Month: December 2024

Who are the most loved and hated characters in Marvel Rivals?

The most famous superheroes are usually at the bottom of the table.

Marvel Rivals has become one of the major phenomena of late 2024. The multiplayer video game was released this December, gaining millions of players and breaking some Steam records. As in any good multiplayer game, there are characters that are more popular than others, but what happens in Marvel Rivals?

Marvel Rivals DOWNLOAD
Marvel Rivals is a thrilling, team-based PvP game that brings the expansive Marvel universe to life in a dynamic and engaging way. This action game allows players to assemble their dream teams from a wide array of beloved Marvel characters, including heroes and villains from the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and more.

The website Rivals Codex has released information about which heroes and villains are most used in Marvel Rivals. Depending on whether you play “Normal” or “Ranked” (ranking system), the choice of one character or another varies, so it is important to keep this in mind.

In the case of “Normal” mode, the chosen characters are clear:

  1. Jeff The Land Shark with a 55% and a 48.1% win rate.
  2. Cloak & Dagger with a 49% and a 52.8% win rate.
  3. Luna Snow with a 41% and a 53.7% win rate.
  4. Mantis with a 39% and a 58.7% win rate.
  5. Venom with a 37% and a 54.3% win rate.

But what happens in the “ranked”? Well, almost everything remains the same, but in a different order:

  1. Cloak & Dagger with a 62% and a 49.9% win rate.
  2. Mantis with a 53% and a 59% win rate.
  3. Luna Snow with a 51% and a 53.1% win rate.
  4. Jeff The Land Shark with a 44% and a 48.2% win rate.
  5. Peni Parker with a 42% and a 58.4% win rate.

Okay, we already have the most popular ones, but which are the most “hated”? Although it may be hard to believe, they are very popular characters in the comics:

Normal:

  1. Storm with a 9% and a 48.3% win rate.
  2. Namor with a 12% and a 51.8% win rate.
  3. Wolverine with a 13% and a 53.1% win rate.
  4. Black Widow with a 14% and a 47.8% win rate.
  5. Black Panther with a 14% and a 53% win rate.

Ranked:

  1. Storm with a 2% and a 56% win rate.
  2. Black Widow with a 3% and a 50.8% win rate.
  3. Wolverine with a 5% and a 54.7% win rate.
  4. Squirrel Girl with a 10% and a 52.5% win rate.
  5. Black Panther with a 12% and a 57% win rate.

Did you expect these results?

Marvel Rivals DOWNLOAD
Marvel Rivals is a thrilling, team-based PvP game that brings the expansive Marvel universe to life in a dynamic and engaging way. This action game allows players to assemble their dream teams from a wide array of beloved Marvel characters, including heroes and villains from the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and more.

Plagiarism or inspiration? The community claims that this game copies Black Myth: Wukong

Sometimes it is questionable what is inspiration and what is plagiarism. Especially if we ask the Chinese market. Not for nothing, but because of their culture, in China they do not have the same ideas as we do in the West about what plagiarism implies. They are much more inclined to copy and believe that a well-made copy, with style and elegance, has value in itself. Therefore, although there is a huge distance between inspiration and plagiarism in most cases, that does not prevent people from wanting to see conflicts where there are none. The […]

Sometimes it is questionable what is inspiration and what is plagiarism. Especially if we ask the Chinese market. Not for any particular reason, but because of their culture, in China they do not have the same ideas as we do in the West about what plagiarism implies. They are much more inclined to copy and believe that a well-done copy, with style and elegance, has value in itself. Therefore, although there is a huge distance between inspiration and plagiarism in most cases, that does not prevent people from wanting to see conflicts where there are none.

The latest major conflict is related to Black Myth: Wukong. A game highly celebrated in China, which has made a lot of noise but passed without much impact in the West, and now seems to have inspired another game. Or so it seems from all the people claiming that a game has plagiarized it, in the most absurd controversy in video games at the end of the year.

