A new crime series on Netflix is currently ranked number 2 in the most-watched series worldwide. It is also well-received in Germany. The reason for this could be the setting and the country of production.
Which series is it about? The Åre Murders is a new series that was released on February 6, 2025, on Netflix. The story is based on the book of the same name written by author Viveca Sten.
Hanna is a police officer from Stockholm who was left by her partner and suspended from her job.
She moves into her sister’s holiday home in the Swedish ski resort Åre. There, a young woman disappeared just before Hanna’s arrival.
She is unofficially assigned to the case since the local police station is understaffed. She becomes Daniel’s partner. They struggle to gain each other’s trust.
Since the ski resort is located in the depths of Sweden, the two detectives also have to contend with the harsh weather conditions.
The first season available on Netflix includes 5 episodes, each lasting between 35 to 57 minutes.
In the trailer for the series, you can see that Åre would actually be a dream ski vacation destination:
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The Åre Murders: The Official Trailer for the Netflix Series
The Åre Murders is becoming the most-watched series
How good is it? Just 5 days after its release, the crime series is becoming the most-watched series on Netflix (via FlixPatrol). It is ranked number 2 in the world in terms of most-watched series, and in Germany, it even lands at number 1.
On IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, however, it only receives average ratings. With 2,575 reviews submitted, the Netflix series achieves a 6.7/10 on IMDb, while on the other platform it has 73 out of 100 %. Since not many votes have been cast yet, it may change its rating.
What do viewers like about it? Among the comments on YouTube, there are some fans questioning why people in Scandinavia are so good in the crime genre. The actors are also praised. So if you are a fan of murder mystery, you should give The Åre Murders a chance.
The genre of Scandinavian crime series is also referred to as Nordic Crime or Nordic Killing. If you want to see more movies from this genre, this list from MeinMMO might help you: 5 strong Nordic crime series for a gloomy TV evening.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
You want to get started with Palworld, but you don’t know where to set up your first base? MeinMMO will help you choose the right location.
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Are you looking for a suitable place for your base or looking for tips on what to pay attention to? MeinMMO has gathered important information for you and explains what you should keep in mind to ensure a good start. You can find the best tips for starting in Palworld in the following article.
Tips and Recommendations: Here we present you with a few things to keep in mind. If you want to see our tip for the best campsite directly, then click on the recommendation in the list:
The article was first published in January 2024. On 11.02.25, we updated the article and added a few new recommendations for a good start. We also adjusted the structure for better clarity.
Last updates: 11.02.2025, 06.02.2025, 29.01.2024
Space for your base
Make sure you have plenty of space when building your campsite. Some buildings, such as the livestock farm or breeding farm, require a lot of space. Your Pals also need beds which you will need to place somewhere, or they will become unhappy.
Avoid tight areas surrounded by water or cliffs, as there is little room, and the game often denies you permission to build. It’s best to look for an open area where you can expand and have plenty of space for your farms and production.
Tip: If you are unhappy with your position, you can change the location of your base at any time by relocating your Palbank. During the “move,” most buildings will remain in place, and you will need to rebuild them at the new location.
Protection and Safety for your Pals
If you have activated the “Raids” feature, you will regularly get uninvited visits from hostile Pals or enemy marauders. They will try to destroy your base and kill your Pals. So, choose a location that you can defend well. A steep wall behind you, for example, is practical.
Some Pals are also aggressive and will attack you on sight. You can tell this when an exclamation mark appears over their heads. You should also avoid settling too close to them, as that could end badly for your base. Sometimes there are territorial fights between the Pals: If two level-30 Mammorests carry out their territorial fight in your settlement, you will have no chance.
Tip: We have experienced that the pathfinding of certain enemies is so poor that they cannot overcome certain obstacles like steep walls or small hills and end up getting stuck in trees and rocks. After a while, the attacks will stop on their own, and you do not have to defeat all the enemies.
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Palworld: Feybreak – Trailer presents free update with loads of new content
Important Resources for Starting Your Base
For your first base, you will primarily need wood, stone, and Paldium. Later on, other materials like ore, coal, or sulfur will come into play. So, be sure to position your base so that you have a stone or at least an ore deposit nearby. Otherwise, you will have to mine the materials yourself, and you can’t leave that work to your Pals.
Tip: You can later establish a lumberjack and a quarry, making you independent from the available trees and stones on the map. Paldium and iron deposits can only be found on the map and cannot be built.
Other resources, such as food, wool, or grain, can be produced by you later on without needing to pay attention to your surroundings.
Changes with Feybreak and Sakurajima
This is important: With the past two major updates Feybreak and Sakurajima, new buildings have been added to Palworld. These include several new mines that you can build yourself: You will no longer need a coal, sulfur, or quartz deposit nearby, as new mines have been added with the latest updates.
This way, you are completely independent of natural resources, and you have much more freedom when placing a base.
Observe your surroundings and see which Pals are nearby. Especially recommended starters in Palworld like Lamball, Foxparks, Chikipi, and Cattiva should be close by. We would not recommend settling in a high-level area.
A few of the best Pals from Palworld can already be found in the starting zone if you want to get off to a good start.
You can find the good starter Lamball right in the starting zone.
Recommendations for the best campsite in Palworld
Are you looking for a good starting point for your campsite in Palworld? We have selected three very good starting points for you below, with which we have already had many good experiences.
Tip: If you are unhappy with your position, you can change the location of your base at any time by relocating your Palbank. However, during the “move,” most buildings will remain in place, and you will need to rebuild them at the new location.
Waterfall at the Plateau of Beginnings (227, -485)
Here is the position on the map.Here you can see the best option in the landscape with the resources.
Location: Plateau of Beginnings
Coordinates: 227, -485
Resources: Wood, Stone, Ore, Paldium, Red Berries
Common Pals: Lambal, Cativa, Dinossom, Chikipi
Level Recommendation: 1 – 15
Why is this a good option? A very good option for your first base can be found directly in the starting zone, slightly north of the first fast travel point. This means you can get started right after the game starts and do not have to walk far. The area also has several advantages:
On one side, you are protected by a river and a steep wall, so you only need to worry about one side, which you can close with a wall. Thanks to the elevation, you can quickly see if enemies are approaching.
There are plenty of trees that you can chop down at the beginning for your buildings. At the start, every building and tool requires large amounts of wood.
Additionally, there is a large ore deposit and Paldium near the river.
With Lamball and Chikipi, you also have good starter Pals nearby that you can catch and utilize.
There are lots of Pals nearby that you can catch or defeat. Catching Pals is an excellent way to quickly level up in Palworld.
Campsite in the Fortress Ruins (180, -390)
Location: Fortress Ruins
Coordinates: 180, -390
Resources: Wood, Stone, Ore, Paldium, Red Berries.
Common Pals: Lambal, Teafant, Lifmunk, Eikthyrdeer
Level Recommendation: 1 – 15
The Fortress Ruins is a small area north of the point where you usually start the game. The area already offers you natural defensive structures due to the ruins, which can be easily integrated into your own base. In the fortress area, you will already find ores, and to the west on an elevation, there is an additional large ore deposit.
