With the Season of Discovery, Blizzard has created a playground where developers can explore new concepts for WoW Classic – or introduce entirely new content. Such new content will appear in January and is likely to please veterans.
What kind of dungeon is this?
The Karazhan Crypts are a new dungeon for 5 players at level 60 and will reset every 24 hours.
If you want to enter the dungeon, you must play the Season of Discovery. You will not find the Crypts in regular WoW Classic. Blizzard plans to open them in Phase 7 on January 29, 2025.
Start video
WoW Launches Fresh Classic Realms – The Big Birthday Gift
What makes the dungeon so special: Karazhan is actually a raid from The Burning Crusade, regarded by many players as the best raid of all time. The Deadwind Pass has been in the game since Classic.
The tower itself is the home of Medivh and later Khadgar, two of the most famous mages in the history of Warcraft. The catacombs below them have remained a mystery for over 20 years that players have tried to uncover.
Originally a thick metal grate blocked the entrance to the catacombs. However, some curious players naturally glitched through, only to find… nothing. Back then, there simply wasn’t much to see there, except for a few strange and creepy scenes.
Today, the catacombs are at least necessary to obtain the mounts Lucid Nightmare and Incognitro. Starting at the end of January, you can also visit them as a real dungeon with friends.
Blizzard plans big events for the Season of Discovery
The Karazhan Crypts are set to introduce a new “darkness mechanic” where players “must cluster together and stay in the light,” according to the official blog post. The dungeon is expected to be a challenge for well-equipped heroes.
Also starting on January 29 is the Scourge invasion. Here it is said that, unlike before, there should be “no end in sight.” What exactly this means is not revealed by the developers.
A week later, on February 6, Naxxramas will open. The raid can be entered with 20 to 40 players. You will find new mechanics and the “empowerment” difficulty level here. New secrets are expected from the end bosses Sapphiron and Kel’thuzad.
Marvel Rivals has quickly become a favorite shooter for many players and a competitor to Overwatch. The developer studio NetEase is now taking action against cheaters in the game. A player has now been hit with a severe ban.
What kind of cheating hardware is this? The player likely played on a console, but instead of using a controller, used a mouse and keyboard. For this, he used a “converter” to make the game believe he had a controller connected.
This gives him a huge advantage over other console players, which is called “Ximming.”
With a mouse and keyboard, aiming is much faster and more precise than with a controller. Generally, console players are at a disadvantage compared to PC players, though this is supposed to be balanced out with aim assist.
Start video
Marvel Rivals kicks off the first season with a new trailer
Player receives a 100-year ban
The penalty lasts that long: In a post on X, you can see a screenshot of the banned player’s screen:
The screenshot states that cheating has been detected and the account is banned until December 19, 2124 – exactly 100 years until the player can play again. He likely cheated on December 19, 2024, so his punishment takes effect from that point.
Since the ban was only just addressed and punished by Marvel Rivals, it seems that the developer studio is currently dealing with cheaters and applying appropriate penalties to accounts.
How does the community react? In the comments under the post, there is a lot of support for how Marvel Rivals handles cheaters. Users write among other things:
You pulled Gengar ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket and want to build a deck with it? Then you will find all the information about the Gengar ex Deck here and whether it is worth it.
What kind of card is Gengar ex? Gengar ex is a Stage-2 Pokémon that evolves from Ghastly and Haunter.
It has 170 HP and uses Psychic-type energies. Its special ability is “Shadow Bind”. Thanks to this ability, your opponent cannot play any supporter cards from their hand as long as Gengar ex is in the active position.
Furthermore, Gengar ex has the attack Spook Shot, which deals 100 damage. However, you must have three Psychic energies on your Gengar ex to use it.
As a ghost classic from the first generation, Gengar is a popular Pokémon. But how do you build a deck around Gengar ex and is it worth it? We’ll take a closer look here.
Start video
Here are the 3 best decks for Pokémon TCG Pocket!
Gengar ex Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket – What does it have?
Which cards are essential for the deck? Since you want to evolve Gengar ex, you definitely need:
2x Ghastly
2x Haunter
2x Gengar ex
Which cards should go into the deck? A number of typical supporter and item cards should be included in the deck. So:
2x Poké Ball
2x Professor’s Research
2x Sabrina
2x X Initiative
Which cards can go into the deck? With the cards mentioned above, you have already used up 14 slots. Now there are several options:
What do you want to achieve with the deck? The great strength of a Gengar ex deck is controlling the opponent. You prevent the use of cards like Pyro, Koga, the strong Misty, Giovanni, or Sabrina with Gengar ex. Even the Professor’s Research no longer works. This way, you can simply shut down many strong combos as long as Gengar ex is in the active position.
Cards like the Pidgeot line, Hypno, or Smogul fit well with this. They inflict effects on your opponents like sleep (Hypno), poison (Smogul) or alter which Pokémon your opponent can have in the active position. The fossil card can also be used to buy you time until you have Gengar in play.
Once Gengar is in play, it will be hard for the opponent. With 170 HP, it is tough to beat, and its attack causes significant trouble with 100 damage.
The major weakness of the Gengar ex deck: You must get Gengar into play first, which is not so easy due to its Stage-2 evolution. So you’re playing for time while you evolve your Gengar and feed it energy.
This also means that you might not be able to stop some of your opponent’s supporter cards if they are activated early in the game. Especially Misty and Professor’s Research are candidates that are more likely to be played early.
Overall, Gengar ex decks do not perform very well in comparison either. It remains to be seen how this will look when more cards come into play. Even now, the deck can score if the strategy goes well. After all, opponents probably expect the least a Gengar deck. If you are looking for some other options anyway: Here you can find the current tier list of the best decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A mod for GTA 5 was released just a few weeks ago and has already been banned by Rockstar Games. This not only shatters the hopes of many fans but also nullifies years of work.
