Category: cultura-pop

**Steam** continues to be a fertile ground for surprises in the gaming market. A recent analysis by GameDiscoverCo, published in January 2026, revealed the titles that became major sales successes on the platform even with very little prior visibility. These games, mostly developed by independent studios and priced between R$5 and R$50, managed to multiply their initial sales by up to 500 times compared to the number of wishlists. This phenomenon, analyzed for the years 2024 and 2025, shows that organic discovery through streamers and the appeal of niche genres can still catapult a game to success.

The study, conducted by game discovery specialist Simon Carless, identified interesting patterns among these “underdogs.” Due to the low cost of entry, many modestly priced games achieved long-term engagement, with average play hours exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, genres like dating simulators, roguelikes, and idle games frequently appear among those that most exceeded projections. This trend highlights the market’s unpredictability and the importance of captivating game mechanics, which often spread through social networks and among content creators.

## The Secret of “Zero to Hero” on Steam

Thus, the analysis points out that there is no guaranteed magic formula, but rather a set of factors that can create the perfect scenario. Games like “Webfishing,” a relaxing fishing simulator, and “Lockdown Protocol,” a social deduction game, are examples that benefited from this effect. Furthermore, titles of the FMV (Full Motion Video) and clicker types, which often do not generate much hype before release, found their audience in an organic and sustainable way. Therefore, the report serves as a reminder that, in an ecosystem as vast as Steam’s, there is always room for small gems to shine, thanks to digital word-of-mouth and engaged communities.

## The Broader Landscape of Game Discovery

However, the unexpected success of some does not mean traditional marketing has lost its value. The same GameDiscoverCo newsletter also highlighted industry news, such as the closure of the TikTok deal in the US, which keeps the platform crucial for game promotion, and the details of the 2026 Xbox Developer Direct. Thus, the landscape for developers in 2026 appears to be one of multiple fronts: while large studios invest in events and announcements, independents can still bet on innovation and viral appeal to carve out their space, showing that diversity continues to be the greatest strength of the gaming industry.

**Riftbound**, the collectible card game based on **League of Legends**, launches its second major expansion, **Spiritforged**, in the West on February 13, 2026. Developed by Riot Games, the release promises to add 221 new cards to the game’s meta, following the success of the first expansion, Origins. Pre-sales of physical products have already begun, but due to high demand, stock on Riot’s official store sold out quickly, leading to inflated prices on secondary marketplaces. Therefore, interested Brazilian players need to stay alert to secure their products at the suggested price.

To acquire items from the new collection, fans have a few main options. The first is the **official Riot Games merchandise online store**, which sells products at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), but is currently out of stock for pre-sale items. The company should restock soon, so it is recommended to check the site frequently and create an account to receive notifications. Meanwhile, platforms like **TCGplayer** offer the products, but with significant price markups due to initial scarcity. Thus, the most accessible and recommended way is to look for a **local game store**, using the official Riftbound store locator to find accredited establishments in Brazil.

## What’s in the Spiritforged expansion?

The new wave of cards will be sold in four main product types. Individual **Booster Packs**, with 14 cards each, cost around R$ 80 in direct conversion and contain a selection of common, uncommon, rare, and foil cards. For those seeking quantity, the **Booster Box** contains 24 individual packs, with the guarantee of alternate art cards in one out of every three boxes. Furthermore, the expansion brings two **pre-constructed Champion Decks**, focused on the characters Fiora and Rumble. Each deck comes with 56 cards, including the champion’s Legendary card, their Chosen Champion cards, Signature Spells, and even a Spiritforged booster pack, making it a great entry point for new players.

## What about the previous collection, Origins?

For collectors still looking to complete the set from the first expansion, products from **Riftbound: Origins** also remain on the market, although they may be hard to find. The line includes everything from individual packs and booster boxes to champion decks for characters like Jinx, Lee Sin, and Viktor, as well as special sets like the Proving Grounds Starter Set and the Arcane Box Set. With the arrival of Spiritforged, interest in these initial cards is also expected to increase, potentially raising their value on the secondary market. Therefore, players have a window of opportunity to strengthen their collections before the new meta is fully established.

