Monday, February 2, 2026
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100 Thieves Announces LAN Debut in February 2026

The highly anticipated 100 Thieves roster has confirmed their LAN debut in February at Roman Imperium Cup V. The event, set to take place at the SAW Esports Arena in Vila Nova de Gaia, between February 19-22, will feature 100 Thieves joining several lower-tier-1 and upper-tier-2 teams at the event to kick off their second stint in Counter-Strike esports.

With two Major-winning MVPs among their ranks and a multi-major-winning IGL as their coach, 100 Thieves have garnered the attention of the CS2 community. Blending young talent with veterans of the game, this roster is all but ready to rise through the ranks and eventually gun for the big dawgs of the industry.

The roster was set to get attention after signing the likes of Havard ‘rain’ Nygard and Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz. Rain has maintained his place as one of the most revered riflers of the game, and dev1ce is one of the most decorated AWPers, boasting 4 Major titles and 2 Major MVPs. Complementing them will be Alex ‘⁠poiii⁠’ Nyholm Sundgren and William ‘sirah⁠’ Kjærsgaard, two 19-year-old talents who are respected within the community as the next big thing.

Many believe that this roster has all it takes to succeed, but just like any other team, proving themselves on LAN can take quite some time, and for fans to push for performance right from the get-go can be fatal for the roster as they find themselves in the process of gelling together in actual events.

Rosters with a lot of expectations tied to them have historically proven to not reach the level of success that the individuals on the line-ups were expected of in most cases, and drawing the freshly minted 100 Thieves line-up with the same will do anything but help with their confidence. Only time will tell if we get one more challenger for Vitality’s throne or just another superteam that fails to live up to the hype.

Terminally Ill GTA Fan’s Wish to Play GTA 6 May Be Granted by Rockstar

A heartfelt situation arose between GTA VI developers Rockstar and one of their employees, who appealed to the Gaming Giant on LinkedIn to allow his terminally ill family member, who might not be with them until the game’s full release, to test Grand Theft Auto VI ahead of its release.

Anthony Armstrong, a UI Integrator at Ubisoft Toronto, took to LinkedIn with a message for Rockstar Games asking if they could arrange “Early Access” to Grand Theft Auto VI for his terminally ill family member, battling cancer for years, who unfortunately has been given a prognosis of 6 to 12 months to live, a timeline that could see them pass away before the game’s official release.

Armstrong, being an employee at Rockstar, placed his request, understanding the sensitivity of the game itself, and agreed to an NDA. His post further tells us that his relative lives close to the Oakville studio, before he deletes it with one final statement.

“Final Update: We spoke to them today and got great news. That’s all I can really say, but thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Assuming that what he supposedly meant by “great news” was that the post going viral had reached the right “contact” he was looking for, and was able to secure an exclusive early access for his family member.

Grand Theft Auto VI is set to release later this year on November 19, 2026, and will be one of the biggest video game releases, if not the biggest, which makes this heartfelt move from the developers all the more meaningful and significant to the community.

BGIS 2026 The Grind Day 3 Overall Standings and Highlights

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The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 (BGIS 2026) THE GRIND Day 3 has concluded with RNTX claiming the top spot with 63 points. VE follows closely in second place with 57 points, while G4R secures third position with 56 points. The competition intensified across six matches on Rondo, Erangel, and Miramar, with teams battling for qualification spots in the tournament.

BGIS 2026 The Grind Overall Standings After Day 3

Following is the overall standings after Day 3.

RankTeamMatches PlayedPosition PointsFinish PointsTotal Points
1iQOO Revenant Xspark6125163
2Vasista Esports6174057
3Gods for Reason6213556
4Team Versatile6252954
5Learn From Past6163349
6FS ESPORTS6192443
7Eggy Gaming693336
8RIDER ESPORT6122133
9Aura Esports672431
104 Wolf x DOD6102030
11Jux Esports6141428
12Team Altitude6121628
13Troy Tamilan eSports681826
14Oishani Esports68715
15MEDAL ESPORTS65611
16GLITCHxREBORN63710

BGIS 2026 The Grind Day 3: Matchwise Recap

Match 1 – Rondo

VXT clinched the WWCD with 6 finishes as the final circle closed with four squads remaining in a 3v3v2v2 standoff between RNTX, VXT, TROY, and FS. RNTX dominated the kill leaderboard with an aggressive 26 finishes despite falling short of the chicken dinner, securing 2nd position.

