid out, but the text is extremely small.

Ergonomics and weight

Weight: At 366 grams, the controller is slightly heavier than the official Xbox controller, which weighs around 280 grams with the built-in battery. However, my partner, who exclusively plays with controllers, explained to me that the higher weight is hardly noticeable in everyday use and is therefore not disruptive.

Ergonomics: The OPS V3 feels good in the hand, thanks in part to the rubberized grips. The four additional buttons on the back are easy to reach, both for my large hands and for the smaller hands of my partner.

The two buttons on the top side (AGR3 and AGL3), however, are hardly reachable in everyday use; I have to stretch my index fingers, which normally rest on the triggers, quite far, which I find uncomfortable.

PowerA OPS V3 Pro with Xbox Controller
The PowerA OPS V3 Pro and the official Xbox controller compared. At first glance, they look very similar.

Gameplay: Fantastic feel thanks to microswitches

How does it play with the controller? The mechanical switches under the buttons and the D-pad feel really crisp. This makes the feedback from the buttons feel much better than with the official Xbox controller, where the buttons always feel a bit soft and spongy.

I also really like the adjustable trigger depth. This allows you to control the acceleration much more precisely and finely in racing games.

There were no issues on my desktop PC when I connected the controller either via the dongle or the charging hub. However, my partner’s PC constantly lost connection between the adapter and the controller. At the same time, the Xbox controller that my partner was using on the same PC functioned without any problems.

Battery life: Without RGB lighting, the battery lasts about 30 hours, which is roughly as durable as the official controller. However, with active RGB lighting, the playtime shortens significantly. At least, you can easily turn off the RGB lighting via a dedicated button on the underside of the controller.

PowerA OPS V3 Pro side view
PowerA OPS V3 Pro in the upright view. The grip is rubberized and relatively wide.

Conclusion: A good controller with many features for 100 euros

Who is the controller worth it for? If the standard Xbox controller with its standard functions is not enough for you on PC, then the PowerA OPS V3 offers itself as an upgrade for about 40 euros more. Especially the mechanical buttons feel very precise and accurate, and for PC, you get a very good overall package. The price of around 100 euros is very fair for the controller.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

Alternatives:

  • The Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 can be had in the Core Edition for around 110 euros. I like the build quality a little better. However, additional components like paddles are only available for an extra fee (about 25 euros), or you have to buy the complete package of the Elite Series V2 directly.
  • The Razer Wolverine V2 is now available for around 70 euros and is also a high-quality controller with mechanical buttons and adjustable triggers.
  • The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is quite expensive at around 150 euros but offers magnetic thumbsticks and mechanical switches.

You can also find more controllers in our buying guide for controllers for PC and Xbox.

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

A new skin in LoL costs as much as 5 games, it’s so complicated that you need a guide to buy it

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 3 minutes

In League of Legends, the skins are not only an important source of revenue for Riot, many players enjoy playing their favorite champions in a new outfit. However, since last year, there have been controversial gacha skins that require you to dig deep into your pockets. A player explains how to do this most efficiently.

What are the gacha skins? With the release of Arcane Season 2, the first Exalted skin was released. These are special skins that can only be found in the Sanctum. This is a gacha mechanic where you buy Sparks that unlock random cosmetic items. Previously, there were also the Mythic Chromas.

The biggest prize is the Exalted skin, which you can unlock with a probability of 0.5%. However, after 80 pulls, you are guaranteed to receive the skin. For this, you need 32,000 RP, but you can only buy a package of 33,500 RP for €244.99 in the store. The current Exalted skin is Sahnz-Uzal Mordekaiser.

This skin has been criticized by players because you either need a lot of luck or have to invest a lot of money. A player has now presented a method to obtain the skin and maybe even save some money.

Start video
Das ist LoL – Einmal richtig ehrlich erklärt

Player shows method to save money

What is this method? The user Spoons-C shows in a Reddit thread with over 3000 upvotes a method for players who desperately want to obtain the new Mordekaiser skin. He also emphasizes that this method is for people who want to get the skin. He does not want to encourage anyone.