**F1: The Movie**, the blockbuster hit of 2025, achieved a rare feat for a production about motor sports: four Oscar nominations. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this Sunday (25) that the big-budget film starring Brad Pitt is competing for the top prize of Best Picture at the 98th edition of the awards, which takes place on March 15. In addition to the main category, the film was also nominated in the technical categories of Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound, solidifying its impact on contemporary cinema.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the same director behind *Top Gun: Maverick*, the film grossed an impressive $631 million (approximately R$ 3.2 billion) at the global box office after its release last June. The Best Picture nomination is especially notable, as it places the racing story alongside critical favorites like *Frankenstein* and *Hamnet*. In this way, the production proves that high-speed stories can indeed achieve the industry’s highest recognition.

The narrative follows driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) as he returns to Formula 1 to save a team in crisis, while facing a rivalry with his young teammate, played by Damson Idris. Thanks to unprecedented access to real F1, filming took place on official circuits during Grand Prix events, which gave the racing scenes a visceral realism. Therefore, the nominations in the technical categories are not surprising, as the editing and visual effects work was essential to create the immersion that captivated audiences.

## Fierce Competition in the Technical Categories

Despite the achievement, the path to the golden statuette will be difficult. For Best Picture, *F1: The Movie* faces nine other competitors. In the technical categories, the competition is also strong. In Best Visual Effects, for example, the film competes with giants like *Avatar: Fire and Ashes* and *Jurassic World: Rebirth*. In Best Editing and Best Sound, the main opponent appears to be the drama *Sinners*, which also has multiple nominations.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as one of the producers, the film was praised for capturing the authentic emotion of the sport. The 2026 Oscar ceremony will be broadcast live on March 15. Meanwhile, Brazilian fans of cinema and racing eagerly await to see if the roar of the engines will echo in the Dolby Theatre.

**Hytale**, the highly anticipated sandbox game from Hypixel Studios, is seeking specialized developers to create an automation and engineering system within the game. The information came directly from the project director, Simon Collins-Laflamme, who used his X (formerly Twitter) account to make the hiring announcement last Saturday, January 24, 2026. The goal is to add a deep layer of creative complexity to the game, allowing players to build machines and physical systems with gears, pulleys, and power transmission. This move is happening because the team wants to explore physics-based systems with real parts, a direct response to the creativity of the community that is already testing the game’s limits in its beta versions.

The system under development promises to be a natural extension of the gameplay, being completely optional. This way, it will be easy to use on a small scale for beginners, but also capable of reaching impressive levels of complexity for the most dedicated virtual engineers. The idea, therefore, is to rival established systems like Minecraft’s redstone, which spawned a massive community of creators. With a release still scheduled for 2026, the addition of a native automation module could be a major differentiator for Hytale to establish itself in the competitive building game market.

## Inspiration from the community and open debate

The hiring announcement came shortly after Simon asked the modding community to share their custom creations for Hytale. However, the search for specific talent in automation generated an immediate and productive debate. Meanwhile, engineers and developers of famous mods, such as “Hynergy,” have already started direct conversations with the game’s director in the social network’s replies. Furthermore, fans on Reddit are thrilled with the possibility, speculating about the implementation of a system similar to the popular Minecraft mod “Create,” which surpasses 160 million downloads.

Simon himself actively participated in the discussion, responding to player suggestions. For example, one highlighted idea proposed that the power source for the machines could be magical, collected from specific points in the world, instead of purely mechanical. However, it is important to note that the team is still in the exploration phase. The director’s message begins precisely with “We are exploring,” indicating there is no guarantee the system will be released in its entirety. Still, the specialized recruitment is a clear sign that Hypixel Studios takes the creative potential of its players seriously and wants to invest in delivering robust tools from the start.

