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Nintendo’s Pokémon Patent Rejected Because of a 2013 Fan Game

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Nintendo’s Pokémon Patent Rejected Because of a 2013 Fan Game

Nintendo’s efforts to secure a patent for their Pokémon project have witnessed a massive setback after the patent examiner deemed their mechanics to be extremely similar to those of a fan-made game released as early as 2013. While the fan-made game may be far from Nintendo’s, the overlap in the mechanics has ruled out the possibility of a patent.

Reports suggest that the patent examiner found that the gameplay concepts or mechanics that are in Nintendo’s game have already been used in a fan-made game released long ago, and under patent law, it should serve as a roadblock to Nintendo’s patenting of the mechanics for their project.

A setback of this magnitude for a company like Nintendo speaks to how such a ruling might have broader implications for the future of video game patents, as judgments on creative projects might not always see the underlying technology over visible mechanics. While such setbacks are anything but uncommon, it is hard to see how Nintendo will manage to get around without making significant changes.

Nintendo is known for being aggressive with the Pokémon franchise, and it’s not far-fetched to say they might go all out to buy out this patent or take the legal route, as they have against numerous fan projects over the years. However, this case should serve as a classic example of how fan-made content can serve as major roadblocks for development timelines.

Innovation can come from anywhere, and with millions of passionate gamers around, both professional and fan-made projects serve their own purpose in the community. Killing fan-made projects suppresses freedom. On the other hand, a plethora of patents might stop major organizations with resources from developing a game on a large scale.

CS2 Esports World Cup 2026: Teams, Prize Pool, Schedule, and How to Watch

Sonu Banerjee
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CS2 Esports World Cup 2026: Teams, Prize Pool, Schedule, and How to Watch

Counter-Strike 2 returns for its third appearance at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2026, and fans of the competitive shooter from throughout the globe are eagerly looking forward to seeing the best teams collide on the biggest stage.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the EWC is being held outside Saudi Arabia, with the entire festival relocating to Paris as a result of escalating regional conflicts in Riyadh. For CS2 specifically, that means a new venue and a record-setting prize pool alongside some of the best teams that the game has ever seen.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the CS2 Esports World Cup 2026, including all the qualified teams so far, the event’s schedule, prize pool, and where you can watch it live.

CS2 Esports World Cup 2026 Prize Pool

The CS2 EWC 2026 will boast a humongous $2,000,000 USD total prize pool, which is larger than either of Valve’s own CS2 Majors over the year.

Here’s the full prize pool breakdown for the main event:

PlacementPrize Money
1st$600,000
2nd$340,000
3rd$190,000
4th$110,000
5th-8th$60,000 each
9th-16th$35,000 each
17th-24th$20,000 each
25th-32nd$10,000 each

CS2 Esports World Cup 2026 Schedule

CS2 action at the EWC runs across roughly two weeks in August, with open qualifiers on LAN in Paris deciding the final four slots into the 32-team bracket ahead of the main group stage, which is set to start on August 12. The event will culminate with a winner being crowned following the grand final on August 23.

The event will take place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, one of France’s largest exhibition venues and a site that also hosted events during the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

CS2 Esports World Cup 2026 Teams

Spots at CS2 EWC 2026 were awarded through six pathways tied to Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS) and regional competition:

  • VRS Global Rankings – 21 teams
  • VRS Asia Rankings – 2 teams
  • VRS North America Rankings – 2 teams
  • VRS South America Rankings – 2 teams
  • Asian Champions League (ACL) – 1 team
  • EWC Last Chance Qualifiers (LAN, Paris) – 4 teams

28 of the 32 slots were locked in well ahead of the event, with the final four teams all set to be decided through the upcoming open qualifiers.

Here’s the full list of confirmed teams so far for the CS2 EWC 2026:

  • Europe (17 teams): Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, MOUZ, G2 Esports, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Astralis, GamerLegion, NIP, FaZe Clan, Aurora Gaming, 3DMAX, BB Team, FUT Esports, B8, Monte, magic
  • Americas (8 teams): M80, FURIA, Legacy, paiN Gaming, MIBR, 9z Globant, PARIVISION, Wildcard
  • Asia (3 teams): The MongolZ, TYLOO, Lynn Vision Gaming

How to Watch CS2 Esports World Cup 2026

Fans can watch the CS2 Esports World Cup 2026 live event via the official YouTube channel of the EWC.