Westward by the river, you will find plenty of berries as well as Paldium for your Palspheres.
Campsite at the Beach by the Plateau of Beginnings (256, -552)
Location: South of the Plateau of Beginnings
Coordinates: 256, -552
Resources: Wood, Stone, Ore, Paldium, Dungeon with enemies and Pals
Common Pals: Lambal, Cativa, Chikipi
Level Recommendation: 1 – 14
The beach is located in the southwestern area of your starting point. To reach it, you have to traverse the ruin at the start and descend to the beach. The descent and the return up are not exactly easy.
At the beach, you will find not only plenty of space but also Paldium deposits which are very useful for the start of the game if you want to create spheres. Additionally, you will find right next to it the dungeon “Cave of the Gentle Hills,” which is suitable from level 13. Here you can find Pals and especially resources from Syndicate enemies. Some players also report that they are spared from attacks (raids) by robbers at the beach.
All Guides to Palworld: Are you looking for more tips, tricks, and help with Palworld? Then check out MeinMMO. We are following the game for you and have compiled all guides that should help you into a clear list: Palworld Guides: All tips, tricks, and Pals at a glance
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein is quite taken by the world in Monster Hunter Wilds. One innovation has particularly crept into his heart. And its impact on the hunts could be far greater than many have previously suspected.
Monster Hunter Wilds places a strong focus on an immersive world and a coherent ecosystem. This is a point that has personally appealed to me from the very beginning. Therefore, I paid special attention to it during my demo session as part of the event in Hamburg.
This feeling of a coherent, vibrant world that you can immerse yourself in for hours captivated me immediately. Above all, the innovations surrounding the behaviors of the monsters drew my attention.
One aspect particularly fascinated me: the new herd mechanics. Ever since their announcement, I have been thinking about how they could possibly change the game.
During the demo session, I was able to get to know several different herds and test their impact on solo hunts. However, my thirst for knowledge was not quenched. I wanted to know how this could affect multiplayer and what thoughts were important to the developers in creating this mechanic.
That’s why I had to seize my chance in the interview with Game Director Yuya Tokuda and Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto to learn more about it.
A compilation of the gameplay footage of my hunt on Rompopolo can be seen here:
In the midst of trampling herds and threatening packs
As I dive into the world of Monster Hunter Wilds for about 4 hours, I encounter various monster groups. I come across a group of Doshagumas led by a powerful and aggressive alpha that needs to be dealt with.
I already know the pack from the beta, but I had decided to pay more attention during the gameplay to how to handle this kind of hunt. While in the beta I just went in swinging, I wanted to approach this a bit more tactically.
At first, I don’t think much of it – after all, they are just multiple large monsters in one place. However, the closer I get to the situation, the more I realize: this is probably not going to be that simple.
The situation seems highly threatening and poses the problem: How do I get to the alpha Doshaguma without being completely torn apart? Can I somehow lure the group apart? Draw him out? What are the other Doshagumas doing in the meantime? Can they be distracted at all?
The Doshaguma pack doesn’t make it easy for you
Therefore, I try to separate the alpha from the group to avoid getting caught between the other Doshagumas. However, this proves more difficult than I thought, and I immediately wish for other hunters by my side to coordinate and share the attention of the monsters.
After some back and forth, I manage to fulfill the quest more poorly than well, and I realize that I may have underestimated this new aspect of the game a bit too much. I’m left wondering how this could have been solved differently in a group with other players.
Upon proofreading my article, I was then informed that I should have simply used Dung Capsules to scatter the herd. Had I listened to Alma, I would have known that too. Be it as it may, I’m probably not the only one who ignores calls in the game like a true player… or am I?
As my demo time comes to an end and I have encountered several more groups and herds, there are still some questions left for me, and I decide to bring them up in the now upcoming interview.
I excitedly enter the room where the interview takes place and mentally review my questions that I particularly want to ask about the herds. After we greet each other, I start the interview with some general questions about the new monsters and the ecosystem.
Since we are currently talking about the new monsters, it would fit if I also directly ask my questions about the herds?
So I pose my first question on the topic to Yuya Tokuda, the Game Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, and want to know what was particularly important to them in developing the herd mechanics:
My goal with this title was to create a more dynamic and – in the truest sense of the title – wilder ecosystem. I wanted players to feel the threat of nature more strongly. When suddenly a whole herd of monsters appears, it can be overwhelming. Their behavior becomes less predictable and, in a way, more terrifying. The idea that a group of monsters is coming directly at you seemed to me an exciting way to elevate the sense of the creatures in the game to a new level. Therefore, I wanted to advance the technical side to be able to display more monsters on the screen at the same time. I think that dramatically changes the perception of the monsters and their ecosystem.
I also wanted to avoid herds always acting the same way, thus becoming predictable. The AI is very intelligent – it ensures that the monsters do not simply move in a straight line behind one another. There can be a leader in the group that the rest follow. But depending on what the player does – for example, if you deliberately try to scatter the herd – they can panic. This creates unpredictable gameplay situations that make the gameplay even more interesting.
This also confirms my feelings during the demo session. The threat that was meant to be created is clearly recognizable to me and instantly brings me back mentally to my fight against the alpha Doshaguma.
So I ask my second question. I want to know what they think about how the new behavior of the monsters will affect multiplayer. I want to know if the hunts will have to become more strategic from their perspective and whether hunters will take on new roles within hunting groups:
Definitely! Now, as a group, you can develop entirely new strategies. One of you could focus on the alpha, which is the main target of the quest. But if you do that, the herd might panic and scatter – then the other players have to deal with the remaining monsters.
You could even deliberately seek out an even stronger apex monster and lure it to the herd with a special item, so the monsters fight each other and deplete each other. How you and your hunter friends divide up and decide who takes on which task adds a whole new strategic depth to the game.
An answer that makes me very happy, as it confirms to me that this was also addressed during development. That it was not only about creating threatening and impressive herd visuals that simply make the fight harder. But that care was taken to also introduce a new strategic depth into the game with the new mechanic.
After the interview, my thoughts continue to revolve around the different herds and what possibilities they will bring in the finished game. What monsters will we still encounter in groups? How will they react? And how can we as hunters influence that?
MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein was able to play the full version of Monster Hunter Wilds for 4 hours during an event in Hamburg. The world and monsters captivated him far more than the predecessors could. He wondered what could cause this and came to a clear conclusion.
Even on the train, I think about what I want to pay special attention to while playing. Previously, I had only played the stripped-down beta version and now want to get a more accurate picture of what makes Monster Hunter Wilds so different from the previous parts.
During the beta, I felt like I was only scratching the surface and couldn’t grasp the “soul” of the game. I didn’t feel like I could fully immerse myself in the game. Something was missing in the beta that would draw me completely into the world.
My thoughts revolve around what makes Monster Hunter Wilds so special. Because at its core, the parts of the series are very similar – which also makes it appealing to a large extent. Nevertheless, I can’t shake the feeling that the game experience in this part would stand out significantly from its predecessors, and I want to find out why.
