Sunday, May 3, 2026
Home Blog Page 11

FURIA Star FalleN Announces Retirement at the End of 2026 After a 20-Year CS Career

Yash More
-
0
FURIA Star FalleN Announces Retirement at the End of 2026 After a 20-Year CS Career

Brazilian Counter-Strike icon Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo has announced that he will retire from professional play at the end of 2026. The FURIA in-game leader shared the news on stage at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro during IEM Rio 2026. His career began in Counter-Strike 1.6 over two decades ago.

FalleN Confirms Retirement Date on the IEM Rio Stage

Speaking in front of the Brazilian home crowd, FalleN said he has 247 days left as a pro player. He told fans he had decided to move on at the end of the year and take on other roles within Counter-Strike.

“I’ve decided that at the end of the year, I’m going to do other things within CS with you all,” he said on stage. He invited fans to follow him for the final 247 days of his playing career. He added that he wants to help other players change their lives through the game, the same way his own life was changed.

The announcement came at IEM Rio, a tournament with deep meaning for Brazilian Counter-Strike fans. FURIA’s form heading into the event has been strong, as noted in our FURIA vs Falcons FISSURE Playground 2 report.

A Career Built in 1.6 and Grown Through Every CS Era

FalleN’s professional journey started in Counter-Strike 1.6. He played at major events of that era, including ESWC, WCG, and IEM. His early teams included Complexity and FireGamers. The 34-year-old went on to compete across every version of Counter-Strike, from 1.6 to CS:GO and now CS2.

His breakout came with Luminosity and later SK Gaming during the CS:GO years. With his core teammates, he won back-to-back Majors in 2015 and 2016. Those two titles helped place Brazil on the global Counter-Strike map. For context on today’s elite CS2 scene, see our HLTV Top 20 players of 2025 ranking.

From MIBR and Liquid to Last Dance and Imperial

FalleN also played for MIBR and the North American org Team Liquid, his first long run with an international roster. He later reunited with his old Luminosity and SK core under the Last Dance banner. That project eventually moved under Imperial and reached the Legends Stage at the PGL Antwerp Major, with heavy support from fans back home in Brazil.

His move to FURIA in 2023 opened a new chapter. For more on his current team, read our report on FURIA winning BLAST Rivals Season 2.

FURIA Era: Three Trophies in 2025 and the Rise of Molodoy

FalleN will end his playing days as FURIA’s in-game leader and captain. He has lifted three trophies with the team: BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2, IEM Chengdu 2025, and FISSURE Playground 2. He also mentored young Kazakh AWPer Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, who was named Rookie of the Year and ranked as the sixth best player of 2025.

Beyond team results, FalleN has built a name as a teacher. He runs his Games Academy project across Latin America. The project offers instructional videos and platforms for pickup games and local tournaments. That side of his work has grown the game at the amateur level for years.

For official tournament records and career stats, you can check the HLTV player profile for FalleN and his full history on the Liquipedia Counter-Strike wiki.

A Thank You to Family and Teammates

FalleN ended his speech with a message to the people closest to him. He thanked his family, many of whom were in the arena. He thanked his wife Leticia for 23 years of support. He also thanked his teammates and said he will miss them in the years to come.

The full statement was first reported by HLTV.

What Comes Next for FalleN

FalleN has made clear he is not leaving the game. He plans to stay inside Counter-Strike in a new role after his final match. He wants to create paths for other players, the same way the scene once opened up for him.

For FURIA fans, the next 247 days carry real weight. Every event from here to the end of 2026 is one step closer to the final match of one of the most important careers in CS history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will FalleN retire from pro CS? FalleN will retire at the end of 2026. He made the announcement on April 17, 2026, and said he has 247 days left as a player.

Where did FalleN announce his retirement? He announced it on stage at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro during IEM Rio 2026.

How many Majors has FalleN won? FalleN won back-to-back Majors in 2015 and 2016 with Luminosity and SK.

Which team is FalleN playing for now? FalleN currently plays for FURIA as in-game leader and captain.

Will FalleN stay involved in Counter-Strike after he retires? Yes. He said he plans to do other things within CS after his final match, including work that helps other players.