What kind of mod is it? It is called “Liberty City Preservation Project” and comes from a team of GTA fans who have been working on it for several years. Specifically, the work on the mod began in 2018 – about six years ago.
This is an extensive mod that, as the name suggests, integrates Liberty City into GTA 5. The city from the fourth installment differs in some ways from Los Santos in GTA 5.
While the latter is inspired by sunny Los Angeles, Rockstar clearly based Liberty City on New York. Consequently, everything is a bit grayer and less optimistic. Those who wanted this slightly different atmosphere in GTA 5 could achieve it with the new mod.
It offered the entire map of Liberty City, including pedestrians, traffic, and various weather scenarios. Moreover, there were some improvements in lighting mood and textures.
However, the fun is over, as the mod has been officially banned by Rockstar. And this is despite the fact that much more is supposed to happen regarding mod support in the sequel GTA 6.
Start video
Gaming expert fears: GTA 6 will be so big that it will consume all the time and money of gamers
A Bitter Refusal
What does the modding team say? On Discord, the mod developer nkjellman spoke up. He announced the end of the project and explained it as follows:
Due to the unexpected attention that our project has received, and after consultation with Rockstar Games, we have decided to discontinue the Liberty City Preservation project. We thank everyone for all the support the project has received and look forward to continuing to pursue our passion for modding the Grand Theft Auto series.
It sounds as if the end of the mod was mutually agreed upon in the discussion. However, as fans of the project on Discord and reddit are skeptical about this and believe that Rockstar simply took the mod offline ruthlessly, nkjellman emphasized:
This is not a DMCA (copyright infringement) but a friendly takedown that was mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. There is no negativity between us and Rockstar Games / Take-Two Interactive.
From now on, it is prohibited to share active download links to the mod on the Discord server. Furthermore, the modder advises against using unofficial links to still play the mod.
“Yes, it was clear that this would happen… Lesson? Stop using mods that heavily rely on copyrighted intellectual property. Work on them, release them on the internet when they’re done, and then disappear,” suggests Lef4DayZGone.
oOkukukachuOo agrees: “The moral of the story: Stop giving these projects so much media attention. It’s not good for them. Keep it underground where it belongs until it comes out.”
“Or even better, stop sacrificing your time for a product that a company has abandoned, because it will never appreciate your effort,” writes Envy661.
Nintendo explained in a conversation that it wants to deliver enough “Switch 2” consoles at launch. An analyst states: Nintendo has prepared supply chains.
The Switch 2 has finally been unveiled. However, there are already concerns that there could be supply difficulties. Some players worry about the release of the PS5: The console was hardly available, and scalpers snapped up the few available units to resell them at high prices.
However, according to the English-speaking site Bloomberg, Nintendo is said to have everything planned out so that every interested player could also buy a console.
Start video
Nintendo showcases the Switch 2 for the first time in a trailer
Analyst says: Nintendo aims to deliver millions of consoles at launch
What does the analyst say? Robin Zhu, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, spoke with the English-speaking magazine Bloomberg ahead of the announcement. He told the magazine that Nintendo has prepared a supply chain network that will allow the company to sell more than 20 million units in the first year.
Bloomberg also cited comparative data: At the launch of the first Switch, 15 million units were sold. With that, they aim to offer significantly more consoles at the launch of the Switch 2.
Is that enough? Whether that will be sufficient at launch remains to be seen. Because since then, significantly more devices have been sold: According to Statista.com, Nintendo has now sold around 145 million Switch devices.
However, whether everyone will really want to upgrade to the new model is still unknown. This will likely also determine which games will be presented exclusively for the Switch 2. Because Nintendo has already announced: The Switch 2 is backward compatible, but there will be exclusive titles. In technical terms, these are so-called “System Sellers”: The games that are meant to accelerate hardware sales. For example, the next big Pokémon game.
Scalpers caused chaos and high prices at the PS5 launch
What are scalpers, anyway? There are only unpleasant translations for the English word “scalper” in German. Simply put, it refers to people who buy certain products that are only very limited in availability. Once they own the scarce stock, they sell the products at inflated prices. This applies to shoes, expensive brands, or also game consoles.
While proponents see it as a brilliant business idea, especially players and those affected reject scalpers’ behavior as extortion.
Molunk and its evolution Amfira are considered a bit strange in Pokémon TCG Pocket. What do we combine them with?
This is Molunk: Molunk is a Fire card with 60 HP. For a colorless energy, it can use Poison Spit. The attack deals 10 damage, but adds an additional 40 if the opposing Pokémon is poisoned. There is also a nice special version of Molunk in the Mysterious Island Set, which you can see in the title image.
Molunk evolves into Amfira. Amfira has 80 HP and can use “Poison Claws” for a Fire energy. It deals 30 damage and poisons the opposing Pokémon.
Here you can see both cards:
Molunk and Amfira
What makes Molunk strange? Some trainers note that the two cards feel swapped. If Amfira, the evolution, had the extra poison damage, it could benefit from an opponent’s poisoning caused by Molunk.
This way, Molunk is theoretically the stronger attacker. However, Molunk itself cannot cause the opponent to be poisoned.
In general, both cards fit well in decks trying to poison opponents. Especially Molunk is interesting here, as it can deal a lot of damage for little energy when the opponent is already poisoned. It might even be more useful than Amfira.
Therefore, it’s worth taking a second Molunk, but only one Amfira. This way, you can evolve your first Molunk and take advantage of the poisoning by Amfira with a second Molunk.