Upon arriving in Hamburg, I can play the full version of Monster Hunter Wilds for a total of 4 hours with other journalists. We also got the chance to face two of the later monsters and even take a first look at the Ice Shard Cliffs area.
So, I set out to search for an answer to my question about what the soul of the game would be. After 4 hours of intense hunting, I am sure: I have found it.
A compilation of my gameplay footage of my hunt for Rompopolo can be seen here:
That said, I throw myself into the adventure and am still unaware that the next 4 hours would pass far more quickly than I would like. Shortly after the story continues at the point where it ended in the beta version, the world pulls me deep into its spell.
I let the characters show me their world and discover something new at every corner. I pause and observe the many creatures that roam in the Wind Plane and the Crimson Forest. The world feels alive, coherent. Don’t get me wrong, Monster Hunter World also had well-made areas with great monsters, but…
Wilds takes everything to another level. It feels like a safari where I explore the two areas with my Saikrii.
At every corner, it is evident that detailed thought has gone into the surroundings, the world, and the ecosystem. Every plant, every insect, and every monster feels authentic in the place where it is located.
As I push deeper into the Wind Plane with the characters on my Saikrii, I notice the many small monsters making their way in a bustling group towards the river. In a herd next to us, the alpha watches over its females, as one of the NPCs tells us during the ride. A little further, I see another herd drinking at the river, with some of the monsters sleeping in the sun. Next to me, a small scaly monster pees in the sand. The interactions of the monsters with their environment are diverse and convince me of their coherence. I want to see more of it. Discover more.
Traveling with the Saikrii feels almost like being on a safari
Also, the design of the areas cannot be more different. From the drier desert landscape of the Wind Plane to the colorful Crimson Forest with its red waters to the dreary oil spring basin and the icy Ice Shard Cliffs, there is much to discover.
I can hardly get enough of the flora and fauna. The “seamless” world system, which allows us to switch areas with really short load times, gives me a sense of freedom that I have never felt in any part before.
Large monsters, large impact
In particular, I notice the large and especially new monsters. They don’t just roam around and occasionally encounter other large monsters to fight with, like in the “Turf Wars” back in Monster Hunter World.
They also interact more with their environment, just like the smaller monsters. Their attacks and abilities make more use of the environment than was the case in previous installments. As a result, they seem much more credible to me and convey a picture that forms a coherent whole. This also aligns with a statement from Yuya Tokuda, the Game Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, after the demo session in our interview:
My goal with this title was to create a more dynamic and, in the truest sense of the title, wilder ecosystem. I wanted players to feel the threat of nature more strongly.
Thus, the Rompopolo integrates authentically and threateningly into the oil spring basin. Not only does its color scheme match extremely well with the grayish-muddy area, but its attacks extensively use the slimy sludge to make your life hell. It uses its stinger to pump gas into the oil springs and cause explosions in its environment.
In addition to the large environments that characterize the individual areas, every monster has its own territory where it is “at home.” There, it appears particularly threatening and knows how to use its surroundings against its hunters. For example, Lala Barina or Nerscylla have their “nests” where it becomes additionally difficult for players to hunt their prey due to the environment. The monsters can climb around there, making it hard to follow them.
And that was the point where I realized: Monster Hunter Wilds, compared to its predecessors, has a much greater focus on its world and the various ecosystems and does everything to ensure that this concept is also received by its players.
The mud in the oil spring basin gives Rompopolo a decisive advantage.
Good entry concept without underchallenging
Besides the world, I also notice the flow that has changed compared to the predecessors. As someone who has played all parts of the series since Monster Hunter Tri, I am used to being thrown into the hunt more or less. A bit along the lines of: “Either it works or you try again until it works.”
In Monster Hunter Wilds, the entry feels more pleasant. More coherent. With a good and stable learning curve. Beginners are suggested a weapon through a short question catalog, which they can then directly test and possibly also exchange multiple times before heading into the first real hunt.
The monsters additionally act as meaningful teachers, which is meant to make the entry easier for newer players. Each monster serves a purpose, as Yuya Tokuda revealed in our interview:
I consider two different aspects when designing a monster and determining where it fits into the game. The first aspect is the ecosystem: This monster belongs to a certain type of monster that occurs in a specific environment and behaves accordingly. The second aspect pertains to gameplay design and difficulty. When does the player encounter this monster in the game? If it appears early, it should have more basic attacks. If it appears later, it can have more complex and difficult attacks. The behavior also changes: Early monsters are easier to read, while with later opponents, you have to adapt and react faster.
An example is Quematrice – it appears quite early in the game and is the second large monster you have to face. It has wide-range attacks, so I thought that a sweeping tail attack would fit well. So if the monster is to have a tail attack, it influences its design and overall appearance. These two design aspects work together.
Lala Barina, for example, is meant to teach players to keep their focus and always pay attention to their camera. Since it can move in all directions as the first monster in Monster Hunter Wilds, it is the perfect monster for this purpose and was therefore placed in this spot.
Thus, the difficulty increases pleasantly with each monster without being underchallenging and making it too easy. Let’s take Chatacabra and Quematrice, the first two monsters in the history, as an example: While Chatacabra focuses only on a single opponent and frontal, simple attacks, Quematrice introduces the first area attacks as the second monster.
And also, although the two monsters have relatively spartan attack patterns, they do have several, and they still challenge with their stamina and the damage they deal. Of course, very experienced players will have an easy time with the first monsters, but that was the case in previous games as well.
Here, the developers simply found it important to bring new players on board and reduce the arising frustration, so that these players do not lose their fun. They should be encouraged to continue and not be faced with challenges that lead them to quit the game.
As an experienced hunter, I quickly get along with the first monsters. However, the further I progress in the story, the more I have to pay attention again. Because the monsters get relatively faster, and you also have to react with a clear mind, otherwise, you’ll get quite a beating.
In this, I personally found the increase in difficulty through the monsters very pleasant and felt more that the game was pulling me forward rather than boring or frustrating me.
After 4 way too short hours, I head back content and full of anticipation for the release. For now, I am sure I have experienced firsthand what makes Monster Hunter Wilds so special. With its vibrant world and coherent ecosystem, Monster Hunter Wilds offers a gaming experience that I simply missed in previous installments. Perhaps I have also found my candidate for my personal game of the year?
Besides all that has been mentioned so far, another aspect particularly stuck with me, which raised further questions. Because with the new behaviors of the monsters, the approach of hunters to the hunts could also change.
I took this thought as an opportunity to carry a special focus into our interview with Ryozo Tsujimoto (Producer of the Monster Hunter series) and Yuya Tokuda (Game Director of “Monster Hunter Wilds”) after the session and question them about: I asked the developers of Monster Hunter Wilds about a feature that is still totally underestimated: “I wanted players to feel the threat more strongly”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
On the occasion of Safer Internet Day, the USK will hold the next digital parents’ evening in early February, addressing the topic of extremism. Here you will find all the important information.
In time for Safer Internet Day 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation (USK) invites to the next digital parents’ evening in February. The informational event will focus on extremism, its depiction in digital games, and how these can help raise awareness of the issue.