How to Get David Beckham Skins in Fortnite

Aritra Patra
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How to Get David Beckham Skins in Fortnite

Epic Games has added David Beckham to Fortnite as part of its ongoing football-themed content tied to the FIFA World Cup. The former England captain now has his own set of skins, back blings, pickaxes, and an emote in the game. Here is how you can grab them before they leave the Item Shop.

When Did the David Beckham Skins Release in Fortnite

The David Beckham skins went live in the Fortnite Item Shop on July 17, 2026, at 8 PM ET. The collaboration was revealed earlier the same week. Epic has followed a similar approach with other football-themed drops, including the recent Mongraal collab, by adding multiple outfits tied to one collaboration instead of a single skin.

How to Get the David Beckham Skins in Fortnite

You can get the David Beckham cosmetics by buying them directly from the Item Shop. Follow these steps:

  • Open Fortnite and go to the main lobby.
  • Use the top bar to open the Item Shop.
  • Look for the David Beckham section. Since this is a major collaboration, it should appear near the top of the shop.
  • Select the David Beckham bundle, priced at 2,400 V-Bucks, or pick individual items instead.
  • Check that you have enough V-Bucks in your account.
  • Press and hold the Purchase button to confirm.
  • Head to your locker to find your new David Beckham items.

If you would rather not spend V-Bucks, you can also check Fortnite‘s free skins that are currently available to claim.

All David Beckham Cosmetics and Their Prices

The David Beckham collaboration includes two outfits along with several other items, such as back blings and pickaxes. Here is the full list of cosmetics and their V-Bucks prices:

CosmeticPrice (V-Bucks)
David Beckham bundle (all cosmetics)2,400
David Beckham skin + Beckham’s Number back bling1,500
Club Owner David Beckham Outfit + Club Insignia back bling1,500
Club Insignia back bling500
Beckham’s Number back bling400
Beckham’s Shot emote500
Meteor Baller pickaxe800
Number Seven Scythe pickaxe800

According to the in-game timer, the David Beckham cosmetics will leave the Fortnite Item Shop on July 27, 2026, at 8 PM ET. As with all Item Shop releases, the items are only guaranteed to be available during this window before they rotate out.

How do I get the David Beckham Fortnite skins?

You can get them by purchasing them from the Item Shop.

How much does the David Beckham skin cost?

Each of the two David Beckham skins costs 1,500 V-Bucks individually.

When will the David Beckham skins leave the Item Shop?

They are set to leave the Item Shop on July 27, 2026, at 8 PM ET.

Fortnite Might Give Out a Free Football Toy for the FIFA World Cup Final

BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2: Teams, Schedule, Prizes and Format

Aritra Patra
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BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2: Teams, Schedule, Prizes and Format

BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 kicks off next week as the first major Counter-Strike 2 tournament of the new season. The event brings together 32 teams, a $1.15 million prize pool, and a unique bounty format that rewards teams for taking down bigger opponents. Here is a full breakdown of the teams, schedule, prize structure, talent lineup, and fantasy game.

Teams and Format

A total of 32 teams will compete in BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2. Of these, 28 qualified through the Global VRS rankings as of June 2, while four came in through Wildcard invites.

A few well-known names are missing from the lineup. Natus Vincere, 9z, BetBoom, Legacy, and PARIVISION did not make the list.

The tournament will open online with the first two rounds of a single-elimination bracket. Each round starts with a draft phase, where teams seeded in the bottom half get to pick their opponents from the top half.

Schedule and Opening Matchups

The online stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 runs from July 21 to July 26. Organizers will play four matches per day throughout this stage.

DateTime (IST)Team 1Team 2
21/07/202615:30M80Ninjas in Pyjamas
21/07/202618:00NemesisAstralis
21/07/202620:30Nuclear TigeRESMOUZ
21/07/202623:00AllianceWildcard
22/07/202615:30EYEBALLERSFaZe
22/07/202618:00NemigaG2
22/07/202620:30HOTUGamerLegion
22/07/202623:00100 ThievesFalcons
23/07/202615:30FOKUSAurora
23/07/202618:00SINNERSFUT
23/07/202620:30Gentle MatespaiN
23/07/202623:00OGSpirit
24/07/202614:303DMAXmagic
24/07/202617:00HEROICThe MongolZ
24/07/202619:30LiquidVitality
24/07/202622:00SharksFURIA

Once the online rounds wrap up, the top eight teams get three days to travel to Malta. The LAN stage of the tournament will then run from July 30 to August 2.

