Sunday, May 3, 2026
Home Blog Page 10

Spirit Sends Falcons Home from IEM Rio 2026

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Spirit Sends Falcons Home from IEM Rio 2026

Team Spirit is in the Grand Finals of Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026 after a successful revenge on Falcons, beating them 2-0, having lost earlier in the tournament. Dominant performances in back-to-back maps will see the CIS roster reach its first Grand Finals of the year.

VETO

  • Spirit removed Inferno
  • Falcons removed Overpass
  • Spirit picked Dust2
  • Falcons picked Mirage
  • Spirit removed Anubis
  • Falcons removed Ancient
  • Nuke was left over

Map 1: Dust2; Pick: Spirit; Winner: Spirit

With the Falcons failing to stop the short split, Spirit got off to a 4-0 start. As the Falcons started mounting rounds, Spirit failed to take their lead by the end of the first half, leading to a levelled scoreline before switching sides. Starting on their defence from a levelled scoreline, Spirit cruised ahead of the Falcons’ offence. Targeting the B site did not give the results they had hoped for. Spirit successfully anti-stratted them, closing out the game with a 13-7 scoreline. Freshly minted IGL magixx topped charts with 19 kills as donk enjoyed a relaxing day in the office.

Map 2: Mirage; Pick: Falcons ; Winner: Spirit

After Spirit lost to the force-buy, the Falcons lost their footing to Spirit, who stood tall on the defence, leading to a dominant start. Late into the half, the Falcons pulled in 4 rounds to make the half competitive. Following a disastrous first half, Spirit built on its lead to go ahead in the second half with a 5-0 run to close the match 13-4. 18 kills from zont1x proved instrumental for Spirit to close down Falcons.

Falcons’ run at Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026 comes to a disastrous close, after a brilliant start to the tournament. With rumours of a new IGL floating around, the Falcons are a team in disarray, and Cologne Major looks like a distant dream.

How to Get the Havoc Car for Free in Fortnite

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
How to Get the Havoc Car for Free in Fortnite

Epic Games is giving away the stylish Havoc Car to Fortnite players for free, but you may not have much time left to grab it.

For the next few days, the Havoc Car Body will be available to claim completely free in Fortnite. Once you claim it, you’ll be able to use it in both Fortnite and Rocket League.

Can’t wait to own your own Havoc Car to show off to your friends? We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get the free Havoc Car in Fortnite before it’s gone for good.

How to Get the Free Havoc Car in Fortnite

Players looking to unlock the Havoc Car in Fortnite for free can do so by participating in the Rivals & Rockets event.

To unlock the Havoc Car, you’ll need to complete 5 out of 6 available Rivals & Rockets quests in Fortnite. The quests in this event are pretty straightforward and can mostly be completed just by playing normally.

The first four quests can even be completed in a single match, making this one of the easier free cosmetic grinds in recent memory.

All Rivals & Rockets Quests in Fortnite

Below, we’ve included the full list of quests available during the Fortnite Rivals & Rockets event:

QuestReward
Visit 5 different Named Locations5,000 XP
Search 25 chests or ammo boxes5,000 XP
Eliminate 15 opponents5,000 XP
Travel 1,000 distance in vehicles5,000 XP
Outlast 200 players5,000 XP
Reach top 20 in 2 different matches5,000 XP

Note that you’ll only need to complete any 5 of the aforementioned quests to unlock the Havoc Car, so feel free to skip whichever one feels hardest for you.

Fortnite Rivals & Rockets Event End Date

The Fortnite Rivals & Rockets event will come to an end on April 30, 2026, giving players roughly two weeks to complete all the quests and claim their free Havoc Car.

Fortnite players can also unlock an extra free cosmetic by completing 5 Rivals & Rockets challenges inside Rocket League. For more details, be sure to go through our detailed guide on the topic.

New CS2 Update Further Improves Animgraph 2 Animations

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
New CS2 Update Further Improves Animgraph 2 Animations

Valve shipped out a new update to Counter-Strike 2 earlier today, and while it doesn’t bring any major changes to the shooter, it does introduce a series of small improvements to the game’s animations.