Match 2 – Erangel

The final zone came down to a nail-biting 3v2v1 battle between RiDR, VXT, and 4W. RiDR outlasted their opponents to secure the WWCD with 9 finishes. VXT put up a strong fight with 10 finishes but finished in 2nd position.

Match 3 – Erangel

An intense 4v4 squad battle erupted in the final circle as VE and AURA fought for survival. VE outplayed their opponents in the closing moments, claiming the chicken dinner with 10 finishes.

Match 4 – Erangel

G4R dominated the lobby and secured the WWCD with an impressive 14 finishes in a 4v1v1 final zone against LEFP and ALT. VE contributed significantly to the eliminations with 12 finishes despite getting eliminated early and finishing at 7th rank.

Match 5 – Miramar

The match concluded with a three-way 4v4v3 battle between LEFP, JUX, and FS in the shrinking safe zone. JUX emerged victorious with 6 finishes to claim the WWCD. LEFP secured 2nd position with an outstanding 11 finishes, showcasing their aggressive playstyle.

Match 6 – Miramar

The final Day 3 match ended with a chaotic 4v4v3v3 endgame between G4R, FS, VXT, and ALT battling in the last circle. FS outlasted the competition to claim the chicken dinner with 5 finishes. VXT finished runners-up with 9 finishes, wrapping up an action-packed Day 3.

With Day 3 concluded, RNTX holds a slim 6-point lead over VE at the top of the standings in Group C. The competition remains tight as G4R, VXT, and LEFP trail closely within striking distance.

BGMI Redeem Codes Today (19 January 2026): KRAFTON India Releases New Redeem Codes

KRAFTON India has officially rolled out the BGMI 4.2 update, marking the launch with a fresh batch of BGMI redeem codes for players. Timed with the update going live, the release reinforces BGMI’s focus on keeping gameplay dynamic while continuing its cadence of official, time-limited code drops for the community. Check out the BGMI 4.2 update redeem codes.

BGMI 4.2 Update Is Now Live as KRAFTON India Releases New Redeem Codes

Redeem codes are valid until 28th February 2026 and can be redeemed only on BGMI’s official website.

Redeem Codes:

  • HTZCZQ36GHSD6VFB
  • HTZDZWGGNRK8VEA6
  • HTZEZURQSM97UEGC
  • HTZFZCVDPKRMXTT3
  • HTZGZ7GKWJJ54MST
  • HTZHZ4S9SN48GWCC
  • HTZIZ6Q9AAA6N5XF
  • HTZJZMB9FAUH8BKH
  • HTZKZSP9RKEUQKCU
  • HTZLZ8EWR8TXQXF7
  • HTZMZ4GXW9CC8SAR
  • HTZNZM9PUPUC5CKX
  • HTZOZPEDDU54GW3H
  • HTZPZFCJ8AXMJUSH
  • HTZQZTNAARBM98PH
  • HTZRZ6F3UUFPP6UP
  • HTZVZBTW4SD68TSW
  • HTZTZV5JPNP85VCQ
  • HTZUZ5ECXTPJWSD8
  • HTZBAZED7R3QKCMA
  • HTZBBZVJ4S46TXXK
  • HTZBCZEV93CTBMCB
  • HTZBDZVTQSNMGQFF
  • HTZBEZ95WFGPF4RB
  • HTZBFZ8MB5DVJBC3
  • HTZBGZKSV59DF53F
  • HTZBHZ4U3FXJHJM7
  • HTZBIZNPABWEH9NH
  • HTZBJZUU5EHDTCX9
  • HTZBKZK36BV9MXEJ
  • HTZBLZJQG7GJVJVC
  • HTZBMZ4NCXEBWD6T
  • HTZBNZUV8UGX4W88
  • HTZBOZN43ADCSWT6
  • HTZBPZVRFU9CUEDD
  • HTZBQZW35RKNJX3C
  • HTZBRZ6VV98XTWRT
  • HTZBVZTW7AWXMUQ3
  • HTZBTZEVRQTK3VBV
  • HTZBUZBH3WXG6GAX
  • HTZCAZXT6T8THT7K
  • HTZCBZW7VNKMHKNE
  • HTZCCZJ4NP9W7B6K
  • HTZCDZTF47PMRG5D
  • HTZCEZS3DU4M4XX6
  • HTZCFZGKGUPMEVNU
  • HTZCGZ5EHG9NC7XX
  • HTZCHZFHNHBME9P6
  • HTZCIZU3W6MF9X3E
  • HTZCJZHSENXWQTMX
  • HTZCKZ9RD9FA9RNC
  • HTZCLZ59G5NUAFRB
  • HTZCMZQM98NCUHWX
  • HTZCNZXV3RJ847KJ
  • HTZCOZ8PG395A7A9
  • HTZCPZN6JMXEWRCN
  • HTZCQZE5BEBN8F38
  • HTZCRZ8CUHQNFAR3
  • HTZCVZ9VS99A69S6