Prize Pool and Bounty System

BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 carries a total prize pool of $1.15 million. This splits into $500,000 in direct prize money and $650,000 in club share.

The event uses a bounty format instead of standard prize payouts. Every team that attends gets assigned a bounty value based on its seeding. When a team wins a match, it takes 50% of the defeated opponent’s bounty as cash. The other 50% carries forward and adds to the winning team’s bounty for the next round.

Club share is distributed separately, based on final placement:

  • Places 1 to 8: $40,000 each
  • Places 9 to 16: $26,500 each
  • Places 17 to 32: $7,500 each

BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 opens next week with a stacked 32-team field and a prize structure built around risk and reward. Fans can follow the online stage from July 21 and the Malta LAN finals from July 30.

FACEIT Could Bring Back Half-Time Voice Chat to CS2

Sonu Banerjee
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FACEIT Could Bring Back Half-Time Voice Chat to CS2

According to a recent X post by FACEIT, the prominent third-party matchmaking platform could potentially bring back half-time voice chat to CS2.

As the OGs may remember, the half-time voice chat feature isn’t exactly a new thing in Counter-Strike. It used to be a fan-favorite feature back in the early days of CS:GO, but was later removed from the game.

Needless to say, the half-time voice chat feature in CS:GO led to some hilarious banter and memorable interactions between opposing teams, which is why the community has been constantly demanding its return to the game since it left.

While the return of half-time voice chat to CS2 itself seems unlikely, a recent announcement from FACEIT has asked the community whether the beloved feature should make a comeback on its matchmaking platform.

FACEIT Half-Time Voice Chat Feature Return Date

As mentioned earlier, FACEIT has asked fans to vote whether they want the half-time voice chat feature on its CS2 matchmaking.

Should the community end up voting in favor of this feature’s return, CS2 players could see half-time voice chat between opposing teams in their FACEIT games starting Season 9.

For the uninitiated, FACEIT Season 9 will officially kick off on August 5, 2026.

Whether this feature sticks around long-term will likely depend on how the trial run actually plays out and whether the toxicity concerns associated with this feature resurface.

Dota 2 EWC 2026 Grand Final: Who Will Become Champion in Paris?

Divyesh Moghe
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Dota 2 EWC 2026 Grand Final: Who Will Become Champion in Paris?

The Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2026 Grand Final is set, and Paris is ready for a blockbuster showdown. BetBoom Team will face PARIVISION on July 19 for the championship and a share of the $2 million prize pool. Both teams booked their places in the final on July 18. BetBoom Team produced a convincing 2–0 victory over Vici Gaming in the first semifinal. PARIVISION then defeated Team Yandex 2–1 in the second semifinal to complete the final matchup.

BetBoom Team Reach the Grand Final

BetBoom Team have looked extremely strong throughout the EWC playoffs. Their 2–0 win over Vici Gaming showed their ability to control a series without allowing the opposition to build momentum.

The result also puts BetBoom one best-of-five series away from the EWC trophy. Their consistency will be crucial in the final, where a longer series could test their drafting and adaptation.

PARIVISION Complete the Final Lineup

PARIVISION had a tougher semifinal. Team Yandex took one game, but PARIVISION recovered to win the series 2–1.

The victory continues an impressive playoff run. PARIVISION previously swept Rune Eaters 2–0 in the quarterfinals before eliminating Yandex.

The team will now enter the Grand Final with momentum and confidence. Their ability to adapt during a series could become one of the biggest factors against BetBoom.

Who Will Win the Dota 2 EWC 2026 Final?

On paper, this looks like a closely matched final. BetBoom bring strong recent form and a clean semifinal victory, while PARIVISION have shown resilience by surviving a competitive series against Yandex.

The Grand Final will be played as a best-of-five, meaning the champion must win three games. That format gives both teams plenty of room to adapt after each game.

With two of the tournament’s strongest remaining teams meeting in Paris, the Dota 2 EWC 2026 champion will be decided on July 19.

For now, one question remains: will BetBoom Team lift the trophy, or will PARIVISION finish their run as champions?

Bethesda Confirms New Obsidian Fallout Game, Fallout 5 in Preproduction

Aritra Patra
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Bethesda Confirms New Obsidian Fallout Game, Fallout 5 in Preproduction

Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that it is working on a new Fallout project with Obsidian Entertainment. The studio also gave its first official update on Fallout 5, saying the game is currently in preproduction.