Spirit Eliminates MOUZ to Set Up Semi-Finals Clash With Falcons

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Spirit Eliminates MOUZ to Set Up Semi-Finals Clash With Falcons

Spirit has advanced to the semi-finals of IEM Rio 2026, beating MOUZ with a 2-0 scoreline. Not only does this win secure a high placement for Spirit, but they will now have the chance to take revenge on the Falcons, who bullied them earlier in the tournament.

VETO

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

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

4-0 start for Spirit puts MOUZ on the back foot right from the get-go. As MOUZ struggled to find its footing, Spirit managed to outlast them in the first half by not letting them have more than two, leading to a 10-2 half. MOUZ pulled the game back before Spirit managed to hit the board once again in the full buy round, upon which they remained flawless to edge out a dominant win with a 13-5 scoreline. TN1R, with 18 kills, led Spirit to a dominant start as donk took the second chair to kick off the series.

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

Following a dominant start to the series, Spirit got off to a 5-0 start before MOUZ could hit the board. While MOUZ continued to struggle, Spirit outclassed them with a massive lead, with a 9-3 scoreline. Winning 5 rounds in a row put MOUZ within touching distance of Spirit before the CIS side got back to their winning ways. By winning 4 rounds in a row, Spirit outclassed MOUZ to reach the semi-finals as another tN1R masterclass of 21 kills sealed a convincing win for Spirit.

Spirit are through to the next round of play, eliminating MOUZ in the process. As MOUZ were outclassed, it really calls their strategy into question moving forward as the Major comes closer.

28-Year-Olds Are the Most Toxic Gamers, FACEIT Data Reveals

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
28-Year-Olds Are the Most Toxic Gamers, FACEIT Data Reveals

If you thought the toxic gamers of this world were all edgy teenagers, think again. According to FACEIT’s latest Integrity Report, toxicity among gamers peaks at age 28.

As per data posted on the official FACEIT X handle, 28-year-old CS2 players record the highest rate of toxicity bans on the platform per 1,000 accounts. The finding is based on an analysis of a whopping 155,680 toxicity bans over the past year.

“According to our data, older players are more likely to be toxic, peaking at age 28,” FACEIT said in its X post. “We analyzed 155,680 toxicity bans over the last 12 months, broken down by age and compared per 1,000 players at each age.”

Note that these figures are normalized per 1,000 accounts, which means they take into account the differences in player population across age groups, rather than relying on raw totals.

This finding undoubtedly comes as a shock to gamers online, as it challenges the stereotype that younger players tend to be more toxic in games. Instead, the data suggests that older, more experienced players are far more prone to frustration.

Over the past year, FACEIT has turned up its anti-toxicity measures to eleven, achieving a record number of bans in 2026. The platform confirmed that the increased bans are a direct result of additional staff being hired and players utilizing the new report system to provide more context and match evidence to the support team.

FACEIT’s recent crackdown on toxicity has left the CS2 community divided to an extent, with many veteran players arguing that the platform has become too sensitive and claiming that light trash talk or “old-school” banter now results in bans. Others, however, strongly welcome the stricter approach, saying it’s finally making matches more playable and less stressful, especially for newer or younger players who just want to enjoy the game without constant abuse.

Ascent Returns to Valorant’s Competitive Map Pool With Season 26 Act 3 Update: Leaks

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
Ascent Returns to Valorant’s Competitive Map Pool With Season 26 Act 3 Update: Leaks

With over six months having passed since its initial removal from Valorant’s competitive map pool, one of the fan-favorite maps of the shooter is finally making its return to the active rotation.

According to prominent Valorant dataminers on X, Ascent is all set to make its return to the game’s active map pool with the upcoming Season 26 Act 3 update. Unfortunately, it will be replacing another beloved map in the pool.

As per the leaks, Bind will be departing Valorant’s competitive map pool to make room for Ascent. This isn’t that surprising, considering the fact that it has been in the map rotation for nearly a year.

However, the reaction within the Valorant community regarding this change has been rather mixed. While many fans welcome the return of Ascent to the map pool, a significant portion of players have voiced frustration over maps like Pearl, Breeze, Haven, and Fracture all being included in the rotation at the same time. Some have even gone as far as to label it “the worst map pool” in the game’s history.