More specifically, the April 18 CS2 update brings improvements to the Animgraph 2 animation system that the devs introduced to the game a few weeks ago. For the uninitiated, Animgraph 2 is a significant improvement to the current CS2 animation system, reducing CPU and network overhead tied to animations while enhancing the overall quality and responsiveness of player animations across the board.

For the time being, the Animgraph 2 animation system can only be accessed by players who are in the appropriate beta branch. You can opt into the Animgraph 2 beta branch by checking out our detailed guide on the topic.

CS2 April 18 Update Patch Notes

Valve has already revealed the detailed patch notes of today’s CS2 update in an official blog post.

Note that all changes in the update are limited to the Animgraph 2 beta branch, with the live version receiving no patch.

Here are the detailed patch notes of the April 18 CS2 update:

[ ANIMGRAPH 2 ]

  • Fixed viewmodel and worldmodel HE grenade throw
  • Adjusted foot IK when idle
  • Minor polish for turn animations when planting
  • Fixed fast-weapon switching when holding inspect
  • Minor adjustments to viewmodel animations
  • Adjusted counter-strafe animation head dip amount

How to Get Dueling Dragons Jackie Skin in Fortnite

Aritra Patra
-
0
How to Get Dueling Dragons Jackie Skin in Fortnite

Fortnite players can pick up the Dueling Dragons Jackie skin at no cost right now, but there is a catch. You have to play Rocket League to earn it.

The skin is part of the Rivals & Rockets crossover event, which is live in both Fortnite and Rocket League. However, the challenges tied to the Jackie skin are only available in Rocket League. You cannot unlock it by playing Fortnite Battle Royale alone.

The event ends on April 30, 2026, at 9 AM ET. After that, the skin may or may not return to the Item Shop.

What Is the Dueling Dragons Jackie Skin?

The Dueling Dragons Jackie is a remixed version of the original Rocket Racing free skin. Epic Games introduced it as part of the Rivals & Rockets event, which runs across both Fortnite and Rocket League simultaneously.

How to Unlock the Dueling Dragons Jackie Skin

To get the skin, you need to complete all 5 Rivals & Rockets challenges inside Rocket League. Once you finish all five, the Dueling Dragons Jackie skin is added to your Fortnite locker automatically. No extra steps needed.

You do not need to do anything in Fortnite itself to claim the skin.

All Rivals & Rockets Challenges in Rocket League

Here are the five challenges and their rewards:

ChallengeReward
Play 5 online matches10,000 XP
Hit the ball 50 times in online matches10,000 XP
Get 15 centers or clears in online matches10,000 XP
Score 5 goals in online matches10,000 XP
Win 5 online matches“Drippy” Title
Complete all 5 Rivals & Rockets challengesDueling Dragons Jackie skin

The challenges are straightforward. Most of them track naturally across a handful of online matches. Winning 5 matches is probably the one that takes the most time, depending on your skill level in Rocket League.

When Does the Rivals & Rockets Event End?

The event closes on April 30, 2026, at 9 AM ET. You need to finish all five Rocket League challenges before that time to secure the skin.

There is no word yet on whether Epic Games will add the Dueling Dragons Jackie skin to the Item Shop after the event ends.

How To Get the Sommerset Fortnite Skin for Free

Alpha Gaming Parts Ways With PMGC 2025 Third-Place PUBG Mobile Roster

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
Alpha Gaming Parts Ways With PMGC 2025 Third-Place PUBG Mobile Roster

Mongolian esports organisation Alpha Gaming has officially parted ways with its entire PUBG Mobile roster. The announcement was made on the team’s Instagram account on April 18, 2026.

The farewell covers all five players from the lineup: REFUS, EAST, TOP, ZYOL, and DOK. The team’s Instagram post read, “Farewell to our PUBG MOBILE roster. Thank you, champs, for the unforgettable moments, passion, and dedication you gave to the game. Your journey with us will always be remembered. Wishing you all the best for what’s next.”

The Roster That Reached PMGC 2025 Grand Finals

The Alpha Gaming PUBG Mobile roster was one of the most watched lineups in the 2025 competitive season. The team finished third at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2025 Grand Finals in Bangkok, Thailand.

Alpha Gaming scored 130 points across 18 matches at the PMGC 2025 Grand Finals. They missed out on the title by 12 points, with Alpha7 Esports from Brazil lifting the trophy and ULF Esports from Turkey finishing second.