For the average Brazilian player, who may not be an expert in complex circuits, the promise is of an accessible tool. On the other hand, for those who master the art of virtual engineering, Hytale could become the new stage for impossible constructions, from functional ships to rudimentary computers within the game. In this way, the gameplay gains a strategic and technical layer that could redefine the sandbox genre in the coming years.

**Lenovo** announced that the **Legion Go 2**, its newest gaming handheld, will be launched with the **SteamOS** operating system pre-installed. Scheduled to hit the market in June 2026, the new device promises an optimized experience for Brazilian gamers looking for a powerful portable device. The company’s decision is a direct response to the growing demand for Windows alternatives on handhelds, offering native integration with the Steam store and ecosystem. In this way, the device positions itself as a direct competitor to the Steam Deck, but with more recent hardware.

Thanks to this change, initial tests with an unofficial version of SteamOS 3.9 on the model with the **AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme** chip are already showing impressive results. Almost all device functions work perfectly, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and performance controls. The only notable exception, for now, is the custom control of the RGB lighting. Compatibility is broad, and performance in AAA games, as will be detailed next, surpasses that of Valve’s direct competitor in many cases, even while consuming the same amount of power.

## Performance in Demanding Games and Battery

In the tests conducted, the Legion Go 2 ran **Cyberpunk 2077** with an average of 49 fps in balanced mode (16W) at 1600×1000 resolution. This result is superior to the Steam Deck’s under similar settings. By activating the 35W performance mode, the average frame rate jumped to 68 fps at the same resolution, demonstrating the raw power of the hardware. However, this maximum performance comes at a high cost for the 76Wh battery, which lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes in this scenario. For indie and 2D titles, in low-power mode (9W), the autonomy can exceed 7 hours of gameplay.

Other modern games also ran smoothly. **Mortal Kombat 1** maintained a stable 60 fps at 1200p with medium settings, while **Doom: The Dark Ages**, which has a dedicated handheld mode, also held 60 fps at 1200p. **Spider-Man 2** proved to be one of the most demanding titles, requiring performance mode to run well at 1200p. The expectation is that, with official support from Lenovo and more refined power profiles for the Z2 Extreme chip, efficiency and battery life could improve even further after the official launch.

## What to Expect from the Official Launch

The current experience with SteamOS on the Legion Go 2 is already considered very good by the community, but it is still an unofficial implementation. Lenovo’s big promise is to deliver an official version of the system, deeply integrated with the device’s hardware, which should bring improvements in stability, energy efficiency, and full support for all features. Therefore, the scenario for portable gaming fans in Brazil in 2026 is one of strong competition, with the Legion Go 2 presenting itself as a high-performance option for those who prioritize the Steam library and the freedom of an open system.

**Jujutsu Kaisen** continues to captivate Brazilian fans with its third season, and the highly anticipated episode 4, which premiered last Thursday, January 22, 2026, promises to raise the series” level even higher. The new chapter, available on Crunchyroll and Netflix platforms, places the character Maki Zenin at the center of the plot, exploring her conflict with her own clan. This moment is crucial, as fans are set to witness one of the most intense and awaited confrontations in the entire anime”s history, raising the stakes of the Culling Game that began to be established in previous episodes.

Due to the focus on Maki”s development and the confrontation with the Zenin Clan, the episode gains unique narrative importance. The production, already praised for its high-quality animation and the darker, more mature tone of this season, is expected to feature spectacular action sequences. For viewers in Brazil, the release followed the standard Thursday schedule, synchronized with Pacific Time (PT), which required a quick adjustment for time zones to not miss a minute of the action.

## Broadcast Times in Brazil and Around the World

Episode 4 was released simultaneously worldwide on January 22. For Brazilian fans, this meant tuning in at 2 PM (Brasília time) on the same day, a direct conversion from 9 AM PT. Meanwhile, other countries had their own adjustments: it was at 5 PM in the UK (BST), 11:30 PM in India (IST), and already in the early hours of the 23rd in Australia (AEST). This global synchronization is a hallmark of major current releases and demonstrates the series” reach.