Ascent was removed from the Valorant map pool with the Valorant 11.08 update in October 2025, alongside Lotus. While a slightly reworked Lotus was re-added back to the pool in Season 2026 Act 2, Ascent has yet to make its return.

It’s unclear whether Ascent will be receiving a rework at the time of its return. Riot hasn’t made an official announcement regarding the S26A3 map pool as of yet.

Valorant Season 26 Act 3 Map Pool

Should the leaks turn out to be true, the Valorant Season 2026 Act 3 map pool will include the following maps:

  • Ascent
  • Breeze
  • Fracture
  • Haven
  • Lotus
  • Pearl
  • Split

Valorant Season 26 Act 3 goes live on April 29, 2026.

Metro 2039 Is Officially Revealed

Aritra Patra
-
0
Metro 2039 Is Officially Revealed

4A Games and Deep Silver have officially revealed Metro 2039, the fourth mainline game in the Metro franchise. The announcement came during the Xbox First Look showcase on April 16, 2026. The game has a Winter 2026 release window and is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Metro 2039 is set four years after the events of Metro Exodus. Players take on the role of a new protagonist called “The Stranger,” a recluse haunted by violent waking nightmares who is forced to return to the Moscow Metro, a place he swore never to go back to.

The Moscow Metro in 2039 has fallen under the control of a fascist regime called the Novoreich, led by a figure known as Hunter, a legendary Spartan who has united the underground factions under one banner. Hunter’s rule relies on propaganda and fear.

In a change from previous entries, The Stranger will be fully voiced, which 4A Games says is a step toward deeper immersion in Metro’s style of atmospheric storytelling.

The Ukraine War Shaped the Game’s Story

The development of Metro 2039 was directly affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 4A Games said the invasion “fundamentally changed” not only life at the studio but the game itself. “Everything we had planned for the next chapter of Metro changed in 2020, and more significantly in 2022,” the studio stated.

4A Games was founded in Ukraine, and the team remains majority Ukrainian, though developers are now spread across more than 25 nationalities. The studio currently operates from two main locations, in Kyiv and Malta.

The studio said the game’s meaning shifted: “The meaning has always been about preventing war, but now, war is our reality, and our message has shifted to be about the consequences.” The game’s story will focus on choices, actions, consequences, and the cost of securing a future.

Co-Creative Director Pawel Ulmer said, “We are not romanticizing the post-apocalypse. Metro has always been a tragic view of our actions as humanity, but 2039 is our most personal and darkest chapter yet.”

Metro 2039 features an original story written by 4A Games in collaboration with Dmitry Glukhovsky, the author of the Metro novel series. The story is not based on a specific book but is inspired by the world Glukhovsky created. Glukhovsky is currently in exile after publicly criticising the Russian government.

Gameplay and Engine Details

The reveal included a six-minute trailer and a gameplay tease captured using a mix of real-time gameplay and cinematics. The footage showed familiar Metro elements such as handcrafted weapons, a wristwatch UI, and a mutant combat encounter against returning creatures called Nosalises.

The gameplay clip showed The Stranger choosing to retreat down an escalator rather than fight the Nosalises directly, only for his weapon to misfire, pointing to the game’s ammo and weapon maintenance systems.

Metro 2039 runs on the latest version of the 4A Engine. Executive producer Jon Bloch said, “If we need to build a new feature or do something in a specific way, with our own engine we can just make it. We’re limited only by our vision.” He noted that 4A Engine allowed them to be early pioneers of ray tracing with Metro Exodus, and they are pushing that further in Metro 2039.

On environmental storytelling, Bloch also said: “Nothing is prefabricated — everything is unique and grounded. When you walk into a room, it’s clear that a person lived there. You can feel what they were doing right before they left or died.”

Platforms and Release Window

Metro 2039 launches simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. It also supports Xbox Play Anywhere. No specific release date has been announced beyond Winter 2026.

The Metro series started with Metro 2033 in 2010, followed by Metro: Last Light in 2013 and Metro Exodus in 2019. Metro 2039 is the first mainline entry since Exodus, making it a seven-year gap between numbered titles.