Wukong Sun: Black Legend is an action and platform game for Nintendo Switch whose cover, according to the community, looks practically identical to that of Black Myth: Wukong. And that’s where the similarities end. Similarities, moreover, based on having the same main character, as both are inspired by the novel Journey to the West, one of the great classic Chinese novels published in 1592. From which we do not believe either game has plagiarized anything, as both have taken inspiration and then been tremendously unoriginal with their covers.

Journey to the West, one of the most adapted novels in the world

In fact, drawing inspiration from Journey to the West is not something new. This is a novel with countless adaptations to film and television, which served as inspiration for Akira Toriyama to create Dragon Ball, which already inspired the creation of a video game in 2010, named Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, by Ninja Theory, and is an essential piece of Asian popular culture. So much so that it is even known in much of the West, making accusations of plagiarism absurd from their very origin.

That’s why, although the controversy is amusing, there is no plagiarism here. Only a common inspiration. And in passing, the possibility of discovering a game that might have gone unnoticed otherwise, as is the case with Wukong Sun: Black Legend.

Black Myth: Wukong DOWNLOAD
4
Black Myth: Wukong is a premium action game where you can explore a fantasy world inspired by the classic Chinese novel—Journey to the West. Here, your top priority is to unveil the truth that deals with the glorious legend from the past. To do so, you must embark on an adventure filled with challenges and surprises.

Not only are studios closing down: several Cartoon Network games are disappearing without notice

The situation of the video game industry is very precarious. After two years of weekly, if not daily, announcements of studio closures and massive layoffs, it’s easy to see the state it is in. Even so, it may seem that this doesn’t have to affect users. But that’s not the case. Games are made by people, and the less accumulated knowledge there is, the worse games will be created. And games are not exempt from this kind of dynamics. If you’re interested in Warner Bros games, buy them before Warner Bros. Discovery and Cartoon Network disappear […]

The situation of the video game industry is very precarious. After two years of weekly, if not daily, announcements of studio closures and massive layoffs, it’s easy to see the situation it is in. Even so, it may seem that this doesn’t have to affect users. But that’s not the case. Games are made by people, and the less accumulated knowledge there is, the worse games will be created. And games are not exempt from these kinds of dynamics either.

If you’re interested in Warner Bros games, buy them before they disappear

Warner Bros. Discovery and Cartoon Network Games have been planning for months to shut down their video game division. This also means removing all their games from physical and digital stores. They have decided to do this in the worst possible way: by surprise and without prior notice.

According to Wario64, at least five Cartoon Network Games have disappeared overnight. Later confirmed by Michael McWhertor of Polygon, the games that can no longer be purchased, although they can still be downloaded if you already own them, are OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes, Adventure Time: Finn and Jake’s Epic Quest, Adventure Time: Magic Man’s Head Games, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, Steven Universe: Save the Light, and Steven Universe: Unleash the Light.

Although there is no case where something like this is good, or even less bad, there is a particularly glaring case in all of this. That is Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time. A game that is not only excellent and underrated by critics and the public for being the license of an animated series, but it is also the canonical ending of the series. Leaving fans of the series with no way to enjoy the end of the story legally, unless they turn to the few second-hand copies of the game that may exist.

This deeply anti-consumer move is just one more example of Warner Bros.’ policies. Or the future of the video game industry if it continues down the same path. Because if it started with mass layoffs and continued with studio closures, the next step is the games. Both the removal of existing ones and the cancellation of those that should be released. This is just another reminder of how what happens in the industry also affects us as consumers.

Steam DOWNLOAD

Nintendo Switch Christmas offers: so you don't miss out on anything

The offers end this coming January 12th with up to 75% off.

Nintendo has kicked off its “Holiday Offers” Promotion. Behind this campaign lies, as one might imagine, a large number of discounts available within the Nintendo Switch eShop. Thanks to this, players will be able to get hundreds of video games at a cheaper price with up to 75% off.

Nintendo Switch Online DOWNLOAD

The Christmas promotional campaign started just a few days ago and will last until next January 12, although with a peculiarity: on December 24 and 30, more offers are added to all those already available, hence this article.