Topic: Digital parents’ evening with a focus on “Games Against Extremism“
Date: February 11, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Online event taking place on the Microsoft Teams platform
The event is mainly aimed at parents, guardians, and educators, just like the last digital parents’ evenings. However, everyone who is generally interested in the topic and wants to learn something new can also participate.
Registration through the above-linked information page of the USK is required to participate in the digital parents’ evening, while downloading Microsoft Teams is not necessary.
Some games now address the topic of extremism and can thus make an important contribution to raising awareness among children and young people.
The event will showcase examples of how games address the issue and how they can help reflect on the topic.
Three experts will guide the program:
Melanie Endler, media education and cooperation consultant
Maurice Matthieu, member and communication consultant
Matej Samide, project manager at the Foundation for Digital Game Culture
What exactly does the USK do? The USK is primarily responsible for the age rating of computer and video games in the German-speaking area, and the assessment criteria were expanded two years ago.
All games submitted for review since then are examined not only for potentially harmful content but also for online risks such as in-game chats or gambling mechanics. These usage risks have now also been incorporated into the guidelines for evaluating digital games.
In addition, the USK issues youth protection certificates when certain systems meet the high standards of German youth media protection. In the past, the USK awarded such a certificate, for example, for the Xbox consoles and their internal youth protection system.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Riot wanted to change some things in League of Legends in 2025. This wasn’t just about gameplay changes; the eSport needed adjustments too. One of the most important changes is the Fearless Draft. However, it is more controversial within the community than one might think.
What is the Fearless Draft? The draft in LoL generally has two stages in eSports: bans and picks. This stays the same in the Fearless Draft in the first match.
1. Both teams ban 3 champions each and then pick 3
2. Both teams ban 2 champions each and then pick the remaining 2
This process was then repeated for each match depending on the format. However, the problem, depending on the meta, was that the same champions were constantly being banned or picked, leading to little variation.
For viewers, this seems like an exciting change, but a current reddit thread shows that the Fearless Draft is more controversial than one might think.
Start video
Welcome to Noxus – Opening Video for the First LoL Season 2025
The Fearless Draft is Loved and Hated
How is the community reacting to the Fearless Draft so far? In a recent reddit thread, the user Spacerock678 calls the Fearless Draft the best thing that has happened to LoL eSports. He believes that the matches are much more fun to watch now. Currently, the thread has over 3700 upvotes and almost 460 comments, not all of which entirely agree with this view.
Users like Cybonics agree with the thread creator (via reddit). He finds the games in the Chinese league LPL particularly good. User Nichoova (via reddit) writes that he enjoys the Fearless Draft, but does not believe it will help eSports grow.
Other users are much more critical:
benthecarmen (via reddit) criticizes: I really hate it because it doesn’t bring about new choices and removes all interesting aspects of the draft.
CanadianODST2 (via reddit) writes: I hate it tbh. I want to see them at their best, not diversity for the sake of it.
Aschentei (via reddit) sees pros and cons: It is nice for viewers, but must be a nightmare for coaches, especially in bo5. For professional players, it reveals those with small champ pools.
Even Riot itself has commented on the difficulties with balancing as more champions need to be taken into account.
Is the criticism legitimate? Riot wants eSports to become more attractive for viewers. With something like the Fearless Draft, this is possible. The skill with one champion can be exciting, but for casual viewers, it’s also interesting to see new champions regularly played at a high level.
At the Worlds 2024, one could already see how rigid a meta can be. Champions like Aurora or Yone were banned almost every match, and other champions like Skarner or Jax were almost always present. Many viewers criticized this at the time as well. Other innovations are also drawing criticism: Fans of League of Legends criticize Riot for its greed, expressing concern over the LoL MMORPG
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In EA FC 25 you can upgrade a young player to an Icon with the new Future Stars Evolution (EVO). At MeinMMO we provide suggestions on how to utilize the upgrades for each position.
Update from February 11, 2025 (1:00 PM): We have taken the third EVO phase for the upgrades into account. Upon completion, your Academy star will attain Icon status.
What is the Future Stars EVO? The evolution has been available since Friday, January 31. It was introduced with the new Future Stars Event in Ultimate Team. At the beginning, you can choose from 1 of 3 EVO paths, which can be found in the EVO menu under the tab “Future Stars Academy”:
Dynamic Defensive Specialist (I+II+III)
+10 Pace (max. 88)
+3 Shot (max. 80)
+10 Passing (max. 85)
+8 Dribbling
+13 Defense (max. 93)
+13 Physicality
Refined Midfielder (I+II+III)
+10 Pace (max. 90)
+9 Shot (max. 85)
+14 Passing (max. 95)
+10 Dribbling (max.89)
+11 Defense (max. 87)
+12 Physicality (max. 90)
Aspiring Striker (I+II+III)
+8 Pace (max. 95)
+12 Shot (max. 95)
+11 Passing (max. 84)
+12 Dribbling (max. 92)
+7 Heading Accuracy
You can utilize each upgrade for every player. By now, you could equip your Academy player a second time with the upgrades listed here.
Which players are suitable for the EVO? For the upgrades, you can choose 1 from 15 Academy stars once you log into Ultimate Team. Your selection is as follows:
Which player should you choose? It is up to you which player you decide on. All players start with an 80 rating and the same number of PlayStyles and skills. It is best to look at which position you see a need for improvement in your club. At the end of the EVO, each player will reach full chemistry, as they will attain Icon status.
Which PlayStyles and upgrades fit best for the professionals in their positions is discussed in this article.
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Start video
Tips for a Perfect Start in EA FC 25 – Ultimate Team
The best upgrades, PlayStyles & skills for every position
How do you get the PlayStyles? You unlock the PlayStyles in the tasks. In the “Live” objectives, you will find the “Future Stars Academy Scout Report.” You will receive a selection of 15 PlayStyle EVOs if you score 5 goals with a Future Stars player. You can choose from 8 of 15 different PlayStyles.
Once you have completed the entire task block, you will receive a group bonus of an EVO for 1 of 5 PlayStyle+.
What other skills can you unlock? In the first task block for the “Future Stars Academy Scout Report,” you were also able to unlock EVOs to increase your weak foot and special moves with one star (★).
With the release of Future Stars Team 2, you can choose in the “Future Stars Academy Scout Report” whether you upgrade your player to 5★ weak foot or special moves. Additionally, you will receive 1 of 5 PlayStyle+-EVOs that you can apply to your player.
Below, we give you suggestions on which upgrades and PlayStyles best fit the positions of the Future Stars Academy players.
*When deciding on skill upgrades for offensive positions (CAM, LM, LF, RF, RM, and ST), you should determine whether to prioritize Skill Moves or Weak Foot.
Important: To obtain Icon status at the end, you may only use the upgrade EVOs listed here and the EVOs from the “Future Stars Academy Scout Report.” If you use other upgrades, your youth player will lose the status of a Future Star and cannot become an Icon. You can also find more strong EVO options at MeinMMO: 7 strong options for EVO upgrades
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In a game like Pokémon GO, it can quickly happen that one makes mistakes out of ignorance. A YouTuber has shown in a video mistakes that can happen even to professionals.