Call of Duty Movie Gets June 30, 2028 Release Date

Aritra Patra
-
0
Call of Duty Movie Gets June 30, 2028 Release Date

After more than a decade of false starts, the Call of Duty movie finally has a locked release date. Paramount announced it will open the film on June 30, 2028, with the reveal made during the studio’s CinemaCon presentation.

That date lines up with the 25th anniversary of the original Call of Duty, which launched as a PC game in 2003. It also drops right before the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the United States, one of the most competitive slots in the Hollywood calendar.

Peter Berg will direct the film. Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, is writing the script. The two are also co-producing alongside David Glasser and Rob Kostich, the president of Activision.

Berg said in a video message at CinemaCon that he and Sheridan are “both deeply connected to the special ops community” and want to portray that world with authenticity while also bringing “amazing scale.”

Berg has directed military-themed films before, including Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Battleship. Sheridan’s previous feature scripts include Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River.

For Sheridan, this will be among his last major projects at Paramount. He is set to move to NBCUniversal starting in 2029.

No Cast Yet

Paramount showed a sizzle reel at CinemaCon that used The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” over footage from the game. Production has not started yet, and there have been no casting announcements as of now.

Rob Kostich, head of Activision, said of the project: “We want to make sure that the authenticity of it is captured on a human level so that it feels really real and infuse that with epic scope.”

Steven Spielberg had reportedly campaigned to direct Call of Duty, but Activision did not want to give the director creative control over the franchise.

The Movie Has Been in Development Since 2015

A Call of Duty movie was first announced back in 2015. After missing a 2019 release, the original director announced in 2020 that the project had been put on indefinite hold. It was not until September 2025 that Paramount gave the film an official greenlight, with Berg and Sheridan attached in October.

Paramount and Activision released a statement saying the film is “designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences.”

What Story Will the Movie Tell?

No plot details have been confirmed. Activision sent out a survey asking fans to rank what they want the film to draw from. The options included Black Ops, Modern Warfare, Zombies, or an original Call of Duty story.

The Call of Duty franchise now spans more than 30 mainline games released since 2003. It has reached 1 billion players and generated $35 billion in lifetime revenue.

While the deal focuses on a single film, sources say it includes the potential for Paramount to expand Call of Duty across film and TV.

NVIDIA GeForce Now Launches in India: Price, Plans, and How to Join

Satyam Kumar
-
0
NVIDIA GeForce Now Launches in India: Price, Plans, and How to Join

NVIDIA has launched its cloud gaming service, GeForce Now, in India. The service went live on April 16, 2026, after multiple delays pushed the original rollout from 2025 into the first quarter of 2026. It enters the Indian market in public beta, with access rolling out through a waitlist system.

GeForce Now lets users stream PC games from NVIDIA servers to their own device. The heavy work happens on the cloud. The player only needs a screen, a controller, and a steady internet connection. This removes the need for an expensive gaming PC or console at home.

Mumbai Servers and RTX 5080 Hardware

NVIDIA is running its own servers for India, located in Mumbai. The company says this local setup gives users lower ping and reduced packet loss during sessions.

The Ultimate tier runs on NVIDIA Blackwell RTX 5080 SuperPODs. According to NVIDIA, this generation delivers up to 2.8 times better performance than the previous setup. It supports streaming at 360Hz for 1080p, 240Hz for 1440p, and 4K at 120fps. The hardware also supports full ray tracing and DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation.

For context on the India push, TalkEsport earlier reported on NVIDIA’s plans to bring GeForce Now to the Indian market and the groundwork laid before the official date.

GeForce Now India Price and Plans

GeForce Now India launches with the same tier structure used in other regions. There are three main plans: Free, Performance, and Ultimate. NVIDIA has set a 90-day introductory subscription period for the paid plans.

The Performance tier costs ₹999 for 90 days. It supports gameplay up to 1440p at 60 FPS.

The Ultimate tier costs ₹1,999 for 90 days. It offers 4K at 120fps, HDR output, ray tracing, DLSS 4, and longer session times.