The team earned $488,708 in prize money across 12 tournaments during its run, according to data from Esports Charts. Peak viewership for an Alpha Gaming match was 1.38 million, recorded during the PUBG Mobile World Cup 2025 at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

TOP’s Historic MVP Award

At PMGC 2025, Alpha Gaming’s TOP was named the Grand Finals MVP. With that award, he became the first player in PUBG Mobile history to win the PMGC MVP twice. TOP had previously claimed the same honour at PMGC 2023.

Other players on the roster also carried strong individual records. DOK was named MVP of PUBG Mobile World Cup 2025 earlier in the season. ZYOL has been a staple of competitive PUBG Mobile since 2020.

For the full picture of how PMGC 2025 played out, the PMGC 2025 Grand Finals breakdown covers the format, all teams, and the Smash Rule that decided the champion.

How the Roster Came Together

Alpha Gaming signed the lineup on May 14, 2025. The full squad came from the disbanded 4Merical Vibes roster: DOK, TOP, ZYOL, REFUS, and B4RON. EAST joined the team later on August 8, 2025, to complete the playing five.

The squad quickly became one of the favourites heading into PMGC 2025. TalkEsport’s pre-tournament preview named Alpha Gaming as a top team to watch in the PMGC 2025 Gauntlet Stage, with the lineup widely described as a “dream lineup” by fans.

Alpha Gaming also dominated PMGC 2025 Group Green Day 1, finishing with 90 points and leading the standings comfortably before progressing through the tournament.

What the Farewell Means

Alpha Gaming has not announced a replacement roster. The Instagram post did not explain the reason for the split or name any specific destinations for the five players.

At the time of this report, the farewell post had over 5,100 likes, 460 comments, and close to 60 shares. Fan reaction in the comments has been a mix of disappointment and curiosity about where each player heads next.

PUBG Mobile’s 2026 season is already underway. KRAFTON has confirmed that the competitive calendar will be split into two halves, with two PUBG Mobile Global Opens, national championships, and a return to the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh. More details are available on the official PUBG Mobile Esports website.

Free agency for high-profile players like TOP, DOK, and the rest of the roster is likely to be one of the bigger storylines of the 2026 transfer cycle across global PUBG Mobile. Based on Liquipedia’s tracking of past transfers, these five are among the most decorated free agents on the market right now. Their next organisation will have immediate title expectations.

GodLike Esports Officially Signs Saumay for BGMI Roster Ahead of BMPS 2026

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
GodLike Esports Officially Signs Saumay for BGMI Roster Ahead of BMPS 2026

GodLike Esports has officially signed Saumay Anand to its BGMI roster. The announcement confirms weeks of speculation across the Indian esports scene following Jonathan’s exit earlier this month.

Saumay joins from Vasista Esports. He has previously played within the Team Soul ecosystem. The move comes during the ongoing BGMI player transfer window, which opened on April 1, 2026.

Why GodLike Needed a New Signing

Jonathan Amaral left GodLike Esports earlier in April 2026 after a four-and-a-half-year run with the organisation. He later launched his own team, Team Apex Gaming, on April 12.

Jonathan’s exit closed one chapter for GodLike and opened a rebuild phase. You can read the full timeline of his departure and new venture in our Jonathan Gaming Team Apex launch breakdown.

Before this signing, GodLike’s core had four confirmed names: Manya as in-game leader, Admino, Spower, and GodZ. A fifth slot was open. The team was actively scouting for a new assaulter to round out the playing four.

Saumay’s Background and Career

Saumay Anand was born in January 2007. He has had stints with Team Soul, Reckoning Esports, Meta Ninza, and most recently Vasista Esports.

At BGIS 2026, Saumay recorded 53 finishes across the tournament. That performance flagged him as one of the more consistent young fraggers in the circuit.

His connection to the current GodLike core is not new. Saumay had played alongside Manya at Team Soul during their time together in the BGMS Season 3 cycle.

The Expected GodLike Lineup After the Signing

With Saumay now in the roster, the projected playing four is expected to shape up as follows.

