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G2 Steamrolls MongolZ in IEM Krakow Stage 2

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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0
G2 Steamrolls MongolZ in IEM Krakow Stage 2

G2 Esports has taken down MongolZ with a 2-0 scoreline to kick off their IEM Krakow 2026 campaign. Securing an important win early on has put G2 in a good position to make it through to the arena, and if they are able to mend the gaps exposed today, we are looking at a side that can threaten anyone on the big stage.

VETO

  • G2 removed Nuke
  • The MongolZ removed Anubis
  • G2 picked Dust2
  • The MongolZ picked Ancient
  • G2 removed Overpass
  • The MongolZ removed Inferno
  • Mirage was left over
https://twitter.com/ESLCS/status/2017608634272715111

Map 1: Dust2; Pick: G2; Winner: G2

G2 getting off to a 3-0 start in dominant fashion set the tone of the game. A confident and well-structured offense laid out by sAw’s side saw MongolZ get picked apart as its defense failed to get anything more than two rounds on the CT side. Winning most of their rounds in the B site, G2 were able to exploit MongolZ’s mid-heavy plays, leading to a massive lead by the end of the first half, with MongolZ trailing 2-10. G2 continued their winning ways with MongolZ giving away a 3v5 as G2’s individuals converted the pistol with their flashy aim. Winning the pistol, G2 continued their domination for two more rounds and convincingly closed the game. IGL huNter gave G2 the ammunition they needed to dominate MongolZ and secure their map pick.

Map 2: Ancient; Pick: MongolZ ; Winner: G2

A fast rush to B started the offense for MongolZ, winning 3 rounds off the back of it before malbsMd managed to pull back G2’s first round and continued to level the scoreline. MongolZ got back on the board as SunPayus missed shot after shot gave the Asian side the gap they needed to convert an eco and break G2’s economy in the process. G2 were kept at bay for the better part of the half but managed a narrow 7-5 lead after the Asian side converted the final round of the half. Losing the pistol round, G2 gave away their lead to MongolZ, who went on to win 7 rounds in a row before a B split gave G2 their next round, and they followed it with 4 more to level the scoreline. G2 took the lead for the first time in the second half, with SunPayus clutching a 1v2 and dominating in the following round, sealing a tough 2-0 win with huNter once again top fragging to pull off a statement win.

MongolZ’s performance has gone down significantly after losing senzu. Attempts to replace him have been anything but successful, and unless Cobrazera can fill those shoes, it will be difficult for this roster to reach the heights we all know they are capable of.

Ex-Rockstar North President Leslie Benzies Named in Newly Released ‘Epstein Files’

Sonu Banerjee
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0
Ex-Rockstar North President Leslie Benzies Named in Newly Released ‘Epstein Files’

Newly released documents connected to the ongoing disclosure of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein include previously unpublished material containing allegations of sexual assault against former Rockstar North president and Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies.

The allegations outlined in the documents were made by Epstein survivor Sarah Ransome, who claims that Benzies sexually assaulted her when they were dating in the early 2000s. She further alleges that Rockstar Games president Sam Houser met her “ample times when dating Leslie,” and was aware of the situation.

The allegations involving Benzies and Houser can be found on page 38 of the newly released 62-page document published by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier today. Sarah Ransome is a known Epstein survivor who has publicly spoken about her experiences and whose name and statements have appeared in legal filings and other public documents related to Epstein’s abuse network.

In a written statement included in the documents, Ransome alleges the following:

Leslie Benzie (seeming as if he invented the throwing of money at a “prostitute” on me, then sexually assaulted me afterwards…kids, that’s what drugs do, then used it in video games for entertainment for millions of people!!! That shit had to come from somewhere, why not the guy that helped invent GTA!! Leslie also visited me in NY and knew what was happening and gave me the money to book my ticket to NY when I arrived on the 1st of September 2006 – check his bank records)

Sam Houser, (You met me ample times when dating Leslie, and now the time has come about what you and your Rockstar North boys really get up to behind the scenes. I’m surprised there has yet to be a class action for you guys alone!!)

Leslie Benzies is a veteran game dev who has worked on several major Grand Theft Auto titles in the past, including GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, and GTA V. He departed Rockstar in 2016 before founding his own studio, Build A Rocket Boy.