Instead of going for the large package of 33,500 RP, he recommends taking a gradual approach:

  • 1. Get the RP package for €4.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 0.5%)
  • 2. Get the RP package for €10.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 1.99%)
  • 3. Get the RP package for €10.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 3.92%)
  • 4. Get the RP package for €10.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 5.38%)
  • 5. Get the RP package for €21.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 8.66%)
  • 6. Get the RP package for €34.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 13.93%)
  • 7. Get the RP package for €49.99 (at this step, you have a chance of 21.32%)
  • 8. Get the RP package for €99.99 (after this step, you will have had 80 pulls and a chance of 100%)

It is important that you pull at every step, as this gives you a chance to get the skin earlier. 1 in 5 players can save €100 through this method and get the skin early. However, note that with this method you receive 1,500 RP less than if you buy the large package for €244.99.

Is this a valid method? Even with this method, it is very expensive. Only if you absolutely want the skin should you consider spending so much money.

Even if you draw the skin before the 80 pulls, it is likely that you will spend over €100 for it. With that, you could buy 10 regular skins.

Additionally, it is also a very labor-intensive method, as you have to buy RP packages 8 times. Whether it is worth it for a single skin is something everyone must decide for themselves.

More on the topic
More on the topic
LoL fights with EU regulations: It’s about youth protection and a champion
von Schuhmann
More on the topic
An Unpopular Champion in LoL Holds a Sad Record That Lux Fans Couldn’t Even Dream Of
von Niko Hernes
More on the topic
LoL is getting a new mode where you just have to fight
von Niko Hernes

Since the release of the Exalted skins, Riot has been criticized by parts of the player base. This is also because many skins, according to the opinion of some players, do not justify their high price. However, the community also has criticisms of free skins: LoL: Players hate a new skin that repeats exactly the mistakes Riot made 2 months ago

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

Players fear that the new Battle Pass in Diablo 4 is a hidden price increase, calculating the rewards through

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

Blizzard changes how the Battle Pass works in Diablo 4 with the upcoming Season 8. In particular, unwanted rewards should be manageable for players. However, some are now calculating and saying: overall, there is simply less value. Is that true?

This is what changes with the Battle Pass:

So what is the problem with it? In the official blog, Blizzard has already shown the reliquaries and some of the rewards. There, the prices are also visible. If you buy the reliquaries individually, you pay 500 platinum (roughly 5 euros) more than for the Battle Pass in total, which includes all reliquaries.

A player has now made a comparison to the old Battle Pass based on the shown screenshots (via Reddit). He finds significantly fewer cosmetics for the same price:

Season 7Season 8
3 Armor pieces (one of them variation)2 Armor pieces
24 Weapon skins10-14 Weapon skins
5 Emotes0 Emotes
2 Portals2 Portals
2 Mounts2 Mounts
2 Mount Armors3-4 Mount Armors
No Pet1 Pet
38 Cosmetics in total20-25 Cosmetics in total

However, what stands out is that the platinum rewards are almost completely missing. In the old Battle Pass, one could earn back 666 platinum, in the new one only 200 – which are included in the free path. In theory, every 5th Battle Pass is therefore completely free.

Start video
Diablo 4: Der Gameplay-Trailer zu Season 8 mit Belial

“Great for free players, terrible for premium users”

The data is based solely on the shown screenshots and it is not yet clear whether all rewards are really shown in their final form, or if something will change. In its current form, the new Battle Pass is simply as expensive for less content.

MeinMMO has submitted an inquiry to Blizzard regarding the Battle Pass. A response is still pending.

In the comments on the Reddit post, players accuse Blizzard of taking advantage of premium customers. Those who pay get less out of it – but at least the players who play for free now have better rewards. And being able to choose what one wants is at least useful, even if it is no consolation.

More on the topic
More on the topic
In Diablo 4, you will soon have an easier time finding bosses, but a harder time obtaining their loot
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
Diablo Chief Finds Battle Passes ‘Outdated’, Teases Something New for Diablo 4
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
Blizzard changes direction on Diablo 4, explains how to handle overpowering builds in the new season
von Benedict Grothaus

Many users on Reddit refuse to invest again after 7 seasons in which they bought the Battle Pass. They do not like the direction and the paid cosmetics are not good enough to warrant payment. The free path is sufficient.

At the moment, Diablo 4 is quite caught in the crossfire. With the new season and upcoming changes, Blizzard is trying many new things that are often not well received by veterans and habitual gamers. Diablo is often critically discussed, but currently more than ever: Diablo 4 actually brings exactly what fans demand, yet they still complain: ‘You always find something’

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