However, the cards are primarily suitable as a complement to typical poison deck cards. These include:
Smogmog, which reliably poisons opponents
Sleima, also a poisoner
Sleimok, which deals extra damage similar to Molunk when poisoned (120 in the best case, but also for 3 energies)
Koga: With this, you can return Sleimog or Smogmog to your hand – for example, to bring Molunk when you want to deal damage quickly but are lacking in energies
Typical cards like the Poké Ball to get Molunk quickly onto the bench or into the active position
Leaf or X-Initiative to quickly swap an Amfira after poisoning for something else
The cool thing about Molunk: It uses colorless energy and can thus be used in any type of deck. Fire energies are needed for Amfira. Especially plant decks can quickly be pressured by Molunk, as extra damage is dealt. This also includes the extremely strong, popular Celebi deck – you can read more about it here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Nintendo has officially introduced the Switch 2. MeinMMO presents the new information and the first images of the Switch 2.
Nintendo presented its next gaming console on January 16, 2025: the Switch 2. The design and structure are very similar to the previous model of the Switch, but there are some significant adjustments. Here you see the official video from Nintendo with the announcement:
Start video
Nintendo showcases the Switch 2 for the first time in a trailer
Nintendo Switch 2: Release and price still unknown, more info in April
When will the Switch 2 be released? Nintendo only states the release year as 2025. There is not yet a specific date. Further information about the Switch 2 is expected on April 2 during the next Nintendo Direct, including the first exclusive titles.
What will the Switch 2 cost? A price is currently not known. Nintendo will probably announce the price during the Nintendo Direct.
What kind of display will be used? This is not yet known. Nintendo may use either an LCD or an OLED display.
Switch 2: The new kickstandSwitch 2 with new docking stationSwitch 2: The new Joycons are bigger
Important changes at a glance:
There will still be Joy-Cons, but the new ones for the Switch 2 will be larger. Additionally, they will use a new connection through which they can connect to the display.
The Switch 2 will have a new kickstand. The original kickstand on the Switch 1 was criticized for its cheap construction and was already modified for the OLED variant.
The new model is physically larger than the predecessor model.
The Switch 2 can play both old generation (Switch 1) and new generation games. Like the PS5 and Xbox, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible.
Nintendo points out in its announcement that some old generation games may not be compatible. However, Nintendo does not specify which ones.
Similarities with the Switch 1:
The Switch 2 will continue to offer both a handheld and a TV mode. The docking station looks very similar to the model of the old Switch. Whether the new docking station will also feature a LAN port like the OLED version is still unknown.
The layout of the Joycons remains the same.
Missing information about the Switch 2:
Exclusive titles for the launch are still unknown.
The price is still unknown.
The release date has not been officially announced yet.
The installed display has not been classified yet.
The installed hardware (CPU, GPU, RAM, internal storage, expandable storage) is also still unknown.
The first images of the Switch 2 from the announcement
Will there be exclusive games? Yes, according to Nintendo there will be exclusive titles for the Switch 2. However, the new model is backwards compatible with the old generation: You can still play your old Switch games on the new console.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has introduced content that the zombie mode will receive with Season 2. Included is a feature that players wished for shortly after the release of the shooter.
What have fans been waiting for? With Season 2, the zombie mode of Black Ops 6 will finally allow players to pause during cooperative play when all players in the session are in the same party.
Until now, it has not been possible to pause in the zombie mode when playing with others. This was only possible in solo runs. Some members of the community therefore wished for a pause button to be available in the coop mode shortly after the release.
Season 2 of Black Ops 6 starts on January 28, 2025.
Start video
Black Ops 6: Gameplay trailer for Citadelle des Morts shows new fights against zombies
Why is a pause function so important? It is, of course, possible to survive many waves of zombies in coop play. A run can easily last several hours. If you want to grab a quick bite, need to use the restroom, or just need a short break from the screen, players had to help each other.
A short interruption was only possible if your friends kept a zombie alive and lured it around the map during the “pause,” so that no new round with countless enemies started or the zombie attacked the absent player. A pause for all players simultaneously was not possible.
What else is new for zombies? With the start of Season 2, Black Ops 6 Zombies will also receive a new map called “The Thomb.”
Additionally, with Season 2, it will now be possible to track up to 10 calling card and camo challenges, so you can keep better track of your progress. If you are tracking fewer than 10 challenges, you will instead see challenges that are close to completion.
In Palworld, you need high-quality Pal oil for a variety of items. In our guide, we will show you how to farm this.
You mainly need high-quality Pal oil for crafting items, especially for weapons of levels 21 – 50. Here you will find out where to obtain the material and what you can craft with it.
Update from 16.01.2025: The article has been updated to the latest version.
Start video
Palworld: How you can level up quickly
How to find high-quality Pal oil
You primarily obtain high-quality Pal oil from Pals by defeating them. To get high-quality Pal oil as early as possible, it is advisable to go to desert areas. In the screenshot, you can see this area highlighted in orange. The Pals there have a level between 12 and 19.
In this area, you will find Pal oil
The following Pals give you Pal oil as loot:
Digtoise
Dumud
Elpidran
Grintale
Mammorest
Quivern
Woolipop
Flambelle
Relaxaurus
Can you also buy high-quality Pal oil? The short answer is: Yes. Some wandering merchants regularly offer high-quality Pal oil in their stock. One of these merchants, for example, can be found in a small village, as shown in the screenshot. You can also catch a wandering merchant to access their stock permanently.
Merchant location for Pal oil – Screenshot via MapGenie.io
What you can do with high-quality Pal oil
The first real weapon you can unlock is the musket, which you can obtain at level 21 in the technology tree. To craft weapons in general, you need a weapons workbench, which you can unlock at level 20 in the technology tree.
At level 33 in the technology tree, you can also unlock polymer plates, for which you need 2x high-quality Pal oil to craft one. This will become important later, so you can craft even stronger weapons.
To craft the last weapon on our list, you will even need a circuit board. Circuit boards are made, among other things, from polymer plates and can be unlocked at level 35 in the technology tree.
