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Fortnite Upgrades Hardware-Level Anti-Cheat for PC-Based Tournaments

Aritra Patra
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Fortnite Upgrades Hardware-Level Anti-Cheat for PC-Based Tournaments

Epic Games is cracking down on Fortnite cheaters by implementing stricter hardware security standards for PC-based tournaments. Starting February 19, PC gamers are now required to ensure that the IOMMU protection feature is enabled on their PC, aside from the existing security features such as the secure boot feature and TPM.

IOMMU (Input/Output Memory Management Unit), a low-level device function, is used to manage device access to system memory. This device function is being deployed as another layer of protection against highly sophisticated Fortnite cheats that make use of devices such as those found in a DMA tool. This is aside from the fact that the game is already employing Easy Anti-Cheat for software-related cheats.

The change will be felt in tournaments on the PC platform. The change will not be observable in casual or even ranked BR matches. Therefore, players can regularly queue up as they did before. Players who attempt to participate in tournaments without meeting the new requirements will not be banned. The clarification has already been given by Epic.

Most modern Windows 11 machines come with Secure Boot and TPM turned on out of the box, and many newer motherboards also support IOMMU by default. Players on older or custom-built rigs may need to dive into their BIOS settings to flip these switches, a potentially intimidating process for those uninitiated into this technological alchemy.

This is the latest move in Epic Games’ broad crusade against cheating. The publisher has already sued cheat sellers and banned the use of hardware manipulation tools. Additionally, they have tightened policies for restricted events like the FNCS. With the inclusion of the IOMMU technology, the competitive Fortnite scene for the PC platform is emerging to look increasingly secure in the way that console players might be used to.

GTA 6 Reportedly Removing Flying Vehicles and Jet Bikes for Grounded Gameplay

Yash More
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GTA 6 Reportedly Removing Flying Vehicles and Jet Bikes for Grounded Gameplay

New reports suggest that Grand Theft Auto VI may abandon the futuristic elements that defined recent updates of its predecessor. Rockstar Games is reportedly aiming for a more realistic experience by removing flying vehicles and jet bikes to focus on grounded street chaos.

According to The Sunday Guardian, the highly anticipated open world title could launch on November 19, 2026. This potential release window aligns with the developer’s shift toward a grittier and more authentic crime drama atmosphere.

Return to Realistic Street Chaos

The report indicates that GTA 6 will likely exclude sci-fi vehicles such as flying cars and weaponized jet bikes. These items became staples in GTA Online but were often criticized for disrupting the balance of the game.

By removing these futuristic assets, the developers appear to be prioritizing skill based gameplay. The focus is expected to return to traditional high speed car chases, realistic combat mechanics, and on-the-ground criminal activities. This change would force players to rely on driving ability and tactical shooting rather than overpowering technology.

November 2026 Launch and Trailer 3 Expectations

The same source points to a specific release date of November 19, 2026. While fans await official confirmation from Rockstar Games, this timeline suggests that the development team is taking the necessary time to polish the massive open world of Leonida.

Speculation surrounding “Trailer 3” has also intensified alongside these claims. The gaming community anticipates that future promotional footage will highlight this grounded approach, showcasing the dense urban environments and improved physics that will define the next generation of the franchise.

Team Secret Announces Official Hiatus From Competitive Dota 2

Yash More
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Team Secret Announces Official Hiatus From Competitive Dota 2

After more than a decade of competition at the highest level, Team Secret has officially announced an indefinite hiatus from the Dota 2 professional scene. The European organization confirmed it will not be fielding a roster for upcoming tournaments, marking the end of a significant era in esports.

The announcement was made via the organization’s official social media channels on Saturday. While the statement left the door slightly ajar for a potential return, it clarified that the team is currently “passive” in its approach to the discipline and is not actively seeking to build a new lineup.