The Free tier is not going live right away. NVIDIA says it will arrive in the coming weeks. The free plan offers one-hour sessions with ads.

Users can also buy a 200GB persistent storage add-on for ₹299, valid for 90 days across any tier.

NVIDIA has confirmed that these are introductory prices. The final pricing may change once the service exits beta. The company compared its India rates against Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and costs around ₹1,389 per month in India.

Supported Devices

One of the main pitches of GeForce Now is wide device support. The service works on:

  • Windows and Mac computers
  • Android smartphones and tablets
  • iPhones and iPads through Safari
  • Smart TVs from select brands
  • Handheld devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, Razer Edge, and Logitech G Cloud
  • VR headsets such as Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, in 2D mode

This flexibility is central to the service. A user can start a game on one device and pick it up on another.

Game Library and Store Integration

GeForce Now currently supports over 4,500 titles. Players can link their existing accounts from Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and Ubisoft Connect. This means users do not have to rebuy games they already own.

The service also supports an “Install-to-Play” feature. This allows users to install certain Steam games directly inside the cloud environment. Major titles on the platform include Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA V.

Cloud gaming is also growing alongside India’s broader gaming economy, which the government recently valued at ₹23,200 crore for 2024.

How to Join GeForce Now in India

Access is handled through a waitlist. Users can sign up on the official NVIDIA GeForce Now website for India. Invites are sent in waves on a first-come, first-served basis. Each invite comes with a one-week window to activate the account.

If you already registered during the early access sign-up over the past year, NVIDIA will send an email when your slot opens. Users who missed the first window can still join the waitlist for the Performance or Ultimate plan.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the signup and launch process, check the full guide on how to play games on GeForce Now in India.

Why It Matters for India

India’s cloud gaming market has been slow to develop at scale. Xbox Cloud Gaming has been available since November 2025. Smaller services like Jio Cloud Gaming and GameAway have also tested the space. GeForce Now enters as the most technically demanding option, with dedicated Mumbai infrastructure and RTX 5080-class hardware.

Early reviews from users who tested the service in beta, including a detailed hands-on from Android Central, point to low latency and strong visual output. Whether this translates into mass adoption will depend on the final pricing after beta.

FAQ

When did GeForce Now launch in India? GeForce Now officially went live in India on April 16, 2026, in public beta.

How much does GeForce Now cost in India? The Performance tier is ₹999 for 90 days. The Ultimate tier is ₹1,999 for 90 days. These are introductory prices.

Where are the GeForce Now servers in India? The servers are located in Mumbai and are operated by NVIDIA.

How many games are available on GeForce Now? The platform supports over 4,500 titles across storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and Ubisoft Connect.

Is there a free plan for GeForce Now in India? A Free tier is confirmed but has not launched yet. NVIDIA says it will arrive in the coming weeks.

KRAFTON India’s BGMI Esports Hits 930 Million Views in 2025: 201% Growth, 86 Million Unique Viewers

Pranav Nalawade
-
0
KRAFTON India’s BGMI Esports Hits 930 Million Views in 2025: 201% Growth, 86 Million Unique Viewers

KRAFTON India released performance data for its BGMI Esports ecosystem on April 17, 2026 from Bengaluru. The numbers cover the full year of 2025 and the recently concluded BGIS 2026, and they paint a picture of a platform that has moved well beyond promise.

The 930 Million Number: What It Means

The headline figure is the viewership jump.

In 2024, total BGMI esports viewership stood at 308.56 million. In 2025, that number reached 930 million, a 201% increase in a single year. Alongside that, BGMI esports IPs generated 984 million YouTube impressions and reached 86.78 million unique viewers in 2025 alone.

These numbers come from structured tournament investment, expanded formats, and a growing community base, not passive growth.

BGIS 2026 Sets a New Record

The data for BGIS 2026 stands on its own.

The 5th edition of the flagship event crossed 600,000 peak concurrent viewers on YouTube. It recorded 360 million total views, 420 million impressions, and approximately 20 million watch hours. Krafton India has described it as the most-watched mobile esports event in Indian history.

The audience profile attached to these numbers is what gives them commercial weight: young, mobile-first, aged 18 to 34, and growing at triple-digit velocity.