## What to Expect from the Episode and the Future of the Season

With the foundation of the Culling Game already established, episode 4 promises to dive headfirst into the personal conflicts that drive the plot. Maki”s fight against her own clan is not just a display of power, but a decisive moment for the character”s development and for the balance of forces within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. Thus, fans can expect a combination of deep narrative and breathtaking animation, solidifying the season as one of the most impactful. Therefore, with new episodes arriving every Thursday, the anticipation only grows for the developments of this dark and thrilling saga.

**Riftbound**, the new collectible card game (TCG) from Riot Games based on the **League of Legends** universe, has seen explosive growth since its launch in the West on October 31, 2025. Data from TCGplayer, the world’s largest platform in the segment, reveals that daily searches for the game have increased by over 300% compared to the pre-sale period, cementing an immediate success. This phenomenon is due to the immense appeal of the franchise, which has already won fans through the main game, the Netflix series *Arcane*, and the upcoming fighting game *2XKO*.

As a result of this massive interest, the online market for Riftbound cards and sealed products has exploded. Just one month after launch, the number of listings on TCGplayer jumped an impressive 750%, rising from about 68,600 to over 585,000 listings. Iconic characters like Jinx, the star of *Arcane*, lead the searches, with over 65,000 searches on the site, closely followed by Ahri, which surpassed 54,900. In this way, the TCG proves to be a social and engaging way for fans to connect with the Runeterra universe.

## Expansion and Most Coveted Cards

Riot Games is already preparing the next chapter of the game. The second collection, titled **Spiritforged**, has pre-sales open and its official launch in the West is scheduled for February 13, 2026, following its debut in China in December. Meanwhile, high demand for sealed products, such as champion decks and *booster packs*, still makes some items hard to find, a clear sign of the heated market. Rob Bigler, CEO of TCGplayer, commented that Riftbound’s initial success is a major positive for the hobby, showing that fans are excited to interact with the worlds and characters they love in new ways.

Beyond the basic cards, special and alternate versions of the champions are the most valued items by collectors. Signature cards and alternate art for characters like Lee Sin, Ahri, Darius, and Viktor are among the most coveted. Therefore, with an already established global fan base and a strategic launch, Riftbound solidifies itself not just as a new card game, but as a cultural phenomenon within the **League of Legends** ecosystem, promising to shake up the TCG scene in 2026.

**Heated Rivalry**, the Canadian series that narrates a gay romance between rival hockey players, has transformed into a global cultural phenomenon in early 2026. The production, which originally premiered on the Crave platform between November and December of last year, gained worldwide projection after arriving on the HBO Max catalog, where it exploded on social media and conquered a legion of fans. With praised performances from Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the series stands out for its LGBTQ+ representation in the sports universe, a theme still rarely explored on television. The project’s relevance goes beyond entertainment, as it inspired, for example, professional player Jesse Korteum to come out publicly.

The plot follows the complex relationship between Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, rivals on the ice, over a decade, starting in 2008. Despite a budget considered modest, of about 12 million Canadian dollars (equivalent to approximately 45 million Brazilian reais), the series proves that a good story and chemistry between the actors can overcome financial limitations. The success was so significant that the protagonists were invited to present at this year’s Golden Globes, while Williams opened a DSquared2 fashion show at Milan Fashion Week, clear signs of the production’s cultural impact.

## Chemistry and Representation Beyond the Ice

Despite initial criticism for explicit intimate scenes, the narrative of **Heated Rivalry** evolves to explore the emotional depths of the characters. The series sensitively addresses Shane’s self-acceptance process and Ilya’s family conflicts, gaining layers that go beyond physical romance. The chemistry between Williams and Storrie, who trained for weeks with a Russian dialect coach for the role, is often pointed out as the production’s great asset. This on-screen connection, combined with a narrative that embraces diversity, resonated strongly with the audience, especially among young people, where the series went viral on TikTok.