It is important to clarify that the appearance of names in these files does not constitute proof of wrongdoing. The documents are not court findings, nor do they reflect formal charges or legal conclusions. As of now, neither Leslie Benzies nor Sam Houser has been charged or convicted of any crime related to the allegations, and the released records do not establish any connection between either individual and Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities.

Free Fire Player and GodLike CC Tahir “Fuego” Passes Away

Aditya Parsutkar
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Free Fire Player and GodLike CC Tahir “Fuego” Passes Away

The Indian gaming and esports community is mourning the tragic loss of former Free Fire esports player and content creator Tahir “Fuego”. The heartbreaking news of TahirFuego’s passing was confirmed on 31 January 2026, sending shockwaves across the Indian Free Fire community. Check out the TahirFuego death news below.

According to reports, the former Godlike Esports Free Fire player was found in critical condition around midnight at the Godlike Esports bootcamp. TahirFuego allegedly attempted self-harm and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was placed on ventilator support. Despite medical treatment, he sadly passed away. Local police authorities are currently investigating the incident of Free Fire player death to determine the exact circumstances.

Tahir Mukhtar, widely known by his in game name TahirFuego or TAHIR, was a respected name in the Indian Free Fire esports scene. During his professional career, he played for major esports organizations such as Nigma Galaxy and Godlike Esports. In recent years, he was associated with GODL as a content creator, where he continued to remain active and connected with his fanbase.

Over the years, TahirFuego delivered several memorable performances in competitive Free Fire tournaments. His achievements include a first place finish at Rumble in the Jungle Week 2, third place finishes at Villager Esports Winter Masters and Booyah Open 2021, and a strong run at the Free Fire India Championship 2021 Fall. These results helped him establish himself as a consistent and skilled Free Fire esports player in India.

Read More: TEZ FFMIC 2026 Spring: Dates, City Qualifiers, Format, and More

TahirFuego’s contribution to the Indian Free Fire esports ecosystem went beyond just tournament results. He inspired countless young gamers who aspired to build careers in esports and content creation. Even after stepping back from professional competition, he continued to engage with fans through content and community interactions.

Following the confirmation of TahirFuego’s death, tributes and condolence messages poured in from players, content creators, esports organizations, and fans across the country. Many members of the community also used this moment to highlight the importance of mental health awareness in esports and the need for support systems for players and creators.

BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Week 4 Day 3: Match Timings, Teams, Points Table, and More

Aditya Parsutkar
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0
BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Week 4 Day 3: Match Timings, Teams, Points Table, and More

BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 4 Day 3 will be played today, 30 January, across Erangel, Miramar, and Rondo. Group A and Group B, featuring teams such as Godlike Esports, Team Soul, Team 8Bit, Genesis Esports, Wyld Fangs, and others, will be back in action as the week heads towards its conclusion. A total of six matches will be played during the day, with games starting from 3:00 PM IST. Fans can check out the BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 4 Day 3 schedule, teams, points table, and other key details below.

BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 4 Day 3: Schedule and Groups

MatchMapGroup Time
Match 1RondoGroup A3:00 PM
Match 2ErangelGroup A3:40 PM
Match 3ErangelGroup A4:20 PM
Match 4ErangelGroup B5:00 PM
Match 5MiramarGroup B5:40 PM
Match 6MiramarGroup B6:20 PM

Group A

  • iQOO ORANGUTAN
  • K9 Esports
  • iQOOSOUL
  • Infinix TrueRippers
  • Nebula Esports
  • OnePlus Gods Reign
  • Higgboson Esports
  • Madkings
  • iQOO RECKONING ESPORTS
  • iQOO8BIT
  • Team AX
  • Victores Sumus
  • Hero Xtreme Godlike
  • RAPID CHAOS ESPORTS
  • Blitz Esports
  • Autobotz Esports

Read More: What Is Fairplay Shield App? BGMI’s Anti-Cheat System for BGIS 2026 Explained

Group B

  • GENESIS ESPORTS
  • The Vanguard
  • Rising Esports
  • TWOB
  • EVOX Esports
  • Zutsu Esports
  • Wyld Fangs
  • SINEWY ESPORTS
  • 4TR Official
  • NoNx Esports
  • TEAM X ESPORTS
  • LASTADE ESPORTS
  • The Knight Mobs
  • KALINGA ESPORTS
  • iQOO Team Tamilas
  • Team H4K