Here is an overview for you of which weapons require high-quality Pal oil:
Weapon
unlockable at level
required crafting materials
Musket
21
25x metal bars, 5x high-quality Pal oil, 30x wood
Old Pistol
25
35x metal bars, 10x high-quality Pal oil, 30x fibers
Pistol
29
50x metal bars, 15x high-quality Pal oil
Single Shot Rifle
36
20x high-quality metal bars, 5x polymer plates
Double Barrel Shotgun
39
30x high-quality metal bars, 7x polymer plates
Pump Gun
42
30x high-quality metal bars, 20x polymer plates, 40x carbon fibers
Assault Rifle
45
40x high-quality metal bars, 10x polymer plates, 30x carbon fibers
Mordor in TheLord of the Rings is considered one of the most terrible and dangerous places in all of Middle-earth. However, in the movies, you only get a small glimpse into a world that harbors many other dangers. One of the most dangerous places is probably Nan Dungortheb.
What is Nan Dungortheb? Ered Gorgoroth is a mountain range in the north of Beleriand. There lies the valley called Nan Dungortheb, which is also known as Dark Valley of Death. In the Silmarillion, you learn more about this terrible place, which originated thousands of years before the events of the films.
Similar to Mordor, Nan Dungortheb is also a place of evil, yet it differs significantly from Mordor, primarily due to the source and nature of the malign forces.
The Rings of Power gives you more insights into the world of Middle-earth:
Start video
Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power: The official trailer for the series
The source of evil is a powerful being
Why is Nan Dungortheb so dangerous? Mordor is a place where evil is organized and directed. A ruler decides on the actions of the minions. Nan Dungortheb is different. The place was created by the being Ungoliant, who fled before Morgoth’s Balrogs after being betrayed. Morgoth was one of the most malicious beings in Middle-earth.
The spider being Ungoliant bred countless horrific creatures there. The offspring infested and covered everything in Nan Dungortheb with their webs, completely blocking the valley from light.
No other beings live in Nan Dungortheb either. There were no camps or settlements of other creatures nearby, and Morgoth’s armies were said to have avoided the place as well. It is like a dark labyrinth, surrounded by silence but also by thousands of malignant creatures.
The spider beings in Nan Dungortheb are instinctively destructive. They do not act for a greater goal but solely out of hunger and malignant nature. Anyone who gets lost there will most likely die in a brutal manner and end up as food.
The man Beren was one of the two known individuals to manage to travel through Nan Dungortheb and survive. However, he seemed to be so traumatized by the experiences that he never spoke about the place and the experience within it. Nan Dungortheb is pure chaos and thus a place full of horror.
A player of Genshin Impact recently lost his account, into which he had invested a lot of time: He was banned for 50 years due to the use of an auto-clicker to skip dialogues. This drastic measure has sparked heated discussions in the community.
How did the account ban happen? The affected player reported on TikTok that his high-ranking account was banned for 50 years. He claimed he did nothing wrong, but only used a so-called auto-clicker tool to skip dialogues in the game.
This is a program that automates repetitive actions—in this case, clicking through text passages.
The news is currently causing discussions on YouTube, as the auto-clicker is not a cheat that directly influences gameplay or gives the player an unfair advantage. The question arises of where exactly the line between allowed convenience and prohibited interference lies.
Start video
Genshin Impact: Trailer shows gameplay for Natlan
Players help themselves because there is no official solution
Where was the problem? The developers of Genshin Impact, HoYoverse, adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy against the use of third-party tools or mods. This leads to even seemingly harmless tools like auto-clickers being considered a violation of rules because they alter the gameplay mechanics.
No distinction is made between simple “quality of life” tools and unfair cheats.
From the developers’ perspective, such programs could represent a gray area that might jeopardize control over the gaming experience in the long run.
A Reddit post supports this view and explains that HoYoverse seems to pursue a clear artistic vision in which dialogues and narrative elements are essential to the gaming experience.
“A good example is the Meropide section: It dragged on endlessly and made me really tired of the place, almost as if I was really a prisoner of the fortress. If I could have skipped the dialogues, this section would not have had the same effect on me,” writes the Reddit user.
However, other community members long for an official feature to skip lengthy dialogues. One user on Reddit says: “Most of the Genshin fandom doesn’t consider that some people do not have the time to watch 4 hours of dialogues but still want to play the FPS parts of the game.”
Should players be worried about their accounts? For some players in the comments, the question now arises whether they too risk being banned. In principle, as long as one adheres to HoYoverse’s terms of use and does not use third-party software or mods, there is no reason for concern.
Moreover, the long-term ban of a player is probably rather unusual. A user on YouTube explains that there are warnings before a final ban: The first ban lasts 7 days, the second 30 days. Thus, the banned player would have been sufficiently warned and should not be overly surprised by the harsh ban. However, this cannot be verified.
For the banned player, it might be worth taking a look at alternatives to the RPG: 6 games like Genshin Impact. After all, they now have 50 years to spare. Some of the games even have such a loyal community that they were nominated for the audience award at the Game Awards.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Weapons play a crucial role in Monster Hunter – especially in the latest installment Monster Hunter Wilds. With around 14 different weapon types, it is often not easy for newcomers to find the right one.
Why is the right weapon important? The chosen weapon significantly shapes the gaming experience of every hunter. It is the loyal tool that accompanies players on their hunts and has a great influence on play style.
Among the 14 different weapon types, there is theoretically something for every player type. For example, there are particularly fast weapons, weapons that provide high mobility, or those that offer some protection alongside attacks. There are also weapons geared towards close or ranged combat.
The dilemma of choice often leads players to initially choose the particularly “cool” or “exotic” weapon types because they attract interest. However, these often prove to be complex in terms of handling.
As a result, it’s common for newcomers to make poor choices when selecting their weapons. They underestimate that an inappropriate weapon can not only ruin their enjoyment of the game but also make it so that they find it hard to get into Monster Hunter.