Even professionals who have been playing Pokémon GO for years can find that they do not fully know some aspects of the game and therefore miss out on rewards.
Poké Daxi, a YouTuber with over 600,000 subscribers, has compiled some mistakes in a video on YouTube that can happen even to die-hard players. So that you don’t make these mistakes, we have compiled them for you from his video.
Start video
Pokémon GO reveals the new season Dual Destiny in the trailer
4 mistakes that can cost you rewards
Routes: The first mistake that the YouTuber mentions in his video is skipping routes. Here you can receive the coveted Zygarde cells every day, which you need to bring your Zygarde into its optimal form.
Moreover, you can encounter more Pokémon when you first complete a route, if you activate incense or adventure incense during the task.
Golden gyms: Another mistake that players can make in Pokémon GO is related to gyms. These can be goldenized by accumulating points for the gym through activities like defeating Pokémon in the gym, feeding them with berries, or successfully completing raids.
Once the gym reaches the golden level, you not only receive more items when spinning the gym disc, but also get an additional Premier Ball if you successfully complete a raid at the gym.
To see how far your progress in a gym is, click on your avatar’s picture on the main screen in the game. In the lower area, just above the medals, you can see all the gyms you have visited as well as your progress.
AR scanning: Many trainers do not pay much attention to AR scanning of PokéStops and gyms. However, you can receive some strong rewards here, including Knursp, lures, and incense.
Collecting field research rewards: When you complete field research tasks, you can also receive an encounter with a Pokémon as a reward. You can save these by closing the Pokémon’s catch screen instead of catching the monster directly.
This way, you can collect the encounters and complete them later. This is especially beneficial for Pokémon that give you more stardust for each catch. If you wait for an event with a stardust bonus, you can thus amass a nice pile of stardust. You can collect a total of 100 Pokémon with this method.
2 mistakes you might regret in the long term
Platinum medals: If you want to make the leap from level 48 to level 49 in the game, you need to complete several tasks in addition to a heap of experience points, including collecting 35 platinum medals.
Therefore, you should not make the mistake of only dealing with your medals when you reach level 48. There are medals that you can easily collect on the side.
Pinning postcards: If you want to get Vivillon in Pokémon GO, you need to collect a lot of postcards. To make this endeavor a bit easier, don’t forget to pin each postcard when you open a gift.
It is sufficient to pin the postcard just before opening the gift, and then remove it immediately afterward. This process takes just 2 extra clicks and ensures that you don’t miss any postcards for your Vivillon progress.
Raids: 2 more mistakes that the YouTuber mentions in his video concern the raids in Pokémon GO. Firstly, you should not forget to organize your teams before your raids to ensure that you always face the battles with your best team.
Also, if you do not have enough players, make sure to utilize Campfire. This way, you can join raids that you would otherwise have to forgo due to a lack of trainers.
Cryptos: The second last mistake from the video concerns crypto Pokémon. Even though most trainers probably know this, there are still trainers who redeem their crypto Pokémon.
If you do it for your collection, for example, to obtain Pokémon with perfect IVs, then that is, of course, a legitimate reason. However, if you want to use the Pokémon for battles, you should always leave them in their crypto form.
A crypto monster with poor IVs is still stronger due to the 20% increased damage than a redeemed monster with better IVs.
Pokémon Home: If you play the main series games in addition to Pokémon GO, you should not just send your duplicate shinies to the professor. Instead, you can send these monsters to Pokémon Home and from there to your main games.
This is useful because shiny monsters are considerably rarer in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet than during events like Community Day in Pokémon GO.
Speaking of events: of course, there will be various events with different content and bonuses in the game in the coming weeks. If you want to know what they are and when they take place, feel free to take a look at our overview of all events in February 2025 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Although he has already ended his career, a YouTuber made a brief return for a special occasion. At the same time, he provides an update on his life.
Who is it about? It is about the former YouTuber Manuel “German Let’s Play” (sometimes abbreviated as GLP). For a long time, he was a celebrated Let’s Player alongside other YouTube veterans like Gronkh. His YouTube channel still has over 3.5 million subscribers (via YouTube).
In 2022, German Let’s Play completely withdrew from YouTube. The reason for this was serious health issues. He was misdiagnosed with a terminal illness and wanted to fully focus on his life after the doctors declared him out of danger.
His withdrawal saddened many in the community but was met with understanding.
The YouTuber HandOfBlood has also long been part of the German YouTube scene. We introduce him to you in the video:
Start video
HandOfBlood: The most important thing about the YouTuber and Twitch streamer in under a minute
German Let’s Play makes a comeback
How does German Let’s Play make a comeback? On his birthday, February 9, the former YouTuber always uploads a short video in which he states his current age. A tradition that has been established, like the alleged face reveal on April 1. This year he turned 33 (via YouTube).
In a comment under the video, he wrote that he posted current news in another comment.
What’s new with GLP? On February 9, German Let’s Play updated his comment under his original “That’s why I’m leaving YouTube” video (via YouTube). Among other things, the following things are new with him:
He had a tonsil surgery that was very important for him, but at the same time the worst surgery he has had so far, as the painkillers partially failed.
Additionally, he has been diagnosed with ADHD. It is very pronounced in him, and he will now seek medical help for it.
In recent months, he has had many therapy appointments.
The former YouTuber also has sleep apnea; these are breathing pauses at night. This is the reason for his previous concentration problems. With a mask that he wears every night, the problem can be managed.
Currently, he has no problems with his ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease). He will provide an update on this in the future.
In Monster Hunter Wilds, everything revolves around hunting powerful beasts. However, those who are patient will be rewarded with special moments that resonate well within the community.
What kind of moments are we talking about? In Monster Hunter Wilds, the seamless world with its sophisticated ecosystem plays a special role. There is plenty for hunters to discover, from herds of smaller monsters roaming around, to flying monsters soaring in the sky, and bustling packs of small animals darting through the savanna.
The focal point of the game is the hunt for large, powerful monsters. However, one should not attack them too quickly, as they also offer various interactions with their environment, which are worth being patient for. Currently, the community is especially celebrating some of these interactions.
Start video
In the new trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds, it gets icy
“I had no idea he was a non-aggressive monster!”
Which monsters are being celebrated by the community? Across various social media channels, fans are thrilled by the interactions that the large monsters show them. For instance, user drayne_sahane shares a clip on TikTok where he observes Chatacabra chilling in the water (via Tiktok). User Kevin Naro Viera comments that it feels like watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel.
However, one monster grabs the most attention with its animations, and that is none other than the flagship monster Arkveld. In a thread on Reddit, an animation of it looking around clumsily and playing with its chains has become very popular.
Another animation is shared by KogiMH via YouTube:
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In this one, you can see Arkveld drawing circles in the sand with its chains.
The community is quite fond of this actually quite cute monster:
For instance, krisrod1478 writes via YouTube: “I love how Arkveld is just chilling there, it’s so damn cute!”
Thisnameworksiguess comments via Reddit: “I had no idea he was a non-aggressive monster! It’s time to follow the big guy and see what he gets up to.”