Manya will continue as the in-game leader. Admino and Spower will operate as primary assaulters on the frontline. Saumay is expected to play a flexible role, giving the team balance in rotations and end-game decision-making. GodZ will slot in as the fifth player, coming in for rotations when needed.

This is a shift from the older Jonathan-era setup, which leaned heavily on three aggressive frag-heavy assaulters. The new structure looks more balanced. It may not be as flashy on paper, but it is built around consistency and stability rather than individual highlights.

The Pressure on Saumay

Stepping into a lineup that just lost Jonathan is not a simple roster slot. Saumay is replacing the most recognised individual player in Indian BGMI.

Fans will draw direct comparisons. Coaches and analysts will watch every scrim. His BGIS 2026 numbers show the potential is there. Whether he can convert that into stage performance under the GodLike banner is the question the next few weeks will answer.

The organisation has its own track record to defend as well. GodLike has never won an official BGMI trophy despite multiple finals appearances. For more on the team’s recent competitive run, see the full BGIS 2026 debrief featuring Jonathan’s benching and the 5th place finish.

What Comes Next: BMPS 2026 and the Road to EWC 2026

The next major tournament is BMPS 2026, the Battlegrounds Mobile Pro Series. The event is scheduled to start in May. It is also the qualification route to the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh.

For a detailed view of how the window is shaping up across all Indian BGMI teams, our BGMI transfer window April 2026 tracker has the full list of roster moves, releases, and confirmed signings.

KRAFTON India introduced the structured transfer window in October 2025. Each team is allowed one active roster of four to five players registered through the official KRAFTON India Esports dashboard. All transfers must be completed before the window closes, which is expected around May 1, 2026.

Saumay’s career history is documented on his Liquipedia profile, which also tracks his past teams and tournament results. GodLike and S8UL are both part of the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Partner Program, which adds further stakes to how the team performs across the upcoming season.

The Bigger Picture

GodLike’s rebuild after Jonathan is one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 BGMI transfer window. The Saumay signing is the final piece the team needed to lock down its playing four.

Whether the new lineup can win the organisation its first official BGMI trophy depends on how quickly the roster gels. BMPS 2026 will be the first real test.

KRAFTON India Opens KIGI Cohort 3, Sets April 24 Launch for First PC Game Frontier Paladin

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
KRAFTON India Opens KIGI Cohort 3, Sets April 24 Launch for First PC Game Frontier Paladin

KRAFTON India has announced the third cohort of its KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI). The company also confirmed that Frontier Paladin, the first PC game to come out of the program, will launch on April 24, 2026.

The announcement was made in Bengaluru on April 18, 2026. Both moves are part of KRAFTON India’s push to support local game studios building for a global audience.

KIGI Cohort 3: Four New Indian Studios Join the Program

Four new studios have been picked for the third edition of KIGI. Each studio will get milestone-based financial support between $50,000 and $150,000. They will also receive 6 to 12 months of mentorship from KRAFTON’s global network.

This cohort comes with an expanded mentorship model. KRAFTON India says it is adding deeper engagement, functional experts, and a stronger focus on quality control. Studios will also get user acquisition support from the company.

Partner tools and services in this cohort include Google Cloud, AWS, AccelByte, Lift Off’s GameRefinery, AppMagic, and Lysto. Two new partners have also joined: Liquid and Grit, and GameRamp.

The Four Studios in KIGI Cohort 3

The cohort features teams from across India, working on different genres.

Xod Games Studio (Jaipur, Rajasthan) is building Peaky Circus. The game is a narrative-driven Metroidvania set in a mystical world where clowns hide their true identities behind masks.

EvolX Games (Bangalore, Karnataka) is developing Ludaro. It is a roguelike deck-building dice game with a twist on traditional Ludo.

Ether Games (Kochi, Kerala) is working on Battlefront. The game is a mobile shooter focused on frontline battles across dynamic warzones.

RedDevil Studio (Hyderabad, Telangana) is making Rooster Rumble. It is a mobile PvP brawler built around rooster fights with short, skill-based matches.

KIGI Program History: 10 Studios Across Two Cohorts

KIGI was launched in 2023. Since then, it has supported 10 studios across its first two cohorts. Games in the program have covered genres such as puzzle, RPG, action-adventure, and sports.