Based on the acclaimed book series *Game Changers* by Rachel Reid, the adaptation already has a confirmed second season, scheduled to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027. In this way, the **Heated Rivalry** phenomenon consolidates itself not only as a successful entertainment product but as an important milestone for representativeness in pop culture. The series therefore demonstrates that stories about love and identity, even in traditionally heteronormative environments like professional sports, have space and a captive audience, opening doors for more diverse narratives in the future.

**Sherlock**, the acclaimed BBC series that modernized the classic detective, continues to captivate the Brazilian audience in January 2026, with all four of its seasons available for streaming. Created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the production premiered in 2010 and turned Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman into global stars, thanks to its intelligent approach that transported Sherlock Holmes into the 21st century. However, hopes for a fifth season remain low, due to the conflicting commitments of the main cast and the narrative conclusion proposed by the creators.

The series stands out for adapting classic Arthur Conan Doyle cases to a modern London, where the detective uses technology like smartphones and blogs to solve crimes. With long episodes that function like films, the production won over millions of fans by combining complex mysteries with impressive chemistry between the protagonists. Therefore, even without new seasons on the horizon, its legacy as a cultural phenomenon remains strong, offering a high-quality entertainment experience that justifies a revisit or discovery by current viewers.

## Where to watch the Sherlock series in Brazil

For fans who wish to binge-watch or discover the series, the good news is that the entire **Sherlock** catalog is accessible in Brazil. The streaming platform Globoplay currently holds the broadcast rights, hosting all four seasons and their 13 episodes in full. Furthermore, due to licensing agreements, it is common for the series to also appear temporarily on other services, such as Amazon Prime Video. This way, viewers have a solid option to follow the adventures of the most famous detective in his contemporary version, without needing to resort to DVDs or other physical media.

## The uncertain future of the 5th season

Despite the lasting success, the possibility of a **fifth season of Sherlock** seems remote in 2026. The creators, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, treated the fourth season as a satisfying narrative endpoint, concluding important character arcs. Additionally, the schedules of the main actors have become a considerable obstacle: Benedict Cumberbatch maintains an intense film career in the Marvel Universe and other projects, while Martin Freeman also accumulates professional commitments. Although neither has completely ruled out a return in the distant future, there is no active production or concrete plans underway. Therefore, fans can celebrate the complete legacy of the series as it stands, a work that redefined Sherlock Holmes adaptations for a new generation.

**Fortnite** underwent server maintenance this Thursday, January 22, 2026, for the implementation of update 39.30. Epic Games, the game”s developer, had to perform emergency maintenance due to technical issues during the process, which extended the downtime. As a result, millions of Brazilian players were left without access to Battle Royale for a few hours. The situation was resolved on the same day, and the servers are now stable, allowing matches to resume.

The period of unavailability officially began at 10:00 AM (Brasília time), after matchmaking was shut down at 09:30 AM. However, due to problems with the patch, the servers” return took longer than expected. Epic Games communicated the unforeseen event on its social media, asking fans for patience. The update, which was about 6.31 GB on PC, could finally be downloaded, and players can now explore the new features.

## What do leaks reveal about update 39.30?

While the servers were offline, leaks released by dataminers like ShiinaBR anticipated some of the content. According to this information, update 39.30 paves the way for a possible collaboration with the TV series *The Office*. Furthermore, a new game mode called **Fortnite Crown Jam** is reportedly in development, promising a musical and competitive experience.

The leaks also point to lag fixes in the lobby and the game”s central hub, items that are set to return from the vault, and the next Crew pack for February 2026. New skins and sidekicks, including a puppy, were found in the game”s files. Epic Games, however, has not yet released the official patch notes, maintaining some suspense about all the new features.

With the servers stabilized, the Brazilian community is already back on the island. The expectation now is for the official confirmation of the collaborations and the launch of the new mode, which is expected to shake up the competitive scene at the start of the year. Thus, the game continues its routine of constant updates, maintaining player engagement in 2026.