HungryGull responds: “The animation where it sits down and slowly whirls its whips makes it look like a big kitten”
Players share their joy about their observations and also recommend to other hunters to take a moment during their expeditions to stop and observe the monsters. One could then be pleasantly surprised by one or another.
Monster Hunter: Wilds starts in a few weeks on Steam. But before you buy the game, you should test the new benchmark tool. After the download, you will find out whether your computer can even run the game or if PS5 and Xbox are the better choice for you.
What kind of tool is this? Developer Capcom has released an official benchmark tool for Monster Hunter Wilds. You can download the tool directly on the Steam store page of the game. The download is about 30 GB in size.
Why is the tool recommended? The tool is the official way to find out if the game runs on your gaming PC at all. This also helps you avoid a bad purchase if the game doesn’t run at all or only runs very poorly on your system. Alternatively, you could switch to the Xbox or PS5 version.
Does the tool cost anything? No, the benchmark tool is free and does not require the purchase of Monster Hunter Wilds! Therefore, you should use the tool before purchasing the actual game.
Update from February 11, 2025: We have structurally adjusted the article.
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds: 20-minütiges Gameplay zeigt Karminwald und neue Monster
Monster Hunter Wilds: How to use the benchmark tool correctly
How to use the benchmark tool:
Click on “Download” for Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark on the product page of Monster Hunter Wilds on Steam. You will need about 30 GB of free disk space.
Then you can select the tool from your Steam library and start it using the “Play” button.
Once you have started the software, select your text and audio language and choose “START” to begin the benchmark process.
After a few minutes, you will see your system’s rating.
After the benchmark: Once you have completed the benchmark, you will receive a 4- to 5-digit number. The higher the number, the better your PC’s performance. It looks as follows in detail:
5,199 or less: barely playable
5,200 to 6,999: You need to change settings
7,000 to 10,249: Changes are recommended
10,250 to 12,999: Playable
13,000 to 19,999: Good performance
20,000 and more: Excellent performance
Monster Hunter Wilds: Improving benchmark scores and alternatives
What can you do about poor scores? If you received surprisingly low points in the benchmark, you should first check your system:
Are all drivers (CPU, graphics card, BIOS) up to date?
Did you install the benchmark on an SSD?
Does your system meet the minimum requirements of Monster Hunter Wilds? The developers warn that the benchmark may not work correctly under the requirements.
Check if you have other software running that consumes significant PC resources.
The minimum requirements and recommended hardware can be found in the following table:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super (VRAM 8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6600 (VRAM 8GB)
RAM
16 GB
16 GB
Storage Space
75 GB of available storage space
75 GB of available storage space
What alternatives are there? If Monster Hunter Wilds does not run well or at all on your gaming PC, we have good news: the game will also be released for the popular gaming consoles, and it is expected to run smoothly on these at launch.
If you are still looking for reasons to dive into Monster Hunter Wilds, check out the following article. Why interested players should not be discouraged by the depth and scope of the series and why Monster Hunter Wilds is perfect for newcomers is explained here at MeinMMO: 5 reasons that make Monster Hunter Wilds the perfect entry point for newcomers
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A MMORPG from Germany is more successful than ever, despite its old age. Now, around 28 years after its release, the game is even getting a new class.
Which game are we talking about? We are talking about Tibia. The fantasy MMORPG is developed by CipSoft in Regensburg and was originally released in 1997. Despite its old age, the developer reported record profits last year (via Gameswirtschaft).
Since its release, which was already 28 years ago, players of the MMORPG have only had 4 vocations – this is what classes are called in Tibia – to choose from: Druid, Knight, Mage, and Paladin. Soon, the Monk will be added as a 5th vocation.
The class inspired by Buddhist warrior monks will be a melee fighter with support and healing abilities. You can see a short teaser here:
Start video
Tibia: The successful fantasy MMORPG gets a new class
Strong melee fighter with support qualities
What can the new class do? The Monk relies on a mix of martial arts and mystical abilities. He can grant allies buffs and heal them while effectively dealing damage in combat with his bare fists – he is the first class in Tibia to primarily use the unarmed combat skill that has been in the game for about 20 years.
The new vocation also brings several gameplay mechanics with it:
Harmony: Certain attack spells generate Harmony, which can be used by other spells for a power boost.
Virtues: The Monk has access to three Virtues, of which only one can be active at a time. Each Virtue has a passive effect.
Serene: If the Monk fights alone or against less than six monsters at once, he is in a Serene status (a state of tranquility), which makes him significantly stronger.
Why is the new class coming so late? Before deciding to introduce a new class into the game, the developers hesitated for a long time. It should, of course, fit into the world and represent a strong option compared to the existing classes, but not overshadow any.
On February 25, there will be a first playtest for the Monk. However, he will officially join the game no earlier than the second quarter of 2025.
In Path of Exile 2, many players sit on mountains of gold because there are only a few useful ways to spend the currency. An Austrian YouTuber now explains how to best utilize your gold.
Who is it about? The Austrian YouTuber Jessirocks has been dealing with ARPGs like Diablo 4, Last Epoch, or most recently Path of Exile 2 for a long time. On Twitch, over 230,000 people follow him, and on YouTube nearly 40,000. In his videos, he shows players tips and tricks or addresses topics that are weighing on the community’s mind.
In a new video on YouTube, he explains how to properly use gold in Path of Exile 2 to create valuable items.
This method can also pay off with a visit to an NPC:
Start video
This NPC in Path of Exile 2 identifies your items
How to Properly Use Your Gold
What is the best thing to do with gold? If you have excess gold that you’re not using at all, you can exchange it for random items at NPC Alva. As the YouTuber explains, amulets are particularly worthwhile here. With the exchange, you can turn your surplus gold into a lot of currency items. Here’s how you can get the most out of it according to Jessirocks:
Go to Act 3 (Cruel) and find NPC Alva
Buy as many amulets as you want
Use Upgrade Orbs to bring your amulets to yellow rarity
Use the search function at the bottom of the stash to sort the items by good attributes
Upgrade the items with good stats using Exalt Orbs to make them truly valuable
Sell matching items on the trade market for 1 Divine Orb
If you receive dozens of messages immediately for an item, it’s likely worth more
Adjust the price accordingly
Which attributes are even valuable? In Path of Exile 2, only certain stats are regarded as really good. According to Reddit, the following attributes are perfect for amulets:
Level of all spell / minion / melee / projectile skills +2 or +3
Spirit between 43 and 50
Increased spell damage between 23% and 30%
Increased maximum mana between 150 and 189 or between 7% and 10%
Increased maximum health between 100 and 149
Increased intelligence / strength / dexterity between 25 and 33
Increased resistance to the elements fire, lightning, and ice 31% – 45%
Increased resistance to chaos damage 20% – 27%
Increased rarity of found items 21% – 32%
All attributes increased by 19 – 24
Increased cast speed 21% – 28%
Increased mana regeneration rate by 50% – 69%
If your amulet has one of these attributes, it is worth enchanting it with Exalt Orbs to cast further stats onto the item.