“Passive” Approach to Return

In a brief statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Team Secret addressed the status of its Dota 2 division, which had been a topic of speculation within the community. The organization stated that while they remain interested in “compelling opportunities” that may arise in the future, they are effectively stepping back from the scene for the time being.

This decision pauses the operations of one of the most storied brands in Dota 2 history. Since its inception in 2014, Team Secret became synonymous with top-tier competition, securing multiple Major championships and consistently placing high at The International (TI) throughout its tenure.

Recent Struggles and Roster Instability

The move to inactive status follows a difficult period for the organization. Team Secret has struggled to replicate its past dominance in recent years, facing challenges in qualifying for premier events.

The team’s most recent roster, which included Clement “Puppey” Ivanov alongside players such as Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov and Maxim “re1bl” Afanasyev, disbanded in July. This dissolution occurred after the squad failed to qualify for two of the year’s most significant tournaments: the Riyadh Masters 2025 and The International 2025. These missed qualifications marked a turning point, leading to the current suspension of operations.

Puppey Moves to Coaching Role

A major factor in this transition is the departure of the team’s founding captain, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov. Widely regarded as the face of Team Secret, Puppey had led the roster since its formation more than 11 years ago.

Following the team’s recent competitive setbacks, Puppey has moved on to a new chapter in his career. He is currently serving as the head coach for PARIVISION, a role that separates him from active play with Team Secret for the first time in the organization’s history. His departure signals a definitive break in the continuity of the team’s Dota 2 legacy.

Organization Remains Active Elsewhere

While the Dota 2 division has gone dark, Team Secret continues to operate competitively in other esports titles. The organization maintains active rosters in games such as VALORANT, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six Siege.

For now, the Dota 2 community has seen the last of the team that once dominated the global circuit, though the organization’s statement leaves a faint possibility of a return should the right circumstances align.

Fortnite EWC 2026 Qualified Teams List and Reload Format

Satyam Kumar
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Fortnite EWC 2026 Qualified Teams List and Reload Format

Competitive Fortnite is set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. Following a one year hiatus, Epic Games has partnered with the tournament organizers to host the Reload Elite Series Championship this summer, featuring a $1 million prize pool.

The 2026 edition introduces a significant shift in format. Instead of the traditional Battle Royale Build or Zero Build modes used in previous competitions, participants will compete in Fortnite Reload. This mode emphasizes a faster pace and high elimination counts. The event will feature 40 Duos from around the globe who must earn their spots through a series of regional qualifiers.

Qualification Process and Regional Slots

Players from seven distinct regions will have four opportunities to qualify for the main event in Riyadh. The qualification period spans several months leading up to August 2026. The 40 available spots for the Reload Elite Series Championship are distributed based on region, with Europe and North America Central receiving the highest number of allocations per qualifier.

The breakdown of spots per qualifier for each region is as follows:

  • Europe: 3 Duos per qualifier (12 total)
  • NA Central: 2 Duos per qualifier (8 total)
  • NA West: 1 Duo per qualifier (4 total)
  • Brazil: 1 Duo per qualifier (4 total)
  • Asia: 1 Duo per qualifier (4 total)
  • Middle East: 1 Duo per qualifier (4 total)
  • Oceania: 1 Duo per qualifier (4 total)

Confirmed Qualified Teams

The first of four scheduled qualifiers has concluded, and the initial set of ten Duos has secured their tickets to the Esports World Cup 2026. These teams represent the top performers from their respective regions during the first round of competition.

Europe

  • Shxrk & T3eny
  • Sky & Scroll
  • Tjino & PabloWingu

NA Central

  • Cold & Rapid
  • Peterbot & Pollo

NA West

  • Phoenix & Retro

Brazil

  • 916Gon & Night

Asia

  • Yuma & Koyota

Middle East

  • 5aald & Mshary

Oceania

  • Alex & Wreckless

Three additional qualifiers remain on the schedule. As these events conclude, the remaining 30 slots will be filled to complete the final roster of 40 Duos for the summer championship.