There are many discounts, but here we want to highlight the following:

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe extra track pass: from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
  • Nintendo Switch Sports: from 39.99 euros to 27.99 euros.
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons, from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
  • Hogwarts Legacy Digital Deluxe Edition, starting from 59.99 euros.
  • Overcooked: Special Edition, from 19.99 euros to 3.99 euros.
  • LEGO Harry Potter Collection, from 29.99 euros to 5.99 euros.
  • Among Us, from 4.29 euros to 2.57 euros.
  • Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition, from 59.99 euros to 5.99 euros.
  • Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, from 59.99 euros to 19.79 euros.
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, from 29.99 euros to 2.99 euros.
  • The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf, from 39.99 euros to 3.99 euros.
  • Splatoon 3, from 59.99 euros to 39.99 euros.
  • Asterix & Obelix XXL 2, from 14.99 euros to 0.99 euros.
  • Okami HD, from 19.99 euros to 4.99 euros.
  • LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, from 39.99 euros to 4.39 euros.
  • Final Fantasy VII, from 15.99 euros to 6.39 euros.
  • Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, from 39.99 euros to 19.99 euros.
  • Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, from 29.99 euros to 9.89 euros.
  • Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, from 19.99 euros to 6.59 euros.

Nintendo Switch Online DOWNLOAD

You can now play Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown for free

The trial is limited to PS5 until December 31st.

Do you like driving? This iconic question -asked by a famous car brand- is the one we borrow for today. The reason is very simple: the free trial of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is now available.

PlayStation App DOWNLOAD

The video game by Nacon and KT Racing can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 5. Thanks to this, players will be able to play at no cost until the next December 31, that is, almost five whole days where everyone can get a great idea of what the proposal brings.

The open-world driving game recently received the Season 2 content, whose main attraction was the arrival of a new location well known to everyone: Ibiza. In this free trial, players will be able to enjoy the island at no cost, as well as Hong Kong, which has been available since the beginning of the game itself.

Starting January 7, just a few days after the free trial ends, the game will be available with a 40% discount on its different editions to encourage its purchase.

It goes without saying that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown can also be enjoyed both on Xbox Series X | S and on PC. However, the free trial for these different platforms will not be available until later (the studio has not specified which day or month it will be released, so we just have to wait until that moment comes).

As soon as we have official confirmation from the studio, you’ll be the first to know here. In the meantime, PS5 player, take advantage of this free trial, as five days to try a game is plenty of time to know if you like it or not.

PlayStation App DOWNLOAD

Netflix goes all out in this science fiction thriller that will premiere in February

Science fiction is one of the most competitive genres in current streaming, and Netflix doesn’t want to be left behind at all. After releasing The Three-Body Problem in 2024, its biggest project directed by the creators of Game of Thrones, in 2025 it will return with Cassandra, a series that mixes psychological suspense with the impact of technology on human relationships. The plot follows a family that moves into the oldest smart house in Germany, a place uninhabited for more than five decades after a mysterious tragedy. Upon settling in, […]

Science fiction is one of the most competitive genres in current streaming, and Netflix does not want to be left behind at all. After releasing The Three-Body Problem in 2024, its biggest bet directed by the creators of Game of Thrones, in 2025 it will return with Cassandra, a series that mixes psychological suspense with the impact of technology on human relationships.

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.

Subscribe (it's FREE) ►

The plot follows a family that moves into the oldest smart house in Germany, a place uninhabited for more than five decades after a mysterious tragedy. Upon settling in, they activate Cassandra, the artificial intelligence that controls the home. But what initially seems like a fascinating coexistence with technology soon turns into an unsettling experience when Cassandra exhibits unexpected behaviors. Determined to integrate into the family, the AI manipulates its environment and its residents, revealing more dangerous and complex intentions than they could imagine.

Technology Dominates Everything

Under the direction of the German Benjamin Gutsche, Cassandra features a prominent cast from the country including Mina Tander, Joshua Kantara, Franz Hartwig, and Michael Klammer, while the voice of the AI is performed by Lavinia Wilson. The series will consist of six episodes that promise a perfect narrative for a marathon.