The program helps studios strengthen production, refine go-to-market plans, and get their titles ready for launch. Mentors come from KRAFTON’s network in India and South Korea.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of KRAFTON India, said, “India is seeing strong momentum in game development, with more creators building for global audiences. Through KIGI, we aim to support this growth by enabling studios with the right resources and guidance.”

Anuj Sahani, Head of KIGI and Director of Publishing at KRAFTON India, added, “Through the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, our aim has always been to back India’s most promising game developers with the resources and guidance needed to build globally competitive titles.”

Frontier Paladin: The First PC Game From KIGI

Mumbai-based Singular Scheme is the studio behind Frontier Paladin. The single-player action RPG launches on PC on April 24, 2026.

The game mixes skill-based melee combat with tower defense. Players take the role of Titus, a Paladin defending the Order’s fortress on a cursed battlefield. Gameplay covers trap placement, AI-led allies, and evolving character builds.

The title has already picked up awards at IGDC 2024 and 2025. It is also the first PC release from any KIGI cohort, and marks a shift for the program beyond mobile-first titles. For context on how KRAFTON’s mobile work has progressed recently, you can read about the BGMI 4.3 update and its new UI overhaul.

Ahad Oomerbhoy, Founder of Singular Scheme, said the project took four years. “Frontier Paladin has been a four-year journey of relentless iteration, refining combat feel and redesigning progression to truly balance RPG depth with strategic defense.”

He added, “What sets it apart is that hybrid experience: a deliberate paced action RPG that seamlessly transforms into tactical tower defense. We hope our journey is one of the first; that many other Indian studios will make similar journeys regarding ambitious, premium PC games being built locally for a global stage.”

What This Means for Indian Game Development

KIGI Cohort 3 and the Frontier Paladin launch come at a busy time for KRAFTON India. The company has also been working on expanding BGMI through partnerships such as the Chennai Super Kings collaboration, and has been running player surveys around a possible BGMI Lite version.

KRAFTON India has invested over $250 million in Indian startups across gaming, esports, and technology since 2021. Its flagship title, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has crossed 260 million downloads.

With Frontier Paladin hitting PC on April 24 and Cohort 3 now in motion, KIGI is adding premium PC development to its track record. More information is available on the official KRAFTON corporate website.

Clash of Clans “Foot Tribute Bundle” Sparks Outrage as Players Call Out Supercell

Yash More
-
0
Clash of Clans “Foot Tribute Bundle” Sparks Outrage as Players Call Out Supercell

Supercell has added a new $12 bundle to Clash of Clans, and the community cannot decide if it is a joke or a marketing stunt. The pack is called the “Foot Tribute Bundle,” and it launched inside the mobile game on April 17, 2026.

The bundle is live right now in the in-game shop. Players who want the full pack need 500 Gems. Single pieces can also be bought on their own.

What Is Inside the Clash of Clans Foot Tribute Bundle

The Foot Tribute Bundle contains seven foot-shaped statue decorations for your village. Decorations in Clash of Clans are cosmetic items. They sit on your base and do not boost defenses or attacks.

Fans can grab the full set for 500 Gems. Players who do not want all seven can buy each Foot Tribute statue on its own from the Trader, according to Insider Gaming.

The promo image shows an Archer Queen relaxing with her bare feet on display. That single image is what set the internet on fire.

The Official Post From Supercell

The official Clash of Clans account on X announced the drop with flowery marketing copy.

“Live like a Queen,” the post said. “The Foot Tribute Bundle is now live. Cast in perfect detail, bare and unapologetically regal. A decadent indulgence for the truly refined. Judgment fades, elegance lingers.”

The tone of the post was part of the shock. Most Clash of Clans bundles use standard battle-themed language. This one did not.

Players React: Mixed Responses Across X and Reddit

Supercell really knows their audience
byu/MikeWangedIt inClashOfClans

The community reaction has been all over the place. Some players found the bundle funny. Others called it out of touch for a mobile title with a young audience.

“This is a f***ing kids game. I’m out,” one user wrote on X.

“This is like genuinely weird for a kids game,” another player added.

Not every reply was angry. A few fans leaned into the joke. One user wrote: “What a disgusting bundle. I’ll go get mine.” A Reddit post in the r/ClashOfClans subreddit read: “Supercell really knows their audience.”