BGMI 144 FPS and 165 FPS Support Reportedly Coming Soon

Divyesh Moghe
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BGMI 144 FPS and 165 FPS Support Reportedly Coming Soon

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) players may soon experience even smoother gameplay, as reports indicate that Krafton is working on introducing 144 FPS and 165 FPS support. This potential update would push the game’s performance beyond the current 120 FPS standard found on flagship devices.

Following recent updates that enabled 120 FPS mode for high-end smartphones, the demand for higher frame rates has grown within the competitive community. Leaks and community discussions suggest that the developers are testing these ultra-high frame rate options to match the capabilities of modern gaming hardware.

Pushing Beyond 120 FPS

Currently, BGMI supports up to 120 FPS on select flagship devices, a feature introduced in the version 3.2 and 3.6 updates. This setting significantly improved fluidity and reaction times for players. The rumored move to 144 FPS and 165 FPS represents the next logical step in mobile esports, bringing the game closer to PC-level monitor refresh rates.

If implemented, these modes would be exclusive to devices that possess both the processing power to render frames this quickly and the display technology to show them.

Hardware Requirements for 144 FPS and 165 FPS

Accessing these new settings will require top-tier hardware. Players will need smartphones equipped with displays that support 144Hz or 165Hz refresh rates. Standard 60Hz or even 120Hz screens cannot physically display the additional frames, meaning the feature will likely remain locked for the vast majority of users.

Likely Compatible Device Categories:

  • Gaming-Centric Phones: Devices from series like ASUS ROG, RedMagic, and Black Shark are the most likely candidates, as they frequently feature 165Hz panels.
  • Flagship Androids: Select high-performance models from iQOO (such as the iQOO 12 or upcoming 13 series) and Motorola that support 144Hz refresh rates could also be eligible.
  • Processor Specs: Achieving stable frame rates at this level requires powerful chipsets, likely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Gen 3, or the newly announced Gen 4 processors.

Competitive Advantage

For esports athletes and competitive rank pushers, higher FPS (Frames Per Second) translates directly to lower input latency. The jump from 120 FPS to 165 FPS offers diminishing returns compared to the jump from 60 to 120, but in high-stakes scenarios, every millisecond of responsiveness counts. Smoother tracking of moving targets and quicker visual feedback are the primary benefits of these ultra-high frame rate modes.

While Krafton has not yet released an official patch note confirming a specific release date, the buzz surrounding these features suggests they could be part of a future major update in 2026.

PMWC 2026 Slot Update: India Receives 2 Spots for Riyadh Event

Aditya Parsutkar
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PMWC 2026 Slot Update: India Receives 2 Spots for Riyadh Event

India has received a major boost on the global PUBG Mobile esports stage. PUBG Mobile Esports has officially confirmed that India will get two slots at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026, which will be held in Riyadh from August 6 to August 16, 2026. This is a big step forward for Indian teams, especially considering that last year India had only one slot, where BMPS 2025 champions Team AryanxTMG represented the country and finished 22nd overall. With two slots this time, India will have a stronger presence and better chances on the world stage.

India to Send Two Teams to PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 in Riyadh

On Tuesday, PUBG Mobile Esports officially revealed the slot allocation for PMWC 2026, and confirmed that India will now have two slots in the prestigious international tournament. Earlier, as per the initial roadmap shared by KRAFTON, India was allocated just one PMWC slot, which was reserved for the BMPS 2026 champion. However, the updated announcement has increased India’s quota, giving the region an additional opportunity to compete against the best teams in the world.

As of now, one slot is confirmed for the BMPS 2026 winner, which aligns with the existing qualification structure. The source of the second PMWC slot has not yet been officially clarified. It could be allocated through BGIS 2026 or possibly awarded to the BMPS 2026 runner-up, but PUBG Mobile Esports is yet to release final confirmation on this. Despite this, the slot itself is locked for India, which is the most important takeaway.