What happens to bad amulets? Amulets that don’t have good values should not just be thrown away. Best to transform 3 of your bad amulets at the “Reforging Bench” into a new amulet and repeat the above steps.
Once you’ve done everything, you will have hopefully earned some Divine Orbs from your surplus gold. Uniques could also be among your amulets. It’s worth doing a little research on the actual price here, as a real jackpot could be waiting. If you prefer collecting rings, we have the perfect guide for you: 8 Rings in Path of Exile 2 that you should never leave behind
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Elden Ring, there are various forms of magic, but the weakest among them is necromancy. Many avoid it, but one player has now demonstrated how powerful it can really be.
Why is necromancy so weak?Necromancy belongs to the spells and typically summons the ghost flame or ancient echoes of the dead to harm enemies. The problem is that for effective use of these spells, you need to increase your wisdom and faith attributes – thus requiring a much higher investment in your skill points. Additionally, there are very few useful spells that pay off in battles against your enemies.
Before players level up a necromancer, they prefer to take the more relaxed route and build their Easy-Mode – the sorcerer build.
When it comes to damage, you are better served with the purest form of magic than with occultism, but one player wanted to prove the opposite. He created a necromancy build and tackled the highest difficulty of the DLC, challenging three bosses. In 3 minutes, he could demonstrate how powerful necromancy truly is.
Start video
Elden Ring introduces the boss enemies of the DLC
In 3 minutes, three of the toughest bosses
Which bosses were defeated? The user Exciting-Holiday218 revealed on Reddit how powerful his build is. He describes that his character is level 175 and that he has reached NG+7 – the highest level where enemy scaling stops increasing.
He then challenged the difficult bosses from the Elden Ring DLC: Messmer the Piler, Midra, and Romina. In the fight, he only used spells, war ashes, and weapons of necromancy.
Apart from the flawless fights without a scratch, Exciting-Holiday218 dealt massive damage and defeated all bosses in under three minutes. Considering that some players take even longer to defeat a single boss, this is an impressive achievement and shows that necromancy can also be strong when you know how to use it.
How can necromancy be strong? Most necromancy spells possess the effect of frostbite. This effect takes away a percentage of your enemies’ life and applies a debuff to them. This debuff increases the damage taken by 20% from all weapons, elements, and spells you cast in a time window of 30 seconds.
Combining this with a strong necromancy weapon like the Death’s Pick can deal immense damage. Pairing this with the right talismans, it’s only a matter of a few minutes before your boss is brought to its knees. Have you also used necromancy in your build? Let us know your experiences in the comments. More about Elden Ring can be found here: Alternatives to Kingdom Come 2: These open worlds also offer immersion and fascination
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Steve Jobs was known for not tolerating tardiness among his employees. However, one employee who arrived late received a car from him.This is recounted by a former Apple employee.
Steve Jobs hated it when everyone else was late. It went so far that he would start important meetings without some participants because they did not show up on time. However, when a secretary showed up late due to a broken car, Jobs came up with something special.
Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds
A new car so the employee would not be late to the office again
What a fascinating anecdote! The story about the late secretary comes from Ron Givens, who worked as a quality manager at Apple for 5 years. The magazine Applesfera.com reports this. One day, according to Givens, Jobs’ employee arrived late to the office.
Givens recounted how well Steve Jobs’ secretary worked at that time. Her name is not known, nor are further details, except for the fact that she was a single mother. However, on one occasion, she arrived late to the office. When she entered, Steve Jobs was already waiting for her.
He asked the secretary why she was late. She apologized and explained that she had trouble starting her car. Steve Jobs nodded and let the matter rest without commenting further. This seemed surprising to Givens, as Jobs usually did not tolerate tardiness from his employees and colleagues.
How did it end? However, some time later, Steve Jobs appeared with keys for a car for the secretary and said, “Here, so you never come late again.” The vehicle was a Jaguar. The company Jaguar primarily manufactures luxury models. Thus, Givens recounted (via wral.com):
[She was a] single mother, a good secretary. She said, ‘My car won’t start.’ That afternoon [Jobs] came into her office, tossed her a set of keys to a brand new Jaguar and said, ‘Here, don’t be late again.’ He always did things like that, surprising people.”
How the employee reacted to this is unknown. Nor is it known whether she was ever late for work again.
Generation Z (Gen Z) has a different work ethic than older generations. A recent study showed that a large portion of respondents admitted to occasionally cheating during work hours, such as taking a nap or finishing work early.
Disclaimer: The title image is a symbolic image
What is Gen Z?
Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to the generation born approximately between 1995 and 2010. Members of this generation are now between 14 and 30 years old.
The Gen Z has entered the job market in the last 10 years, bringing their own strengths and principles, notably being very health-conscious. For many, this means: “My health/my well-being is more important than my job.”
Additionally, the generation is often said to be “always online” and very tech-savvy.
Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds
What do young people admit to? The website PapersOwl surveyed 2,000 Americans aged between 18 and 34 – roughly in the range of Generation Z. In this study, 95% of respondents said they found workplace cheating acceptable.
Among the “tricks” queried in the study were things like leaving work early, false crane reports, or napping during work hours. The top answers were:
Leaving work early – 34%
Calling in sick when not actually ill to take an unplanned day off – 27%
Unannounced late arrivals – 18%
“Quiet quitting,” by only putting forth minimal effort – 16%
Using AI to complete tasks – 14%
Napping during work hours while working remotely – 11%
Logging more hours than actually worked – 11%
Using company tools or software for personal hobbies or freelance work – 10%
Moreover, 51% of respondents stated that they had taken a so-called “quiet vacation” – a break without informing a supervisor while pretending to work. The most cited reason for a quiet vacation was “mental stress or burnout” at 46%, followed by the lack of opportunity to take time for family matters (36%).
When does Gen Z perform at their best? 50% of respondents said that a salary increase is their top motivation to give their best. Additionally, 31% stated that a positive and less toxic work environment motivates them.
Collectors can achieve incredibly high prices with old Pokémon cards. A random find by a Pokémon fan could now make them a bit richer.
What kind of find are we talking about? A user reports on Reddit that he found a rare Pokémon card in an old book. He must have used the card as a bookmark 20 years ago and forgotten it in the book.
In the forum, he proudly shows what kind of card it is: a Charizard from the first edition in holo-appearance. To protect the valuable item, he has since put the card in a sleeve. This protects it from scratches and dirt so it doesn’t lose value. Because depending on its condition, it could be worth quite a bit.
Those who prefer to collect digital cards might enjoy TCG Pocket:
Start video
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket: The Trailer for the Mobile Game
Pokémon card turns out to be a valuable find
How much is the card worth? To estimate the value of a card, its condition must first be checked. There are independent companies that specialize in assessing the condition of a card. They follow a scale that ranges from 1 to 10.
A 10 is a card that is basically fresh out of the printer. A 1 means the card can really only be used as a bookmark, as it usually has significant flaws.