The thriller addresses current themes such as the dependence on technology, the limits of artificial intelligence, and the possible consequences of its integration into daily life. So, beyond being just a science fiction story, Cassandra raises profound questions about technological ethics and human emotions in an increasingly digitized world. With its world premiere scheduled for February 6, 2025, this production is positioned as one of the platform’s most ambitious offerings for the year.

Netflix DOWNLOAD

The second season of Squid Game has already premiered, and these are the key points you should keep in mind

The return of Squid Game to Netflix has been one of the most anticipated events of 2024, and the grand finale to a year full of successes for the platform. More than three years after its debut, the South Korean series, now a global phenomenon, picks up the story of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) with a second season that aims to surprise and conclude the story that began with the previous one. Below, we break down the key elements of this new installment. 1 – Gi-hun: Revenge as a driving force The season begins three years after the events of the […]

The return of Squid Game to Netflix has been one of the most anticipated events of 2024, and the grand finale to a year full of successes for the platform. After more than three years since its debut, the South Korean series, now a global phenomenon, resumes the story of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) with a second season that aims to surprise and conclude the story that began with the previous one. Below, we break down the key elements of this new installment.

1 – Gi-hun: Revenge as a Driving Force

The season begins three years after the events of the first installment. Gi-hun, tormented by the decisions that led him to survive the macabre game, returns with a clear objective: to destroy the organization behind the competition. This twist in the narrative gives greater depth to the character, who now appears more mature and consumed by his thirst for justice.

2 – New dynamics in the game

The creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has introduced changes in the game mechanics that add great surprises for the audience. One of the most shocking innovations is the implementation of the right to vote after each test, which forces participants to decide whether to continue or leave, with consequences that explore social polarization and moral tensions among everyone.

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.

Subscribe (it's FREE) ►

The new challenges maintain the brutal and anxious tone of the series, but with a larger production scale. Although some games replicate familiar dynamics, like the famous “Red Light, Green Light“, others bring very interesting unexpected twists.

3 – A Renewed and Diverse Cast

Alongside the returning characters, such as the Leader (Lee Byung-hun) and the recruiter (Gong Yoo), this season introduces new players with more varied profiles: an influencer, a cryptocurrency scammer, a mother with her child, and a trans woman. These additions, along with villains like rapper Choi Seung-hyun, enrich the subplots and reflect the many faces of contemporary society. Additionally, the life of some pink snipers is explored in depth, particularly a woman marked by a personal tragedy that will bring a tear to your eye.

4 – Social Criticism and Philosophy

Squid Game not only stands out for its violence and tension, but also for its sharp critique of the capitalist system. In this season, the focus on dividing players into opposing teams serves as a metaphor for the growing political and social polarization. The moral dilemmas of the characters, both inside and outside the game, invite the viewer to reflect on ethics, competitiveness, and the consequences of neoliberalism.

Netflix DOWNLOAD

5 – A Production Matching Its Success

Aesthetically, the Netflix series continues to dazzle, but now the level is much higher. The settings and games have reached a larger scale, with a design that combines the childish and the macabre to create its unique atmosphere.

The trailer for the upcoming season of Doctor Who promises an incredible twist for the fans

The Doctor returns soon with new adventures and big changes in season 15 (or 2 of the new era) of Doctor Who, whose trailer has just been released after the Christmas special. The new era starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor introduces a key addition to the team: Varada Sethu will play Belinda Chandra, the new companion who will accompany the Time Lord on his journey through the universe. The eagerly awaited trailer has served as a Christmas gift following the series’ usual holiday special, co-starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton). In this episode, fans […]

The Doctor returns soon with new adventures and big changes in season 15 (or 2 of the new era) of Doctor Who, whose trailer has just been released after the Christmas special. The new era starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor introduces a key addition to the team: Varada Sethu will play Belinda Chandra, the new companion who will accompany the Time Lord on his journey through the universe.

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.

Subscribe (it's FREE) ►

The long-awaited trailer has served as a Christmas gift following the series’ usual holiday special, co-starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton). In this episode, fans were able to enjoy a magical story set in a very peculiar hotel, which has served as a bridge to the upcoming adventures aboard the TARDIS.