The Brands Already In

The commercial side of the ecosystem has been validated by a set of recognisable names.

Brands including iQOO, Realme, KIA, Monster Energy, Hero MotoCorp, and Swiggy have already partnered with BGMI Esports as a brand-building platform. The combination of close to 1 billion views per year, a mobile-first audience, and an 18-to-34 age bracket is what KRAFTON India is presenting as its commercial proposition.

INR 20+ Crore in Prize Money Since 2023

Since 2023, KRAFTON India has invested over INR 20 crore in prize money across four flagship IPs: BGIS, BMPS, BMSD, and the inaugural BGMI International Cup (BMIC). The BMIC brought elite teams from South Korea and Japan to compete on Indian soil for the first time.

The BGIS 2026 prize pool was raised to INR 4 crore. Through the BGMI Showdown, Indian teams now have a direct qualification pathway to the PUBG Mobile Global Championship.

Beyond Tournaments

The ecosystem investment extends past the pro circuit.

KRAFTON India’s Campus Tour has reached over 130 colleges nationwide, including IITs. The Rising Star programme is focused on developing emerging talent. The KRAFTON India Awards formally recognise top gamers, streamers, and esports professionals in the country.

BGMI itself has surpassed 260 million downloads. KRAFTON India’s broader portfolio includes Bullet Echo India, Road to Valor: Empires, CookieRun India, and Real Cricket. Since 2021, the company has invested over $250 million in Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, esports, and technology.

The Platform’s Broader Claim

The press release frames India’s position directly: with over 500 million mobile gamers, 65% of the population under 35, and some of the lowest data costs globally, KRAFTON India is positioning BGMI Esports as the most commercially efficient brand-building vehicle in Indian youth media.

Whether that claim holds beyond 2026 depends on whether the viewership trajectory continues. The data released today gives it a strong foundation.

For full context on the BGMI competitive calendar, read TalkEsport’s BGIS 2026 Grand Finals coverage and the BMPS 2026 complete guide. For KRAFTON India’s investment activities, see TalkEsport’s KIGI coverage. The official announcement is available at KRAFTON India’s website.

FAQ

How much did BGMI esports viewership grow in 2025? BGMI esports viewership grew from 308.56 million in 2024 to over 930 million in 2025, a 201% increase in a single year.

What records did BGIS 2026 set? BGIS 2026 crossed 600,000 peak concurrent viewers on YouTube, with 360 million total views, 420 million impressions, and approximately 20 million watch hours. KRAFTON India has called it the most-watched mobile esports event in Indian history.

Which brands have partnered with BGMI Esports? iQOO, Realme, KIA, Monster Energy, Hero MotoCorp, and Swiggy are among the brands that have activated through BGMI Esports.

How much has KRAFTON India invested in prize money? Since 2023, KRAFTON India has invested over INR 20 crore in prize money across its four flagship BGMI esports IPs.

What is KRAFTON India’s reach beyond esports? KRAFTON India’s Campus Tour has reached 130+ colleges, including IITs. Its Rising Star programme develops emerging talent. BGMI has surpassed 260 million downloads, and the company has invested over $250 million in Indian startups since 2021.

Follow TalkEsport for the latest BGMI esports news, tournament updates, and Indian gaming industry coverage.

PS6 Backward Compatibility Confirmed in Leaked Sony Document

Aritra Patra
-
0
PS6 Backward Compatibility Confirmed in Leaked Sony Document

A new leak from YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID) claims the PlayStation 6 will be backward compatible with both PS4 and PS5 games. The information reportedly comes from an internal Sony document shared with AMD, dating back to 2023.

This was discussed on the April 14 episode of the Broken Silicon Podcast. MLID stated directly: “The PS6, yes, it has backwards compatibility to 4 and 5, and they explicitly say it all over the place.”

MLID also noted the document is “years old,” which means Sony’s plans could have changed in the time since.

What the Leaked Document Says

The leaked Sony document covers both the PS6 home console, codenamed Orion, and the companion handheld, codenamed Canis. Both are confirmed in the document as backward compatible with PS5 and PS4 games, though PS3 is not mentioned.