BGIS 2026 The Grind Points Table

Group A Points Table

  • 1st – K9 – 190 points
  • 2nd – GDR – 146 points
  • 3rd – HBSN – 143 points
  • 4th – TR – 138 points
  • 5th – BLTZ – 123 points
  • 6th – RCE – 117 points
  • 7th – ABZ – 115 points
  • 8th – NBE – 110 points
  • 9th – SOUL – 109 points
  • 10th – OG – 97 points
  • 11th – RGE – 95 points
  • 12th – 8BIT – 84 points
  • 13th – GODL – 80 points
  • 14th – VS – 78 points
  • 15th – AX – 72 points
  • 16th – MAD – 61 points

Group B Points Table

  • 1st – ZTSU – 155 points
  • 2nd – GENS – 145 points
  • 3rd – NONX – 142 points
  • 4th – TT – 135 points
  • 5th – WF – 131 points
  • 6th – TKM – 124 points
  • 7th – RIE – 111 points
  • 8th – EVOX – 109 points
  • 9th – H4K – 98 points
  • 10th – LSDE – 96 points
  • 11th – SNWY – 92 points
  • 12th – XE – 87 points
  • 13th – KE – 85 points
  • 14th – VANG – 85 points
  • 15th – 4TR – 82 points
  • 16th – TWOB – 51 points

The BGIS 2026 THE GRIND features 64 invited teams divided into 4 groups with 16 squads in each group. Each group will play 24 matches in their respective weeks. Today continues Week 3 action as both groups push forward in their qualification stage that runs from January 17 to February 1, 2026.

The stakes are high for both Group A and Group B teams. The top 8 teams from each group will qualify for BGIS 2026: Round 3, while the bottom 8 teams will move to BGIS 2026: Round 2. All 64 teams based on the overall standings will seed to the BGIS 2026 Main Event, making every match crucial for placement.

Where to watch Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 The Grind?

Fans can enjoy all matches of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 The Grind on the official YouTube channel of Krafton India Esports in Hindi and English.

Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 India Playoffs to Decide India’s International Representative

Aditya Parsutkar
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0
Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 India Playoffs to Decide India’s International Representative

The Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 India Playoffs will take place on 31 January 2026. The stakes are high, as the winner of the tournament will earn the right to represent India at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 Finals, scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan, in March 2026.

Several top Indian Pokémon UNITE teams will be in action, including GodLike Esports, Revenant XSpark, Reckoning Esports, True Rippers, and more. Along with national pride and an international slot, teams will also battle for a $20,000 prize pool.

Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2026 India Playoffs Format and Match Schedule

The India Playoffs will follow a King of the Hill format.

  • Teams placed 7th and 8th in the regular season will compete in the opening match
  • The winner advances to face the next higher-seeded team
  • This continues until the final stages of the tournament

Round 1

  • Welt Esports vs Team Tamilas

Round 2

  • S8UL Esports vs Round 1 Winner

Round 3

  • MetaNinza vs Round 2 Winner

Round 4

  • True Rippers Esports vs Round 3 Winner

Quarterfinals

  • Revenant XSpark vs Round 4 Winner

Semifinals

  • Godlike Esports vs Quarterfinals Winner

Grand Finals

  • Reckoning Esports vs Semifinals

Read More: Esports World Cup Foundation Commits $45 Million for Esports Nations Cup 2026

PUACL 2026 India Prizepool Distribution

PlaceUSDQualifies ToTeam
1st$5000PUACL FinalsTBD
2nd$4500TBD
3rd$3500TBD
4th$2000TBD
5th$1500TBD
6th$1500TBD
7th$1000TBD
8th$500TBD
9thAutobotz Esports
10thMarcos Gaming

Where to watch the Playoffs?

Fans can enjoy all matches of the PUACL 2026 India on the official YouTube channel of Skyesports.

About the PUACL 2026 Finals

The PUACL 2026 Finals will take place from 28 to 29 March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, featuring 16 teams. These teams will fight for the prestigious title and the massive prize pool of the $200,000.

S1mple’s BC.Game Qualifies for IEM Krakow Stage 2

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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0
S1mple’s BC.Game Qualifies for IEM Krakow Stage 2

BC.Game has eliminated Ninjas in Pyjamas by beating them with a 2-0 scoreline to qualify for Intel Extreme Masters Krakow 2026 Stage 2. A dominant map one and a tricky second saw s1mple’s side overcome a tricky Ninjas in Pyjamas side and seal their first qualification to a big event in 2026.