Read More: KRAFTON Strengthens New Game Development Pipeline to Drive Long-Term Growth in Core Gaming

Steps to redeem

Players can follow these simple steps to claim their rewards:

  • Step 1: Go to the Redeem section on BGMI’s official website www.battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem
  • Step 2: Enter your Character ID
  • Step 3: Enter the Redemption Code
  • Step 4: Enter the verification/ Captcha code → A message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”
  • Step 5: The reward will be delivered via in-game mail

Rules to Remember:

  • A maximum of 10 users can redeem each code on a first-come first served basis
  • A user cannot redeem a code twice
  • Users must claim their rewards via in-game mail within 7 days or the mail will expire
  • If a player is among the first 10 users to redeem the code, a message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”. Otherwise, users will see “Code expired” or a similar message
  • Each user account can redeem only one code per day
  • Redeem codes cannot be used via guest accounts
  • Rewards must be claimed within 30 days from receiving the in-game mail
    For the latest updates, follow BGMI’s official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages.

What Are BGMI Redeem Codes?

BGMI redeem codes are special codes that give you free rewards in the game. KRAFTON shares these codes, and you can use them to get free skins, outfits, gun upgrades and other items. You don’t need to spend any money. You just enter the code on the BGMI redeem website, and the reward comes to your in-game mail. It is an easy and free way to get new items in BGMI.

BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Day 3: Match Timings, Teams, Maps, and More

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The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 (BGIS 2026) THE GRIND Day 3 is here. A total of six matches will be played on Monday, January 19 across Erangel, Miramar, and Rondo. This is the battle for Group C teams to secure their position in the overall standings and determine their path in the BGIS 2026 Main Event. Check out the BGIS THE GRIND Day 3 schedule, teams, format, where to watch, and more.

BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Day 3: Schedule and Teams

Following is the schedule of THE GRIND Day 3:

MatchMapTime IST
Match 1Rondo2:00 PM
Match 2Erangel2:50 PM
Match 3Erangel3:40 PM
Match 4Erangel4:30 PM
Match 5Miramar5:20 PM
Match 6Miramar6:10 PM

On BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Day 3, Group C will compete with the following 16 teams:

  • GLITCHxREBORN
  • Gods for Reason
  • Team Altitude
  • Eggy Gaming
  • Oishani Esports
  • Jux Esports
  • 4 Wolf x DOD
  • Aura Esports
  • Vasista Esports
  • iQOO Revenant Xspark
  • MEDAL ESPORTS
  • Troy Tamilan eSports
  • FS ESPORTS
  • Learn From Past
  • Team versatile
  • RIDER ESPORT

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. Group C is competing today as part of this extensive qualification stage that runs from 17th January to 1st February, 2026.

The stakes are high for Group C teams. The top 8 teams from Group C will qualify for Round 3, while the bottom 8 teams will move to Round 2. All 64 teams based on the overall standings will seed to the Main Event, making every match crucial for placement.

Where to watch BGIS 2026?

Fans can enjoy all matches of the BGMI International Cup 2025 on the official YouTube channel of Krafton India Esports in Hindi, English, Korean, and Japanese.

Garena Reveals Free Fire Max Redeem Codes for January 18, 2026

Garena has released new redeem codes for Free Fire Max gamers today, January 18, 2026. These exclusive redeem codes provide Free Fire items such as diamonds, skins, characters, and loot boxes.

Players can redeem these 12-character alphanumeric codes, which are functional either for a period of 12 to 18 hours or for the first 500 redemptions. Let’s take a look at all the active Free Fire Max codes for today.