A section of the document was shown on the podcast, with the leaker noting it “literally says ‘back compat PS4, PS5’ right there.”

If accurate, the PS6 would be the first Sony console to offer backward compatibility spanning two previous generations. The PS5 was the first PlayStation to include backward compatibility at all, covering PS4 games.

PS6 Handheld: Project Canis

The handheld side of this story is where things get interesting. The Canis handheld is not a PS5 derivative. It is being positioned as a core PS6 product, designed to play PS4, PS5, and PS6 titles, with 1080p and 720p performance modes.

The Canis APU includes hardware support for ray tracing, meaning games that cannot disable ray tracing will still run on the device.

Because the PS6 handheld is unlikely to have a disc drive, backward compatibility will apply to digital game libraries only. Physical PS4 and PS5 discs would not work on the handheld.

The leaked Canis specs, per MLID, include a monolithic 3nm die, 4 Zen 6c CPU cores, 12 to 20 RDNA 5 compute units running at 1.6 to 2GHz, a 128-bit bus with LPDDR5X-7500 memory, a MicroSD slot, an M.2 SSD slot, haptic vibration, dual microphones, a touchscreen, and USB-C video output.

PS6 Home Console: Project Orion

On the home console side, the PS6 Orion is described in the leak as a chiplet design using 8 Zen 6 CPU cores, 40 to 48 RDNA 5 compute units running above 3GHz, and a GDDR7 memory bus. Rasterization performance is estimated at around three times that of the PS5, with ray tracing expected to scale higher.

Manufacturing for both devices is reportedly planned for mid-2027, with a launch window of fall 2027 or early 2028.

How to Play Games on NVIDIA GeForce Now in India

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
How to Play Games on NVIDIA GeForce Now in India

NVIDIA has sent shockwaves throughout the Indian gaming community with the launch of GeForce Now in the country on April 16, 2026.

The iconic cloud gaming service enables users to stream games at high resolution from NVIDIA’s servers directly to their devices. This means gamers are able to run AAA titles on modest PCs, laptops, and even on mobile devices, without needing to commit to a high-tier gaming rig. All you need to get started is a screen and a decent internet connection.

If you’re interested in trying out NVIDIA GeForce Now, but you’re not sure where to get started, we’ve got you covered.

NVIDIA GeForce Now Pricing Details

While gamers can try out NVIDIA GeForce Now for free, they can also pay for a subscription to get premium features like priority access, longer gaming sessions, and better rigs.

At the time of writing, GeForce Now offers three separate membership tiers in India on a special 90-day subscription period to celebrate its launch. Users can either play games on the Free Tier, or pay for the Performance Tier or the Ultimate Tier.

The Performance tier is priced at INR 999 and provides access to over 4,000 games, up to 6-hour gaming sessions, 1440p at 60 FPS streaming, and priority queue access. Meanwhile, the Ultimate tier will cost you INR 1999, but it offers 8-hour sessions, up to 5K at 240 FPS, and top-priority server access, which typically results in little to no waiting time

How to Play Games on NVIDIA GeForce Now

Gamers are able to select from a library of over 2000 ready-to-play games on NVIDIA’s GeForce Now. Here’s how you can get started on the platform right away:

  • Create an NVIDIA account: Head over to the official GeForce Now website and sign up for a free account.
  • Choose your membership tier: You can stick to the Free tier when starting, or upgrade to Performance or Ultimate to skip the queue times.
  • Connect your game library: GeForce Now only lets you play games that you already own on other platforms. To connect your game libraries with GeForce Now, go to your account settings and link your Steam, Epic Games, GOG, or other supported storefronts.
  • Download the GeForce Now app: While you can play games on GeForce Now directly from your browser, users are recommended to download the app for a smoother experience.
  • Select a game and launch it: Browse the vast library of games and pick one you like. Simply hit ‘Launch Game’ to join the queue.
  • Wait for a rig and get started: Once a rig is available, the game will launch automatically, and you can begin playing instantly through the cloud.

That’s everything you need to know about how to play games on GeForce Now. Note that the aforementioned prices are all introductory prices and may change once the service exits its early access period.

1...101112...2,053Page 11 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.