VETO

  • BC.Game removed Mirage
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas removed Inferno
  • BC.Game picked Dust2
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas picked Nuke
  • BC.Game removed Anubis
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas removed Overpass
  • Ancient was left over

Map 1: Dust2; Pick: BC.Game; Winner: BC.Game

Ninjas in Pyjamas started the first half with a stunning 4K from r1nkle and built on that to go 3-0 up before BC.Game could get on the board. NiP dropped two rounds before getting back to their winning ways until BC.Game secured 3 rounds before closing the half with a tight 7-5 scoreline. BC.Game struggle in the first half became a distant memory in the second as they put together a streak of 8 rounds as NiP’s offence failed to get a single round in their favour. A statement defence from BC.Game showcased a stunning conclusion to the first map as krazy stood out as the best performer on the map with 18 kills and 1.53 IR.

Map 2: Nuke; Pick: Ninjas in Pyjamas; Winner: BC.Game

A scrappy start to the game, where BC.Game gave away the lead to Ninjas in Pyjamas, who put together 3 in a row to get ahead. Ninjas in Pyjamas hitting the A site in a poorly coordinated rush gave away their momentum which led to BC.Game winning 2 rounds in a row and breaking their economy in the process. Taking the lead from NiP, BC.Game pushed ahead to a 6-4 scoreline before back-to-back 1v3 clutches from sjuush, and xKacpersky leveled the scoreline before switching sides. Winning the pistol put them 9-6 ahead before xKacpersky getting a 4K on the defence stopped BC.Game from hitting double digits and levelling the scoreline by winning the following rounds. BC.Game hit back on the board with a ramp execute and took back their lead from the levelled scoreline. A clean electroNic 1v2 extended their lead and closed the game in the following round to secure a spot in Stage 2. s1mple with 27 kills dropped another masterclass to secure qualification for his team.

Ninjas in Pyjamas bow out, but they do so against a BC.Game who are hell-bent on making it to the next round of play. s1mple and electroNic will be in Stage 2, and for them to have missed out would be anything but a pleasing outcome for fans.

Qatar Airways Launches QVerse Island, Fortnite’s First Playable City

Sonu Banerjee
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0
Qatar Airways Launches QVerse Island, Fortnite’s First Playable City

While Fortnite is no stranger to live, in-game concerts and brand collaborations, Epic Games is pushing the platform in a new direction with QVerse Island, the battle royale’s latest crossover with Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways’ QVerse Island is the first, fully playable city within Fortnite, pushing the boundaries for the game while offering players a new way to explore and interact with the title.

Built using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFM), QVerse Island drops players into a stylized recreation of Doha, starting at a virtual version of the Hamad International Airport. Upon dropping into the island, players will be greeted by Sama, Qatar Airways’ AI-powered digital cabin crew member, who will guide them through the map.

For the uninitiated, Sama is a virtual personality who has already gained traction on social media as the face of the airline’s broader QVerse initiative.

On QVerse Island, players will be able to freely explore the iconic city landmarks and take in breathtaking views while completing challenges and uncovering hidden secrets scattered throughout the map.

Players exploring the QVerse Island will also be able to find golden tickets at hidden locations during their journey. These golden tickets offer players the chance to unlock various exciting rewards and flight-related prizes.

The new QVerse Island represents a bold step in Fortnite’s evolution, and by combining a fully playable city with hidden collectibles and potential real rewards, Epic Games and Qatar Airways have created an interesting experience that encourages players to connect with both the game and the brand in new ways.

New CS2 Update Improves HE Grenades, Chicken Explosions, & Boosts Security for Workshop Maps

Sonu Banerjee
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0
New CS2 Update Improves HE Grenades, Chicken Explosions, & Boosts Security for Workshop Maps

Valve has shipped out a new update to Counter-Strike 2 on January 30, and while it isn’t nearly as big as the major Season 4 patch we saw last week, it does introduce some notable changes to the competitive shooter.

The highlights of the latest CS2 update include improvements to HE grenades, performance optimizations upon blowing up chickens, additional security when joining workshop maps, and a series of changes to the newly added community maps.

Without further ado, let’s check out everything you need to know about the new CS2 patch.

CS2 January 30 Patch: What You Need to Know 

Prior to this patch, HE grenades would sometimes cause less damage to players when exploding in proximity behind a small ledge. Moving forward, the damage numbers should be much more consistent.