New Challenges and New Companions

However, the preview of season 2 promises much more than nostalgia: new dangers, terrifying enemies, and the intriguing mission of Belinda Chandra to return to Earth. Additionally, despite Belinda’s arrival, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) will not disappear entirely. In the Christmas special, Ruby makes a brief but significant cameo, making it clear that her character remains part of the Doctor Who universe.

Disney+ DOWNLOAD

According to the trailer, Ruby will now play a more secondary role as a member of the UNIT team, under the direction of Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave). Although there is no official release date yet, rumors suggest that it could arrive in May 2025 on Disney Plus, replicating the schedule of the previous season.

This movie doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but everyone thinks it's the perfect Christmas movie

When you think of Christmas movies, stories of magical reindeer, families gathered by the fire, and a lovable Santa Claus probably come to mind. But for many film fans, Die Hard (1988) —yes, the action classic starring Bruce Willis— embodies the spirit of Christmas in a unique and, in its own way, perfect manner. The justification is clear: the story takes place on Christmas Eve, when John McClane, a New York police officer, arrives in Los Angeles to reconcile with his wife at her office’s Christmas party, held in the imposing […]

When you think of Christmas movies, stories of magical reindeer, families gathered by the fire, and a lovable Santa Claus probably come to mind. But for many movie fans, Die Hard (1988) —yes, the action classic starring Bruce Willis— embodies the spirit of Christmas in a unique and, in its own way, perfect manner.

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.

Subscribe (it's FREE) ►

Let’s see, the justification is clear: the story takes place on Christmas Eve, when John McClane, a New York police officer, arrives in Los Angeles to reconcile with his wife at her office’s Christmas party, held in the imposing Nakatomi Plaza building. But what seemed like a simple family visit quickly turns into an epic battle when a group of terrorists, led by the charismatic Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), takes the building hostage.

Thrilling Christmas

Although Die Hard doesn’t have much more justification as a Christmas movie than its context, its spirit is in every frame of the film: from the festive music that appears at key moments to details like a corpse “dressed up” with the message “Now I have a machine gun! Ho-ho-ho”. Thus, the mix of action with an unleashed Willis and the ironic use of Christmas elements have made it a tradition for many during the holidays.

The debate over whether it is truly a Christmas movie continues to divide viewers, but the answer seems simple: the spirit of Christmas, with its struggle for love, family, and triumph over adversity, is present throughout. It may not be a conventional Christmas, but Die Hard shows that sometimes the perfect gift comes with explosions, shootouts, and an unforgettable phrase to repeat every holiday season: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.”

YouTube wants to tackle the big problem of the future of AI in videos with this new tool

We are at a moment where reality seems to have broken forever. Not because physics has stopped answering the big questions, but because AI is taking charge of destroying everything we have always been able to trust: our senses. YouTube has partnered with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to help creators identify content on the platform that uses their AI-generated image and submit takedown requests. The company will test the controls with celebrities and athletes early next year before […]

We are at a moment where reality seems to have been broken forever. Not because physics has stopped answering the big questions, but because AI is taking charge of destroying everything we have always been able to trust: our senses.

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.

Subscribe (it's FREE) ►

YouTube has partnered with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA ) to help creators identify content on the platform that uses their AI-generated image and submit takedown requests.

The company will test the controls with celebrities and athletes early next year before making them available to “top YouTube creators, creative professionals, and other prominent partners representing talent.”

Objective: To end celebrity deepfakes

In September, YouTube announced plans for tools that would help manage AI-generated representations of creators and their voices. Now, the company says it can give celebrities (and soon creators) the ability to manage copies of their image, such as their face, “at scale.”

Last year, CAA introduced CAA Vault, which scans and stores the digital images of its clients, including their faces, bodies, and voices.

YouTube is also working on a “synthetic singing identification technology” that will detect AI content attempting to replicate the voices of the most famous creators.

YouTube DOWNLOAD

YouTube has already started allowing record labels to request the removal of AI-generated content that mimics an artist’s voice, and has also begun requiring creators to label videos containing AI-generated content earlier this year.