To make the selection easier for you, MeinMMO introduces which weapons are particularly accessible and why they can be a good choice at the beginning.
Who is writing here? MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein has over 1,000 hours of experience as a monster hunter. Over the years, he has played many titles on various consoles and prefers to hunt with dual blades.
[toc]
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds: Daisy Ridley explains the lore
Sword and Shield
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds: This is how it plays with Sword & Shield
Even though Sword and Shield may initially sound boring compared to other weapon types, this combination is probably the most versatile option for newcomers. It allows for fast attacks and simple dodging maneuvers, keeping players flexible and preventing them from being caught up in long combos. At the same time, the shield provides the ability to block attacks, which offers more safety for newcomers.
A significant advantage is also that players can use items, such as healing potions, without having to sheathe their weapon. The simple combos and effectiveness against many monsters make Sword and Shield the perfect choice for beginners who want to learn the game and its mechanics at a comfortable pace.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Trailer for the action RPG showcases the dual blades
Dual blades are particularly accessible because they allow for quick consecutive attacks and are relatively easy to handle. Their high mobility enables players to dodge easily and makes them less vulnerable to monster attacks. The Demon Mode provides an easy way to temporarily increase damage at the press of a button when the opportunity arises.
Additionally, dual blades do not have complicated charging or timing elements, making it easier for newcomers to get started. They can focus entirely on attacking and dodging. This dynamic makes dual blades ideal for players who want to jump into the action without having to practice combos beforehand.
On the next page, we continue with the hammer, the bow guns, and the lance.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
How successful was Space Marine 2? Launched in September 2024, Space Marine 2 is among the most successful games of the year. On Steam, it has over 100,000 reviews and is 83% positive. The shooter is praised for its dynamic gameplay as well as its good level design.
Financially, the game has also paid off for the developers at Saber Interactive and publisher Focus Entertainment. With over 4.5 million units sold by October 2024, the third-person shooter has become a hit on Steam (via X.com).
The CCO of Saber Interactive even stated that Space Marine 2 fundamentally changed the studio’s perspective, and they now view things “through a different lens” (via ign.com). An important reason for the success is the combination of accessible gameplay with the faithful implementation of the “Warhammer 40,000” universe. Plenty of action and a fitting atmosphere seem to be the reason for the great success.
But not only the developers and publisher of Space Marine 2 have reason to be happy. The good sales figures also mean high revenue for the licensors Games Workshop.
Here you can see what content to expect in Space Marine 2 soon:
Start video
Space Marine 2 shows in the video what content is coming in the next few months
This is what the future of Warhammer as a video game looks like
What does the head say about the future of the brand? Despite the success of Space Marine 2, Games Workshop CEO Kevin Rountree warns against taking success for granted. In a recent financial report, he explains: “We recognize that successes like this for Warhammer are not a given. Of course, we are already looking for the next big title. However, we remain cautious in forecasting royalties.” (via ctfassets.net)
The reason for the good revenues in Games Workshop’s gaming sector is, according to Rountree, both the established games and the licensing revenues generated through Space Marine 2 and the racing game Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks. The high-quality gaming experience of Space Marine 2 appears to have fit perfectly into Games Workshop’s strategy.
In the future, the company plans to maintain the momentum gained from Space Marine 2 but wants to approach it with realistic expectations, as replicating such success is not guaranteed.
What about the next Warhammer game? After the mega hit Space Marine 2, Games Workshop is already working on new projects for the brand. One highlight is expected to be Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II, which is currently being developed by Bulwark Studios. Details or even a release date are not yet known.
Besides Space Marine 2, Games Workshop was also able to achieve a small success with Speed Freeks, a combat racing game by Caged Element. The game has 78% positive reviews on Steam. With a peak player count of 66 during weekends on Steam (via SteamDB), the player base, however, is very small.
With Space Marine 2, Games Workshop has set high expectations for revenue from the licensing business, so it’s logical that the company is on the lookout for the next big hit. A Warhammer MMO is also said to be in the works. What we know about it can be found here: A new MMO for Warhammer sounds almost too good to be true – Here’s what we know
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Marvel Rivals offers many superheroes from the Marvel universe as playable heroes as a hero shooter. Not only familiar faces appear, but also many heroes that you might not know from the MCU universe of games and movies. MeinMMO explains 7 of the most unusual heroes to you.
How was the list created? In this list, we show you the most unusual heroes that you can play in Marvel Rivals. Several factors come into play:
No major appearance in MCU series or films
It may be that the characters on this list appeared in other films, but they had no significant role there
The mentioned characters have unusual abilities in the comics and other media
Feel free to write in the comments which quirky hero you would like to see for the game.
You can watch a trailer for the new season of Marvel Rivals here:
Start video
Marvel Rivals kicks off the first season with a new trailer
1. Peni Parker
Peni Parker in the movie Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse
First appearance: Edge of Spider-Verse No. 5 (2014)
Who is Peni Parker? Instead of gaining spider powers through a bite, Peni is a mech pilot. A radioactive spider helps her control her bionic suit SP//dr. After the death of her father, she takes on the role of New York’s protector. Besides that, she is an ordinary student (via Marvel.com).
She is a clear reference to mech anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Gundam.
What are Peni Parker’s abilities?
The ability to control the mech suit SP//dr
Genetic connection with a radioactive spider
2. Psylocke
Psylocke in the movie X-Men: Apocalypse
First appearance: Captain Britain No. 8 (1976)
Who is Psylocke? Elizabeth Braddock is a mutant who has already been seen on screen in X-Men: Apocalypse. Her trademark is her psionic sword. However, she can also shoot projectiles with her telekinetic and psionic powers. Her twin brother is another superhero named Captain Britain (via Marvel.com).
What are Psylocke’s abilities?