The knife sound changes that were introduced to CS2 with the last patch have also received further adjustments. However, this time, the sound changes for the knives aren’t as drastic and are mostly limited to volume alterations for certain variants.

The patch also includes a minor performance improvement related to chicken kills, with exploding chickens now having a reduced impact on FPS.

Another crucial change is the change of the method for community maps to save modified user settings. Community maps can no longer use ‘host_writeconfig’ for users to automatically override their config, and have to run ‘host_writeconfig_with_prompt’ instead, which will prompt the user for permission to save any changes. This gives players an additional layer of control over when and how their settings are modified on specific maps.

Additionally, community maps are now restricted to a smaller list of allowed console commands, further improving players’ security.

CS2 January 30 Update: Patch Notes

Below, we have listed the detailed patch notes for the January 30 CS2 update, as revealed by Valve:

[ GAMEPLAY ]

  • Damage from HE grenades that explode mid-air near the ground will no longer be calculated as if they exploded on the ground.

[ SOUND ]

  • Various knife sound adjustments.

[ MISC ]

  • Performance optimizations for exploding chickens.
  • Fixed a map scripting bug where Entity.SetOwner wasn’t accepting undefined.
  • Added a method for community maps to save modified user settings. Running ‘host_writeconfig_with_prompt’ will prompt the user for permission to save. If accepted, some of the modified settings (radar, viewmodel, safezones, etc) will be kept after the map exits. 
  • Community maps are now restricted to a smaller list of allowed console commands.

[ MAPS ]

Stronghold

  • Updated to the latest version from the Community Workshop (Update Notes)

Anubis Is More Balanced Now: FACEIT

Aritra Patra
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0
Anubis Is More Balanced Now: FACEIT

Valve’s latest update to Counter-Strike 2 has seen the Anubis map evolve to become one of the most balanced competitive maps. Latest Faceit win rate data shows that it is rapidly approaching balance, pleasing players and pros worldwide.

Before Season 4, Anubis was heavily weighted toward Terrorists, with a 52.8% win rate for them compared to CT’s 47.2%. The problem was a result of T side dominating mid areas and making pushes to sites, which was proving to be frustrating for CT sides in both Premier and professional matches. However, the post-update Faceit data shows that T-side now has 50.5% win rate compared to CT’s 49.5%.

Launched on January 21, 2026, the update brought Anubis back into active duty, replacing Train, with some geometry targeted for change. The notable changes include moving the bridge drop forward of mid doors to delay T rotations, flipping mid doors toward B-site for improved CT contests, adding a hole from Connector toward B-site back to enable flanking, moving A-site crates on the walkway, and scaffolding near A pillar. All of these changes allowed for some pretty fair engagements without changing too much of the Egyptian theme of the map.

Pros predict meta shifts coming into events like IEM Kraków, with SMG buffs adding to the tactical depth. What’s your opinion on the new Anubis changes? Let us know in the comments below.

Valorant Night Market Is Coming on February 5

Aritra Patra
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0
Valorant Night Market Is Coming on February 5

Riot Games announced the return of Valorant’s Night Market on February 5th, 2026, preventing players from missing a chance to receive discounted weapon skins just as Season 2026 Act 1 is about to conclude. It will run up to March 2nd, 2026, following the last Night Market that concluded on January 6th.

The starting times vary across the globe. In Los Angeles, it is at 5:00 PM PDT. In New York, it is at 8:00 PM EST. In India, it is as early as 5:30 AM on February 6. The Night Market is reachable via a card icon on the home screen. Players get six mystery card flips with no option to reroll the offer. The offer includes discounts from 10% to 49%, with at least two Premium skins for up to 1,775 VP guaranteed.

Skins come from older bundles, including Convex, Daydreams, Endeavor, Fortune’s Hand, Galleria, Infantry, Intergrade, Luxe, Prism II, Reverie, Rush, Sensation, Smite 1.0, Switchback, and Wonderstallion.

Select, Deluxe, and Premium tiers take precedence over the items in Battlepass, Ultra-rare bundles, and more expensive melees above 4350VP. There is also a high chance of featured favorites that one might like, such as Reaver or Oni variants, featuring in this list, randomized by the Valorant account based on one’s history.

Which skins do you want to see on your cards? Let us know in the comments below.

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