Garena Free Fire Max Redeem Codes

  • JF6AT3ZREM45
  • F8YC4TN6VKQ9
  • HZ2RM8VW9TP7
  • WD4XJ7WQZ42A
  • MN3XK4TY9EP1
  • KFN9Y6XW4Z89
  • V44ZX8Y7GJ52
  • UPQ7X5NMJ64V
  • ZRW3J4N8VX56
  • XN7TP5RM3K49
  • FFPLOJEUFHSI
  • TFX9J3Z2RP64
  • FF119MB3PFA5
  • FF11NJN5YS3E
  • FFICJGW9NKYT
  • FF1164XNJZ2V
  • FF11DAKX4WHV

How to Redeem Free Fire Max Codes?

Follow the steps mentioned below to redeem the codes successfully:

  • Visit reward.ff.garena.com
  • Then log in using your Facebook, Google, VK, Apple ID, Huawei ID, or Twitter account.
  • Enter the code, then click Confirm.
  • After that, check your email for the reward with the game within 24 hours.

Notes: Codes are region-specific, not stackable. Make sure to claim them as fast as possible.

​These daily drops are an improvement on the battle royale economy of Garena Free Fire Max, especially considering the huge number of gamers in the Indian region. All the codes are available for a limited time.

GamerLegion Outshines Aurora in BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1

GamerLegion, under new leadership, has delivered once again with a convincing win over Aurora to secure its spot in the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 LAN finals. The leadership of Snax has turned the tide for the roster as they look more gelled together.

VETO

  • GamerLegion removed Anubis
  • Aurora removed Ancient
  • GamerLegion picked Inferno
  • Aurora picked Dust2
  • GamerLegion removed Overpass
  • Aurora removed Nuke
  • Mirage was left over

Map 1: Inferno; Pick: GamerLegion; Winner: GamerLegion

Aurora, on their defense, kicked things off well before GL hit them back with the first gun round and managed to put together 4 rounds in a row before Aurora could win a round. Despite the streak, the Aurora defense had their opponent’s number for the remainder of the half as they managed to close it by winning all of the remaining rounds with an 8-4 lead. Despite the lead, GamerLegion managed to put up a defense just as good and hit map point before Aurora won the final three rounds of regulation to push the map to OT. The first half of OT went the way of the Turkish side, but GL caught up to win all of the remaining rounds to bring home their map pick. PR coming in with 28 kills and posting 1.54 IR proved to be a thorn in the side of Aurora while giving his team a much-needed early lead in the series.

Map 2: Dust2; Pick: Aurora; Winner: Aurora

A 5-0 start for Aurora set the pace of the second map after a tough loss on Inferno. GamerLegion got their first round on the board in the 4th round, which they built on to get 4 rounds in a row before Aurora won the remaining rounds to post a similar 8-4 dominant half. GamerLegion cut in on the lead off the back of pistol round conversion before Aurora managed to get back on the board to retain their lead. The 16th round onwards saw both teams trading rounds as Aurora edged out a comfortable win, taking us to the final map of the series. 17 kills and 1.35 IR from starman XANTARES helped Aurora pick up a much-needed 13-10 win to see the game go to Mirage.

Map 3: Mirage; Pick: Decider; Winner: GamerLegion

Mirage is where GamerLegion took things to the next level after having slow starts in the first half of the previous maps. 9-0 start to the game gave GamerLegion the much-needed dominant start to the map while putting Aurora under the burden of a massive lead. Winning 2 rounds by the end of the first half saw the Turkish side salvage two rounds by the end of the half to post a dominant 10-2 lead in the game. Aurora started their offense with 3 rounds in a row, but GamerLegion did not waste any more time, stopping the comeback right in its tracks to win the map with a 13-5 scoreline.

Aurora’s poor performances are particularly disappointing considering the big names on their team, and their early exit suggests that changes are needed within the roster. Only time will tell if they find their footing, but as of now, they are down and out.

Epic Games Shares New Rules for Prize Wheel Gambling in Fortnite

Epic Games has introduced a new Fortnite Developer Rule that prohibits Creative builders from incorporating “prize wheel” gambling in their islands.

For the unaware, Epic had pushed out an update last week that enabled Creative builders to allow in-game purchases on their islands. However, shortly after the feature went live, the devs behind the popular Creative map Steal the Brainrot not only added item bundles that cost up to 4900 V-bucks, but also added a prize wheel option where players could spend V-bucks to increase their “luck” with each spin.