Telekinetic katana/sword
Telekinetic abilities
Immunity to telekinetic manipulation
Trained in martial arts
Mind manipulation
Trained assassin
Superhuman strength, from Captain Britain’s suit
Some variations can: fly and create barriers
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The anime adaptation of Pokémon had some emotional moments. In one, Ash even had to cry. This scene made it into a card in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
What kind of scene is this? In the 21st episode of the Pokémon anime, Ash, Brock, and Misty encounter several Butterfree. They perform a dance ritual to find a partner for life. Ash lets his own Butterfree out of the Pokéball, but there are no other Pokémon interested in his butterfly Pokémon.
By the end of the episode, however, Ash’s Butterfree meets a partner. The two fall in love, and Ash accepts that he must send his Pokémon into the wild. The scene takes place against a beautiful sunset, and there are several scenes showing how the little Caterpie transformed into the Butterfree that Ash is now saying goodbye to.
The scene was particularly sad because Caterpie was Ash’s first self-caught Pokémon. Not only did Ash shed a few tears at the farewell, but many viewers also cried along with the ten-year-old Pokémon Trainer. Those who want to watch the scene again can do so on the YouTube channel of Netflix Anime.
MeinMMO reveals more reasons why Pokémon TCG Pocket is pure nostalgia:
Start video
Pokémon TCG Pocket scores with pure nostalgia
A card in Pokémon TCG Pocket reminds of a sad moment
In which card is it featured? In the Reddit forum, a user shares the image of the Butterfree card from Pokémon TCG Pocket. The image shows a Butterfree in the foreground and another in the background. The two Pokémon are flying towards the sunset.
The illustration bears a strong resemblance to the scene you know from the anime. Therefore, many users are reminded of their childhood when they cried along with Ash at the farewell of Butterfree.
What do the users say? Many are convinced that the image of the card alludes to the scene in the anime. User Bluepaynxex believes that the developers of the mobile game are great fans of Pokémon, which is reflected in their attention to detail in designing the cards. A proof of this is the many locations from the video games that are hidden in the cards.
Some commenters write about how emotional this scene makes them. One user asks who is cutting onions, and another replies that they still haven’t gotten over this scene.
In the game itself, Butterfree is unfortunately not a strong card. If you want to build one of the strongest decks, you should take a look at MeinMMO’s Tier List. Here you will find an overview of all strengths, weaknesses, and a ranking: Pokémon TCG Pocket: Tier List of the best Meta decks
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The question of whether Diablo 4 is too easy continues to spark discussions among players. On Reddit, the community provides a clear answer – and it primarily relates to players’ expectations.
What kind of discussion is this? Compared to Path of Exile 2, which officially launched in Early Access in December 2024, Diablo 4 is significantly less complex. While PoE 2 requires players to “study” numerous build options and an absurdly large skill tree, its biggest competitor is perfect for casual players. And for the “gamer dads” who want to have a few relaxed gaming hours after work.
On Reddit, a user now asks whether the community truly believes that the game is too easy. Especially when disregarding the OP builds.
Start video
Diablo 4 shows the new level system and difficulty levels in the video
“Diablo 4 is my go-to for relaxed sessions”
What response does the player get? The general sentiment in the comments in the post is that while Diablo 4 is not difficult, that’s actually a good thing. Players use the game to unwind. They want to slay a few monsters without having to overthink.
We summarize a few comments for you:
AlisonSandraGator writes: “I like that it’s easy. It’s not a game that is supposed to challenge me. It’s a game I play when I want to listen to podcasts and just relax while taking down monsters.”
SuperDoubleDecker writes: “I’m a ‘filthy casual’ and I don’t play for the challenge. I play to mindlessly blow things up. I guess for people who play a game for 10 hours every day, it’s all very easy and trivial. Most people don’t do that.”
Minute_Ad2642 says: “Diablo 4 is extremely easy, but it’s fun.”
Dune6667 advises: “For people who think the game is too easy: I suggest starting the new season with a class you’ve never played before, without checking any online guides.”
Soggy-North4085 writes: “I just want to relax, think of a fun build (not one that a content creator made), and kill hordes of enemies while collecting loot. I come from loot shooters […]. I’ve been playing Diablo 4 since the beta and love it.”
Gumijohn explains: “If I want to play something challenging, I start Path of Exile 2. Diablo 4 is my go-to for relaxed sessions.”
For some, it was also the entry into the ARPG genre. Objective-Air5639 writes: “This was my first Diablo game, and I think it was a nice introduction to a game of this type. I have since switched to Path of Exile 2, and the game is super challenging.”
In the comments, heartbroken_nerd notes that while Diablo 4 is overall too easy, many of these changes stem from the community’s wishes. Therefore, it is difficult to hold Blizzard accountable. He explains that most players are eager to play on Torment 4. Other Torment levels are not being considered, although that would make sense. This leads to a “power creep.” “Making the game harder would ultimately mean taking back all the buffs that people explicitly wanted,” he summarizes.
In an interview with KIWI TALKZ, developer Dennis Mejillones talked about working at Bethesda on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Together with another developer, he saved a creature from being cut from the game: the werewolf.
Which creatures are we talking about? The werewolves are powerful creatures in Skyrim. Players can become one themselves by completing the Companions questline. Infected with lycanthropy, players can transform into a werewolf at any time and slay their enemies with bare claws.
Start video
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Official Trailer
The werewolves were “really bad”
Why shouldn’t there be werewolves? According to Dennis Mejillones, the original concept of werewolves was “really bad”. They were essentially just humans with a dog head. It was a kind of Khajiit, just in dog form.
With this concept, Bethesda did not want werewolves in their game and discarded the idea for a while.
Developers secretly work overtime
This is what the developers did: Developers Dennis Mejillones and his colleague Jeremy Bryant were not satisfied with that. Secretly, they worked on another demo of the werewolves outside of their working hours.
They came up with a new concept for the creatures. They should not be normal humans, but must truly be monsters. Just like they are depicted in other media.