According to Price Charting, a holo Charizard sells for about 219 euros. If the card is graded, it could fetch a price of around 9,764 euros. A few years ago, he might have gotten even more money for it: a similar card of a Charizard from the very first edition sold for 407,000 euros in 2022, currently it’s only worth 163,000 euros (via Infinite TCGPlayer).
However, the Charizard shown here is from the second card edition, which is why it is inherently worth less. Nevertheless, the Reddit user can be happy about a great find.
What do others say about his find? The lucky finder of the Pokémon card thinks that he was a dumb kid back then. He probably doesn’t understand how someone could be so foolish as to use a card that is valuable today as a bookmark.
However, other users encourage him and claim that he might have even been a genius as a child. After all, he kept the card for so many years and didn’t sell it for a lower price or trade it for other toys.
In a new video, Marco Risch from Nerdkultur talks about the small horror film The Substance, which is one of the few to have received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The film is a critique of Hollywood itself.
Who is Marco Risch? Since 2015, Marco Risch has been focusing on news, analyses, reviews, and interviews about current films and series on his YouTube channel Nerdkultur.
In addition to this, he meets weekly with his colleague Yves Arievich to chat on the Podcast Nerd & Kultur about pop cultural film topics like Star Wars, Marvel, and DC.
Both the YouTube channel and the podcast are part of the Webedia network, which also includes MeinMMO.
In a recent video, Marco talks about the acclaimed horror film The Substance, which satirizes Hollywood and prevailing beauty ideals in the body horror genre.
You can watch Marco’s video here:
Start video
Marco from Nerdkultur talks about the horror hit The Substance
The Substance receives a rare horror honor
What kind of film is The Substance? In The Substance, Demi Moore plays the actress Elisabeth Sparkle, who has just turned 50. However, she learns that her long-running TV show is to be canceled because she is too old. But a mysterious substance called The Substance can help her.
The Substance is one of the 7 horror films in Oscar history that has received a nomination for Best Picture. This places the film alongside classics like Jaws, The Exorcist, or Get Out. At the upcoming Oscars, the film has 5 nominations, as Marco explains. Demi Moore is even considered a favorite for Best Actress.
Marco explains that The Substance manages to be loved as a horror film by Hollywood, even though the film criticizes the entire industry. The great body horror is hidden. Marco himself even says that during his screening of the film, there was a lot of laughter, cheering, and clapping.
In the film, important themes that have prevailed in Hollywood for ages are hidden. The film is a societal critique about some aspects of the dream factory:
Societal pressure
Media sexualization
Prostitution of the self
Disgust with oneself
In this context, Marco compares the film to a very good episode of Black Mirror.
Social critique in the style of master Stanley Kubrick
Marco explains that director Coralie Fargeat was inspired by Kubrick. He mentions several aspects that can be recognized from the works of the legendary director:
Central and symmetrical perspectives
Minimalist sets
Suggestive cuts and match cuts
Nonverbal storytelling
Few locations
Large and surreal images
Through these techniques, the relationship of Demi Moore’s character with that of Margaret Qualley is clarified. There are significant differences, but they are eternally connected. It is about one’s own identity and what one would give up to gain recognition.
In his video, Marco also discusses the ending of the film, which was supposed to be changed by the studio. Fargeat did not want that; she did not want a mainstream ending. The rights to the film were then bought by the streaming provider MUBI, known for arthouse cinema. At MUBI, the film was allowed to keep its ending.
This paid off for the provider, as the film earned four times its budget through its theatrical release. This background story perfectly fits the societal critique of the film. At the end of his video, Marco emphatically states: The Substance is also a middle finger to Hollywood.
How many awards The Substance can win will be seen in March. One of the most legendary films of all time is The Silence of the Lambs. In another video, Marco talked about the film on his Nerdkultur channel and what makes it so good: After this, you’ll see The Silence of the Lambs with different eyes
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The current season in Pokémon GO is slowly coming to an end. The first events for the upcoming season have already been announced.
The current season is called “Dual Destiny” and started on December 3, 2024. It will last until March 4, 2025. The name of the upcoming season is not yet known.
However, you can already mark the first dates of the upcoming season in your calendar. These include Community Days, Raid Days, and other content.
You can watch the trailer for the current season here:
Start video
Pokémon GO reveals the new season Dual Destiny in the trailer
All known dates of the new season
When do Community Days take place? The dates for both the regular Community Days and the Community Days Classic are known. However, which Pokémon will be featured has not yet been announced.
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025 (Community Day Classic)
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025 (Community Day Classic)
What other dates are already known? Not only have the dates for the Community Days been announced. Many other events can also be noted down now.
Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, 2025 (Dyna Battle Weekend)
Sunday, March 16, 2025 (Catching Skill)
Sunday, March 23, 2025 (Raid Day)
Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Research Day)
Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Raid Day)
Sunday, April 6, 2025 (Hatching Day)
Sunday, April 13, 2025 (Raid Day)
Saturday, April 19, 2025 (Dyna Battle Day)
Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Raid Day)
Saturday, May 17, 2025 (Crypto Raid Day)
Sunday, May 25, 2025 (Dyna Battle Day)
When will there be more info about the content? Based on experience, it takes some time from the first announcement of the new events of the upcoming season until more detailed information is available. This will usually only be provided relatively shortly before the start of the new content. Once there are concrete details about the events’ content, you will be able to read about it on MeinMMO.
Before the new season begins at the start of next month, there are also some events and content in the current season waiting for you. If you want to know what those are and when they take place, feel free to take a look at our overview of all events in February 2025 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Finally, there is a first sign of life regarding the manga of Dragon Ball! Toyotarou released a new sketch for a one-shot that revolves around two Saiyans.
What is the sketch about? In the Weekly Dragon Ball News, a sketch by Toyotarou was shown. Toyotarou took over the official manga of Dragon Ball Super, after the creator Akira Toriyama passed away.
The sketch features Trunks and Son-Goten in their teenage years (via YouTube). The two are staring intently at the television, which is showing a video game featuring Clean God. This is a superhero character that the two Saiyans literally idolize.
The sketch is a first teaser for a one-shot set to be released on February 20, 2025. The story is expected to be available for just one week, presumably on the official site. Simultaneously, the one-shot will be published in the V-Jump magazine. More information is expected to be released on February 13.
In the last arc of Dragon Ball Super, Son-Gohan was at the center of events:
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New one-shot expands the story of Dragon Ball Super
How does the one-shot fit into the official manga? The one-shot highlights how the two Saiyans came into their alter egos. It is essentially a prequel to the current arc of Dragon Ball Super.
The Clean God is the reason why the two take on a superhero identity, much like Son-Gohan did as Saiyaman. Trunks and Son-Goten don their uniforms and call themselves Saiyaman X-1 and Saiyaman X-2. Their techniques are named after their idol, the Clean God.
The story represents the first major focus on the two Saiyans. We experience some slice-of-life moments from their school days and how they lead an carefree life. It’s less about hard training and battles against gods, but rather about normal, everyday things.
Why is there only now a continuation of the manga? After the death of creator Akira Toriyama, it likely had to be organizationally clarified how the manga would proceed. It was clear that Toyotarou would take over the manga, but he first had to process the death of his beloved mentor and finish his own manga.