Looking back at PMWC 2025, India had only one representative. Team AryanxTMG, the champions of BMPS 2025, carried India’s hopes at the World Cup but finished 22nd in the overall standings. With two slots in PMWC 2026, Indian teams will not only gain more international exposure but also have a better chance to learn, adapt, and perform against top global regions like China, SEA, Middle East, and Europe.

Read More: India Gets 5 International Slots in 2026: 2 in PMWC and 3 in PMGC 2026

While the main focus is PMWC, it is also worth noting that India has received three slots for PMGC 2026. One direct slot will come from BMSD 2026, while the remaining two slots will be contested through BMIC 2026 against teams from South Korea and Japan. This shows PUBG Mobile Esports’ growing confidence in the Indian region and its competitive ecosystem.

Overall, getting two PMWC 2026 slots is a big milestone for Indian PUBG Mobile esports. It reflects the region’s growth, rising competition level, and increasing importance in the global circuit. Now, all eyes will be on BGIS 2026 and BMPS 2026, as these tournaments will decide which Indian teams get the chance to represent the country at the PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026.

ESL Announces IEM Atlanta 2026 Invites List: All Invited Teams

Sonu Banerjee
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ESL Announces IEM Atlanta 2026 Invites List: All Invited Teams

With the Intel Extreme Masters Atlanta 2026 Counter-Strike 2 event being just a few months away, ESL has announced the full list of teams that have been invited to the tournament.

In a recent post on the official ESL X handle, the tournament organizer revealed the list of teams invited for the Main Event of IEM Atlanta 2026 alongside the Global and Americas Closed Qualifiers.

For the uninitiated, the IEM Atlanta 2026 CS2 event is scheduled to take place from May 11-17, 2026. The tournament will see 16 elite teams battling through a double-elimination group stage followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket, competing for a share of the $1,000,000 USD prize pool.

IEM Atlanta 2026 Invited Teams

Here are all the invites that have been confirmed by ESL for IEM Atlanta 2026:

Main Event Invites

  • Astralis
  • BC.Game
  • B8
  • FaZe Clan
  • FUT Esports
  • GamerLegion
  • Legacy
  • M80
  • NAVI
  • NRG
  • paiN Gaming
  • Team Liquid
  • Team Vitality

Global Closed Qualifier Invites

  • BetBoom Team
  • EYEBALLERS
  • FNATIC
  • SINNERS Esports
  • Alliance
  • K27 Esports
  • Inner Circle
  • CYBERSHOKE esports
  • ENCE
  • TRICKED Esport
  • Team Nemesis
  • Johnny Speeds

Americas Closed Qualifier Invites

  • Passion UA
  • TeamVoca
  • Rave
  • BOSS

While IEM Atlanta 2026 is certainly packed with some of the finest teams in the current competitive Counter-Strike scene, it will also be missing out on some major names.

Notably, FURIA, Parivision, G2 Esports, Team Falcons, Team Spirit, MOUZ, and The MongolZ have all declined invitations to the event, forcing the organizers to extend invites further down the rankings.

Arc Raider 1.15 Update Brings Back Cold Snap, Adds New ‘Shared Watch’ Event: Patch Notes

Sonu Banerjee
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Arc Raider 1.15 Update Brings Back Cold Snap, Adds New ‘Shared Watch’ Event: Patch Notes

Only a couple of weeks after the ‘Headwinds’ update went live, Arc Raiders has received yet another major update with its 1.15.0 patch.

The Arc Raiders 1.15 update was shipped to the extraction shooter on February 10th, introducing a series of new (and returning) content for players to explore.

The latest Arc Raiders update aims to reduce the escalating Raider-on-Raider violence topside while reminding players of the true threat – the Arc.

Embark has already revealed the detailed release notes of the Arc Raiders 1.15 patch in a recent blog post. So without further ado, let’s check out everything you need to know about the update.