Dennis Mejillones states in the interview:
I basically designed a large, animalistic werewolf, and Jeremy and I worked on getting it into the game. We really did it secretly – we stayed late at night, did everything possible to get a playable demo together. I remember we kept it very, very quiet.
Eventually, they presented their new concept and demo to Todd Howard himself. He was thrilled and included the werewolves, as we know them now, in Skyrim. Todd Howard even ignored the objections and concerns of other developers who still doubted the werewolves.
You can watch the entire interview on YouTube here:
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In conclusion, Dennis Mejillones says that the idea was probably only taken because he could present a playable demo. If it had only stayed at models, the werewolves wouldn’t have made it into the role-playing game.
The fundraising campaign Awesome Games Done Quick kicks off 2025 with over 2.5 million US dollars in collected donations. The reason for this is gamers showcasing their skills in speedrunning.
What kind of fundraising campaign is this? Awesome Games Done Quick is an annual event where gamers come together for various speedruns of games. Donations are collected, often for the Prevent Cancer Foundation or the Doctors Without Borders Foundation.
A speedrun is about completing a game as quickly as possible. There are different categories with their own rules. For example, games can be completed using or not using glitches and bugs. The version of a game also plays a role.
Speedrunners can apply with their speedrun for the event and are then assigned a time and a stage. A live audience watches the speedrun, and the event is simultaneously broadcasted on the Twitch channel GamesDoneQuick. Afterward, the individual speedruns are uploaded to the namesake YouTube channel.
This year, Games Done Quick took place from January 5 to 12.
Feel free to check out this interview with Bisalina, who talks about the speedrunning scene:
Start video
Interview with Bisalina – This is the current speedrunning scene and its development over the years
Speedrunning for a good cause
How much money was raised? This year’s event raised a total of 2,556,305 US dollars for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The foundation focuses on programs that ensure cancer can be detected more quickly or, ideally, completely prevented.
By offering their own categories or special actions in the upcoming video games, viewers are encouraged to donate more. For example, viewers can decide which ending they want to see in a video game. They can then donate for their preferred ending, and all proceeds benefit the foundation in the end.
Overall, Games Done Quick has raised over 54 million US dollars in its 15-year history. The highest revenue was in the summer of 2022 with 3.4 million US dollars.
Speedrun with live band
A special highlight of the fundraising campaign was the speedrun by Chuckles825, who played Crazy Taxi while a live band provided the music in the background. They covered the songs featured in the game.
Every time the speedrunner made a mistake, such as failing to complete a level, the band would start playing again. Additionally, the speedrun involved the live audience. With their donations, the viewers could decide which vehicle the speedrunner had to use.
You can watch the speedrun on YouTube here:
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The grand finale of Demon Slayer will no longer be shown as a season, but as a film trilogy. Thanks to several leaks, we also know when the first anime film will premiere in theaters in Germany.
When is it happening? In Germany, the first film of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is scheduled to premiere on September 25, 2025. This is relatively late compared to when the anime will premiere in other countries:
In France, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is set to premiere on September 17, 2025 (via ComingSoon.net), which is about a week before the German release.
Fans in the USA might get to see the film even earlier: it is expected to hit theaters on September 12, 2025 (via X). That would be almost 2 weeks ahead of Germany.
It has happened before that anime films start in different countries at different times. One Piece Film: Red premiered on August 6, 2022, while in Germany it didn’t release until October 11, 2022.
You can watch the teaser trailer for the Infinity Castle here:
Start video
Demon Slayer: Trailer for the Infinity Castle Arc Movie
German cinema wants to obscure the film, gets everything wrong in the process
Where does the leak come from? The leak comes from CineStar, a cinema chain in Germany. The film was briefly listed there as an “Untitled Sony/Crunchyroll/Aniplex” event film, stating the exact release date of September 25, 2025. The page has since been deleted.
The big mistake: Both in the link and in the film description, it stated that the film is Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. If you want to verify this leak yourself, you can access the page via Web Archive.org.
Where can I see the film? Since CineStar has already listed the film, we can assume that it will be shown in participating theaters of the chain. Presumably, Infinity Castle will then be available on the anime streaming service Crunchyroll after a few weeks. The exact timing has not yet been disclosed.
When will the other films come out? Unfortunately, there is still no information about the second and third films. We suspect that they will release at one-year intervals, so in 2026 and 2027.
The Thunderstruck event brought a series of new cards to EA FC 25 that have the chance for upgrades. With our tracker on MeinMMO, you are well informed about the progress and improvements of all players. We also show you when the stars have the next opportunity for upgrades.
Update from January 16, 2025 (09:00 AM): We have updated the tracker with the latest, detailed upgrades. Only Svenja Huth from VfL Wolfsburg still has the chance for upgrades.
What is Thunderstruck as an event? The promo brought really strong players and icons to Ultimate Team. All cards can even become better over the next few weeks.
The players’ upgrades depend on the real performances of their clubs (for icons, their former clubs). It doesn’t matter whether the player appears on the card itself.
How do players receive upgrades? To receive improvements, the teams of the players must meet the following requirements:
The team wins 2 of the next 5 league matches → +2 PlayStyles (PS) and 1 Role+
for women: 1 of the next 5 league matches → +2 PlayStyles (PS) and 1 Role+
The team scores 6 goals in the next 5 league matches → +1 Overall Rating (OVR) and 1 Role+
for women: 4 goals in the next 5 league matches → +1 Overall Rating (OVR) and 1 Role+
All matches from November 29, 2024, will be considered for progress.
Start video
EA FC 25 trailer shows new features for Ultimate Team
Thunderstruck Tracker: All Players, Upgrades, and Dates
This is what the Thunderstruck Tracker offers you: The table shows you players, ratings, clubs, and positions. Improved ratings are bold and marked with a ⬆️. Behind that, you can see all new PlayStyles of the cards including those that have been added through the upgrades.