This may have caught the attention of Epic Games, as the devs behind Fortnite have now stepped in with a new set of rules prohibiting prize wheel gambling for Creative maps.

On January 16, Epic updated the Fortnite Developer Rules to include the following provision: “Do not offer any in-island transactions that directly or indirectly influence prize wheels in any way. For example, you must not offer as an in-island transaction a ‘spin’ or ‘increased luck’ for a prize wheel.”

This rule is set to go into effect starting January 20, 2026.

Note that this doesn’t mean the removal of loot boxes entirely from the Fortnite Creative Maps. While Epic-made games continue to remain free from loot boxes, Creative map developers can choose to incorporate loot box-style items should they choose to do so. However, they won’t be able to introduce transactions that influence prize wheels in any form.

For the time being, the creators get to keep 100% of the money they generate through sales made on their islands. Starting February 2027, these sales will be split evenly between Epic Games and island developers.

BGMI PC Download Guide: How to Play BGMI on Windows (2026)

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Many players prefer experiencing Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) on a larger screen with keyboard and mouse controls. While there is no standalone BGMI PC client from Krafton, the game can be played on Windows PCs and laptops using Android emulators in a safe and straightforward way.

Is There an Official BGMI PC Version?

Krafton has not released a dedicated BGMI PC version. The only legitimate method to play BGMI on PC is through trusted Android emulators that run the official mobile build of the game. This approach allows players to log in with their existing accounts and preserve progress, skins, and statistics.

Several emulators work well with BGMI:

  • GameLoop: Widely used for battle royale titles and offers preset key mappings for shooting games.
  • BlueStacks 5: Known for a user-friendly interface and stable performance on mid-range and high-end systems.
  • Other options: Emulators such as LDPlayer or MEmu can also run BGMI reliably on lower-spec hardware.

Before installing, ensure your PC meets basic requirements such as Windows 10/11, at least 8 GB of RAM, and sufficient free storage space.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download BGMI on PC

  1. Download an emulator: Visit the official website of your chosen emulator and install the latest version for Windows.
  2. Install and set up the emulator: Open the emulator after installation and complete the initial setup, including signing in with a Google account.
  3. Search for BGMI: Open the built-in app store (usually Google Play Store), search for “Battlegrounds Mobile India” or “BGMI,” and select the official game by Krafton.
  4. Download and install BGMI: Click “Install” and wait for the game files to download and complete installation inside the emulator.
  5. Log in and configure controls: Launch BGMI, log in with your existing account, and adjust key mapping and sensitivity settings according to your preference.

Tips for Better Performance

For a smoother BGMI experience on PC:

  • Lower graphics settings if you notice frame drops or stuttering.
  • Close unnecessary background applications to free up RAM and CPU usage.
  • Keep both the emulator and BGMI updated to the latest versions for stability and compatibility.

Playing BGMI on PC is no longer a complicated workaround but a practical option for players who prefer precise controls and a wider field of view. By using a trusted Android emulator and following the steps outlined above, you can enjoy the full Battlegrounds Mobile India experience on your desktop or laptop while keeping your account and progress intact. As always, download software only from official sources and stay within the game’s terms of service to ensure a smooth and secure experience.

Buenos Aires & Shanghai to Host CS2 Majors in 2027

For the first time in the history of Counter-Strike 2, Argentina is set to host a Major event, marking a historic milestone for the region and the global competitive CS2 scene.

As per a recent HLTV report, the first CS2 Major of 2027 will be organized by FiReSPORTS in Buenos Aires, with the organization’s Founder and CEO, Rodrigo Figueroa Reyes, confirming the information.

“We’re very excited to host the first Major in the history of our country,” Reyes said in a statement to HLTV. “Fans will be delighted to come to a city like Buenos Aires, a city that blends European and Latin American influences, where they will be surprised by the passion of Counter-Strike fans in Argentina. We are going to give it our all to make this a great Major.”

The Buenos Aires Major is scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 20, 2027, and will mark the first South American Major since the IEM Rio Major 2022. With this event, Argentina becomes the fourteenth country to host a Valve-backed Counter-Strike Major.

The second CS2 Major of 2027 will return to Shanghai, China, with Perfect World, Valve’s regional publisher, serving as the tournament organizer. It’s set to take place between November 22 and December 12 and will mark the return of a CS2 Major to China following the Shanghai Major in 2024.

Note that Perfect World has not yet issued an official confirmation regarding this information.