Arc Raider 1.15.0 Patch Notes

The highlights of the Arc Raiders 1.15 update include the new ‘Shared Watch’ event that encourages players to co-operate against the Arc, the return of the Cold Snap map condition, and a series of new cosmetics.

Check out the detailed patch notes of Arc Raiders 1.15.0 below:

  • Shared Watch
    • This is an opportunity to team up in the fight against the machines. 
    • The Shared Watch Event starts today and ends on February 24. Players will earn merits from destroying, assisting and damaging ARC and earn rewards. No merits will be earned from PvP encounters. Bring a friend or bring a stranger, but above all, bring enough ammo to make sure the machines notice you first.
  • Cold Snap Map Condition
    • Winter is not quite done with the Rust Belt – We are bringing back Cold Snap!
    • The map condition is back in rotation on outdoor maps with the same mix of risk and reward. Frostbite damage will make your trip topside a short one if you don’t seek shelter, but for those who do brave the tundra – there’s increased loot value at stake! 
    • You can still collect Candleberries, but they are no longer tied to any event. You can also collect, and throw, snowballs! Use them wisely, or don’t.
  • Cosmetics
    • The Vulpine set
    • The Slugger set

Content and Bug Fixes 

Some of you have noticed changes in past updates that didn’t make it into the patch notes, thank you for flagging those and keeping us on our toes!

We’ve been building ARC Raiders for years, but we’ve only been live for a short while, and we’re still growing into the rhythm (and discipline) of live operations. Making patch notes that are complete, accurate, and easy to follow is a muscle we’re actively training.

We’re improving our internal process so fewer things slip through, and when something does, your reports help us catch it quickly and update the notes. Please keep letting us know when you spot something missing, it genuinely helps.

Miscellaneous

  • Improved instances where players sometimes could not reconnect after disconnecting from a game.
  • Fixed an issue where the match start tunnel scene sometimes wasn’t being shown.
  • Fixed an issue where trials’ objective rewards could fail to grant at the end of a round due to a timeout, ensuring partial rewards are awarded when earned.
  • Fixed an issue where the end of round screen would sometimes show incorrect merits, XP, and Live Event points.
  • Fixed an issue where players’ platform icons would sometimes show incorrectly.
  • Fixed an issue where crafting would sometimes get cancelled.

Utility

  • Trailblazer Grenade
    • The explosions no longer deal damage through walls.
    • Deals more damage to small enemies but less damage to bigger enemies such as the Leaper and Bastion.

Weapons 

  • Fixed inconsistent weapon cycling when bound to keys other than the mouse wheel; keybinds now swap weapons reliably.

Known Issues

  • One of the Marco set helmet variants may appear incorrectly in preview and in the menu but will appear correctly in game.
  • Players may occasionally not receive a skill point as indicated in the result screen. A reboot/playing another round fixes the issue.
  • ‘Purchase Raider Tokens’ page may appear in front of the inbox and profile page when switching between them.
  • Player animations may appear broken when interrupting a search of the Baron Husk.
  • Certain containers may be unavailable to be interacted with.
  • Ziplines placed onto destroyed ARC parts will not appear correctly.
  • Scrappy “Batting Helmet” and the “Slugger” outfit might not appear correctly in the event preview.
  • The “Blindsided” achievement may not trigger as intended on the first attempt.

Valve is Preparing for the First CS2 Operation

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Valve is Preparing for the First CS2 Operation

Counter-Strike 2 fans may finally get the return of Operations after a long wait, according to the latest discoveries by data miners. CS2’s game files strongly suggest that Valve is actively working on CS2’s first full Operation and sparking excitement within the community in the process.

New Mission Points Found in CS2 Files

Popular data miner Thour, who boasts a solid track record, has uncovered that developers have recently added “mission-points” strings to CS2’s English localisation files. While this may be for something completely unrelated, there is a strong chance that Valve is working on a full operation similar to the likes of Riptide and Hydra in the background, which might be dropping in the coming months.