In the columns “Wins”/”Goals” you can see the progress for the improvements. If the player has met the requirement, you will see it marked with a green check ✅. You can also identify behind it which new player role is available.
The last two columns provide information about when the player has the next chance for upgrades or whether they still have open matches available.
To keep track of the total of 54 Thunderstruck cards, we have divided them into players and icons.
All Thunderstruck Players (37 Cards)
Player (Rating)
Club (Position)
new PlayStyles (compared to Gold)
Wins/Goals
Goals
next match
open
Mbappé (94)⬆️
Real Madrid (ST)
-Unyielding. -Lob
2/2✅ Setpoint+
6/6✅ Wing Motor+
Upgrades received
/
De Bruyne (93)⬆️
Manchester City (CM)
-Curled Shot -Technique
1/2❌
6/6✅ Box-to-Box+
/
/
Foden (92)⬆️
Manchester City (RF)
-Curled Shot -Quick Step -Cutting Pass -Hard Pass
1/2❌
6/6✅ Shadowstorm Pro+
/
/
Rashford (92)⬆️
Manchester United (LM)
-Curled Shot -Unyielding. -Hard Pass -Tricks
2/2✅ Wing Motor+
6/6✅ Wing+
Upgrades received
/
Reiten (91)⬆️
FC Chelsea (LM)
-Technique -Flair
1/1✅ Wing Motor+
4/4✅ Half Wing+
Upgrades received
/
Valverde (91)⬆️
Real Madrid (CM)
-Acrobatic. -Deciding Pass
2/2✅ Inside Storm Pro+
6/6✅ Security+
Upgrades received
/
Gyökeres (90)
Sporting Lisbon (ST)
-Powerful. -Speed -In the air -Powerful Header. -Quick Step -Lob
*Lombardia FC = Inter Milan, *Milano FC = AC Milan, *Bergamo Calcio = Atalanta Bergamo
All Thunderstruck Icons (17 Cards)
Player (Rating)
Club (Position)
new PlayStyles (compared to Base)
Wins
Goals
next match
open
Zidane (96)⬆️
Juventus Turin (CAM)
/
1/2❌
6/6✅ Box-to-Box+
/
/
Zico (93)⬆️
Udinese Calcio (CAM)
-Curled Shot -Tricks
2/2✅ Box-to-Box+
6/6✅ Half Wing+
Upgrades received
/
Gullit (93)⬆️
Milano FC* (CAM)
-Cutting Passes -Unyielding.
2/2✅ Motor+
6/6✅ False 9+
Upgrades received
/
Matthäus (92)⬆️
FC Bayern (CM)
-Long Pass -Intercept
2/2✅ Deep-lying Motor (CM)+
6/6✅ Half Wing+
Upgrades received
/
Raúl (92)⬆️
Real Madrid (ST)
-In the air -Powerful Shot
2/2✅ Shooting Pro++
6/6✅ Setpoint Pro+
Upgrades received
/
Rooney (91)⬆️
Manchester United (ST)
-Speed -First Touch
2/2✅ Shooting+
6/6✅ Motor+
Upgrades received
/
Smith (91)⬆️
FC Arsenal (ST)
-Speed -Tricks
1/1✅ Setpoint++
4/4✅ False 9+
Upgrades received
/
Jairzinho (91)⬆️
Olympique Marseille (RF)
-Acrobatic. -Tricks -First Touch
2/2✅ Wing+
6/6✅ Setpoint+
Upgrades received
/
Desailly (90)⬆️
FC Chelsea (CB)
-Calm -Intercept
2/2✅ Security+
6/6✅ Deep-lying Motor+
Upgrades received
/
Fernando Hierro (90)⬆️
Real Madrid (CB)
-Anticipation. -Intercept
2/2✅ Stopper+
6/6✅ Stopper++
Upgrades received
/
Riquelme (90)⬆️
FC Barcelona (CAM)
/
1/2❌
6/6✅ Classic 10+
/
/
Thuram (90)⬆️
FC Parma (RB)
-Intercept -Unyielding.
2/2✅ Falseback+
6/6✅ Wing Defender Pro+
Upgrades received
/
Vieira (90)⬆️
FC Arsenal (CM)
-Cutting Pass -Anticipation.
2/2✅ Motor+
6/6✅ Security++
Upgrades received
/
Rush (89)⬆️
FC Liverpool (ST)
-Powerful Shot -Quick Step Calm
2/2✅ Storm Pro++
6/6✅ False 9+
Upgrades received
/
Barnes (89)⬆️
FC Liverpool (LF)
-Hard Pass -Speed
2/2✅ Inside Storm Pro+
6/6✅ Wing Motor+
Upgrades received
/
Cole (88)⬆️
FC Chelsea (LW)
-Intercept -Unyielding.
2/2✅ Falseback+
6/6✅ Wing Defender Pro++
Upgrades received
/
Keane (88)⬆️
Manchester United (CM)
-Tiki-Taka -Deciding Pass
2/2✅ Motor++
6/6✅ Half Wing+
Upgrades received
/
Gattuso (88)⬆️
Milano FC*
-Push off. -Cutting Pass -Slide tackle -Intercept
2/2✅ Deep-lying Motor+
6/6✅ Box-to-Box+
Upgrades received
/
* AC Milan
When will the upgrades appear in the game? Since the matches in the leagues are mainly held on weekends, the upgrades will appear during the following week. The earliest they will be seen in Ultimate Team will be with the new Team of the Week, so Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.
With Thunderstruck, the third event with dynamic cards for Ultimate Team has now arrived. To not miss any upgrades, you can regularly check in at MeinMMO. We will continually update the article with the latest results and improvements. Another live promo also experiences new dynamics every week: EA FC 25 Pro Live Tracker: All Players, Upgrades, and Important Dates
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