Twitch streamer Kalei also joined the thread. She joked about the same idea coming to other games, naming Marvel Rivals characters like Psylocke, Emma Frost, and Black Cat in her reply.

Why the Bundle Caught Everyone Off Guard

Clash of Clans has sold odd cosmetic items before, including a Kawaii Giant statue and a WWE title decoration. The Foot Tribute Bundle stands out because of its theme and the way Supercell marketed it.

Unlike seasonal cosmetics tied to a patch, this one feels aimed at a niche crowd. Supercell has not said if it was meant as a joke, a late April Fool’s drop, or a serious store item. The studio has not issued a follow-up statement at the time of writing.

The bundle is available for a limited run. Players who want it will need to grab it before Supercell pulls it from the shop. You can check out the decorations list on the official Clash of Clans wiki to see how it fits with past special items.

Context: Supercell’s Recent Clash of Clans Moves

This release comes during a busy stretch for the game. Supercell recently shipped the Clash of Clans February 2026 update with the new Greedy Raven pet and an Earthquake Spell Tower rework.

The studio also rolled out changes to the Gold Pass 2.0 revamp after early feedback from the player base. On top of that, a Clash of Clans Legend League rework is set to reshape end-game trophy pushing this month.

The Foot Tribute Bundle is a smaller, one-off cosmetic drop. It does not touch gameplay in any way. Still, it has generated more chatter in a single day than most balance patches.

Will Supercell Keep Selling Strange Bundles

For now, the Foot Tribute Bundle is live and ready to buy. Whether it sticks around in future seasons will likely depend on how many players actually spend 500 Gems on it.

Supercell has not commented on sales numbers. Players who want to weigh in have been doing so on X, Reddit, and Twitch since the drop went live.

ENVY Releases Canezerra After Riot Games Issues 12-Month Hardware Ban

Yash More
-
0
ENVY Releases Canezerra After Riot Games Issues 12-Month Hardware Ban

ENVY has parted ways with VALORANT player Alex “Canezerra” Banyasz. The move follows a 12-month hardware ban from Riot Games for multiple Terms of Service violations. The organization announced the decision on April 16, 2026.

The ban covers every Riot title. It stops the 17-year-old from playing, competing, streaming, or joining any promotional work tied to Riot games. ENVY said it had no option but to end his contract.

Why ENVY Had to End the Contract

ENVY made its position clear in an official statement. The club said the termination was forced, not chosen.

A hardware ban is one of the toughest tools Riot uses. Unlike a normal account suspension, it restricts access at the device level. A new account will not help the player return during the ban period.

In its post, ENVY said: “We have been informed that Canezerra has received a 12-month hardware ban from Riot Games. After a careful review of Canezerra’s behavior while playing Riot’s games, they found multiple violations of their Terms of Service. This was not a ban for cheating.”

The club added that the scope of the ruling left no path forward. The full penalty blocks Canezerra from any Riot-related activity for a year. Since his role on the team depended on that access, the contract ended with immediate effect.

Who Is Canezerra?

Alex Banyasz is an American duelist. He was 17 at the time of the ban. He was set to turn 18 in June 2026, which would have made him eligible to play in VCT Americas.

He joined RANKERS in 2024. The roster included ex-100 Thieves player Inspire, P0PPIN, ion2x, and Eggsterr. ENVY acquired the lineup in March 2025 as part of its return to VALORANT after nearly four years away from the title.

The team went on to win Ascension Americas 2025. They beat TSM in the grand final, which earned them a spot in VCT Americas 2026. Canezerra had strong numbers during the playoff run and dropped more than 20 kills in five separate maps. ENVY’s Ascension run over TSM was a major step in the org’s return to tier 1 play.

Because of his age, he could not compete in VCT and stayed on the bench. The ban now closes that door for a year.

Canezerra’s Apology

Canezerra posted a public apology the same day. He took responsibility and did not argue the punishment.

“I made a serious mistake and said things I deeply regret. There’s no excuse for it,” he wrote on X. “I’m really sorry to my fans, Envy, Riot, and everyone who supports me. I’ve let you down.”