Operations spark a lot of interest for CS2 especially because there is little fresh content surrounding the game. CS2 is yet to get its first operation, and it’s high time that Valve drops something that would pull a lot of players back to the game.

New Client and Game Coordinator Signals Big Changes

Thour further pointed out that the developer comments found inside the CS2 files refer to a new CS2 client and updated game coordinator, which is likely being designed to handle additional large content like Operations. It goes without saying that this can be for something completely unrelated to an operation, but given how long it has been without one, it is highly likely that Valve is preparing for a new operation.

As Thour revealed all this information, CS2 players on platforms like Reddit and X already started talking about how the new operation will pan out. Given the last complete Operation was during the CS:GO era, there would be nothing that would pull fans back to the game more than a new Operation full of new skins, rewards, and missions. If Valve actually drops a new Operation, then this will make that the biggest content drop since the release of the game, but only time will tell if that happens.

India Gets 5 International Slots in 2026: 2 in PMWC and 3 in PMGC 2026

Aditya Parsutkar
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India Gets 5 International Slots in 2026: 2 in PMWC and 3 in PMGC 2026

India is set for a massive year in PUBG Mobile esports, with up to 5 international slots confirmed across the biggest global tournaments in 2026, as we already predicted in our video. PUBG Mobile has officially confirmed 2 slots for India at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026, while 3 more slots are expected for the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2026.

These developments significantly increase India’s presence on the global PUBG Mobile stage and give Indian teams more chances to compete against the world’s best.

PUBG Mobile Confirms 2 Slots for India at PMWC 2026

PUBG Mobile has officially confirmed that India will get 2 slots at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026, which will be held as part of the Esports World Cup 2026.

Earlier, Krafton India had announced only 1 PMWC slot for India in its 2026 esports roadmap, with qualification planned through the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2026. However, the latest confirmation from PUBG Mobile has increased India’s allocation to two teams for PMWC 2026.

This is a major boost for Indian squads, as PMWC is one of the most prestigious international PUBG Mobile tournaments.

India gets 3 Slots at PMGC 2026

Along with PMWC, India is also expected to receive 3 slots at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2026, similar to last year’s structure.

Out of these three slots:

  • 1 PMGC slot is already confirmed for India through BMSD 2026 (Battlegrounds Mobile South Asia)
  • 2 additional PMGC slots are possible via BMIC 2026

However, these two BMIC slots will not be easy to secure.

Tough Challenge Awaiting Indian Teams at BMIC 2026

To qualify for the remaining 2 PMGC 2026 slots, Indian teams will need to compete in BMIC 2026, where they are expected to face strong teams from Korea and Japan.

This makes BMIC 2026 a crucial and highly competitive event. Only the best-performing teams will be able to secure a spot at PMGC 2026 and represent India on the global stage.

Qualification Schedule and Slot Breakdown for India (2026)

Here is a simple breakdown of how India’s 5 international slots are distributed:

PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026

  • 2 slots confirmed
  • Qualification via BMPS 2026
  • Event held during Esports World Cup 2026

PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2026

  • 1 slot confirmed via BMSD 2026 (Direct)
  • 2 slots possible via BMIC 2026 (vs Korea & Japan teams)

Total International Slots for India in 2026: 5

Read More: Jonathan Switches to 3-Finger Controls After 7 Years Ahead of BGIS 2026

What This Means for Indian BGMI Esports

With five international slots in one year, 2026 could be a breakthrough year for Indian BGMI esports. More slots mean more exposure, tougher competition, and better chances for Indian teams to prove themselves at the highest level.

All eyes will now be on BMPS 2026, BMSD 2026, and BMIC 2026, as these tournaments will decide which teams get to carry India’s flag on the global PUBG Mobile stage.

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