He also spoke about his routine. He said he had spent close to 10 hours a day on VALORANT for the past five years. He added that he had acted immaturely in ranked games and called the ban a wake-up call.

In the same statement, he shared his plan. “I’m fully committed to this game and to coming back the right way.” The ban runs until April 17, 2027.

What Riot Has Said About the Violations

Riot has not publicly listed the exact violations. ENVY confirmed only that the ban was not for cheating. It stemmed from behavior and conduct issues under the Terms of Service.

A full hardware ban is rare. Riot usually reserves this level of penalty for extreme or repeated misconduct. Reports from community sources and Canezerra’s Liquipedia profile confirm the 12-month scope and the immediate contract release.

This is not the first time Riot has issued a long ban for conduct. Earlier in 2025, Valorant coach Juv3nile received a 12-month ban over inappropriate DMs. Riot has also suspended players and coaches before for toxic speech, leaks, and other code of conduct breaches.

Fan Reaction and Community Response

Fan reaction has been split. Some fans pointed to his age and said the penalty was harsh. Others said pro players must meet a higher standard.

Most agreed on one point. ENVY had no real choice. With a hardware ban in place, the player cannot log in, stream, or appear in any Riot-linked content. Keeping him on the roster was not possible.

ENVY’s VCT Americas 2026 plans now shift. The team had already been planning around Canezerra’s eventual debut once he turned 18. That plan is on hold for at least a year.

What Happens Next

Canezerra will be banned from all Riot titles until April 17, 2027. He said he plans to use the time to grow and return the right way.

For ENVY, the focus moves to the current roster and the 2026 season. The club will need to fill the slot it had reserved for him. For the wider scene, the ruling adds one more case to Riot’s growing list of conduct-based bans in VALORANT esports. The format for VCT itself is also shifting soon, with the new VCT 2027 structure opening more paths for young talent, though Canezerra will miss that first wave.

ENVY’s full statement is available on its official X account.

Vitality Reaches IEM Rio Semi-Finals

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Vitality Reaches IEM Rio Semi-Finals

Vitality successfully reached the Semi-Finals of IEM Rio 2026, beating NAVI with a 2-0 scoreline. 13-5 and 13-6 saw NAVI not able to stand a chance against a well-oiled Vitality, who brought their A game after losing out to Falcons in a tight match that could have gone either way.

VETO

  • Natus Vincere removed Overpass
  • Vitality removed Ancient
  • Natus Vincere picked Mirage
  • Vitality picked Dust2
  • Natus Vincere removed Inferno
  • Vitality removed Anubis
  • Nuke was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: NAVI; Winner: Vitality

Vitality on the defence got off to a 5-0 start before NAVI could see a round to their name. Following a poor start, NAVI stabilised later in the first half to edge out a close scoreline with an 8-4 deficit. Starting their offence with a solid lead, Vitality went on to post a streak of 5 rounds to close out the game with a highly dominant 13-4 scoreline. A 30-kill masterclass from ZyWoo outshined everyone on the server and proved to be the difference that put NAVI to bed on their own map pick.

Map 2: Dust2; Pick: Vitality; Winner: Vitality

Hitting the board with the first gun round, NAVI failed to capitalize, leading to a poor start to the map for the second time. Recovering later in the half, NAVI walked away with an 8-4 scoreline before switching sides. Having won the pistol, NAVI cut the lead in half before Vitality hit the board on the first full buy round, leading to them taking back control of the game. Winning the first round of the offence, Vitality cruised past NAVI with 5 rounds in a row to close out yet another dominant performance with a 13-6 scoreline. An unlikely fragger in apEX stood out as the chart topper against NAVI to take Vitality to the semi-finals.

Following their recent burst in form, NAVI has failed to replicate their success against the top sides. As Vitality is the best team in the world can be a tough side to beat, but to get blown out in this fashion speaks to how NAVI is yet to find consistency.

1...91011...2,053Page 10 of 2,053

EDITOR PICKS

Opinions

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

TalkEsport is world's premier stop for esports scores, news and coverage! In the industry since 2009, TalkEsport has garnered immense authenticity and credibility, making it the top destination for Esports!

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© TalkEsport Media & Broadcasting (P) Ltd. All Rights Reserved 2009-2026.