The news came in a statement titled “A Note From Bethesda Game Studios,” posted on Bethesda’s website. It covers the status of Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls VI, and a new partnership with Obsidian on a separate Fallout title.

Obsidian Returns to the Fallout Series

Bethesda confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas, is working with Bethesda Game Studios on a new Fallout project.

The wasteland continues to expand as we team up once again with our longtime friends at Obsidian Entertainment. We’re happy to confirm they’re working with us on a new Fallout project. We’ll have more to share in the future.

Bethesda Game Studios

No release window, title, or further detail was given.

This marks Obsidian’s first confirmed return to the Fallout series since Fallout: New Vegas, which released 16 years ago. Both Bethesda and Obsidian are owned by Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios.

Bethesda and Obsidian were both affected by recent layoffs across Microsoft‘s gaming division. The exact number of employees impacted at each studio has not been confirmed.

Fallout 5 Is in Preproduction

Bethesda also addressed Fallout 5 directly. The statement said: “Fallout 5 is currently in preproduction. The Elder Scrolls VI is our primary development focus today, with the majority of our team currently working on the next chapter of the franchise.”

Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls VI are both being built on Creation Engine 3, a shared technology platform Bethesda has developed since Starfield’s launch. According to the studio, this allows its teams to work on multiple projects at once using shared tools, rendering, and systems.

Elder Scrolls VI Update

Bethesda gave an update on The Elder Scrolls VI as well, noting that Skyrim has sold more than 65 million copies and that players are still playing it 15 years after release. The statement read: “We know it’s been a very long wait for the sequel. The next chapter is on the way. We’re where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing it every day.”

The note also confirmed a change in how Bethesda’s teams are structured. ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, will now partner directly with Bethesda Game Studios on The Elder Scrolls franchise. ZeniMax will continue developing The Elder Scrolls Online, which recently launched its Season One: Return of the Thieves Guild content.

Bethesda said the goal of aligning the teams more closely is to build a stronger foundation for the franchise going forward.

Counter-Strike 2 Opens New ‘Call II Arms-ory’ Workshop Event, Invites Community Creations

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Counter-Strike 2 Opens New ‘Call II Arms-ory’ Workshop Event, Invites Community Creations

Valve has officially announced the launch of the Counter-Strike 2 Community Workshop initiative, Call II Arms-ory, allowing independent content creators to have their work featured in the CS2 ecosystem. Following the success of the past few cosmetic releases from the previous Call II Arms-ory event, Valve is opening up avenues for more creators to have their art in the game.

The latest Workshop will take submissions for one new weapon collection and two new sticker collections. Community Creators will be invited to create weapon skins based on a fairy tale theme, and stickers will be accepted under the Cryptids and Pop Art categories. Creators will be expected to create weapon skins and stickers based on the category they are interested in and submit accordingly.

Creators will be mandatorily required to use the Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tool and select the appropriate submission category when sending their work for consideration. Valve has further confirmed that creators must agree to the latest Counter-Strike 2 Supplemental Terms if they want to participate in the event.

The announcement comes in light of the freshly released community-created weapon skins and stickers from the previous Call to Arms-ory Workshop. Driven once again by recent success, Valve has continued to build strong foundations for a developer-creator relationship, and judging by its success, it looks like this method of creating new skins is here to stay.

FAQs

1. What is the Counter-Strike 2 Call II Arms-ory?
It is a Workshop held by Valve to let creators have their skins featured in the game through open submissions.

2. What weapon collection is Valve requesting?
The new weapon collection will be released with the “Fairy Tale” Theme.

3. What sticker themes are being accepted?
The two categories for sticker collection are Cryptids and Pop Art.

4. How can creators submit their designs?
Submissions must be made using the Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tool.

5. Do creators need to agree to any terms?
Yes. Participants are required to accept the Counter-Strike 2 Supplemental Terms.

6. Why was this new call announced?
It follows the successful release of the previous Call to Arms-ory event, whose skins were released in the game.

7. Are there submission deadlines?
Valve has not announced a submission deadline in the announcement.

What is the Counter-Strike 2 Call II Arms-ory?

It is a Workshop held by Valve to let creators have their skins featured in the game through open submissions.

What weapon collection is Valve requesting?

The new weapon collection will be released with the “Fairy Tale” Theme.

What sticker themes are being accepted?

The two categories for sticker collection are Cryptids and Pop Art.

How can creators submit their designs?

Submissions must be made using the Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tool.

Do creators need to agree to any terms?

Yes. Participants are required to accept the Counter-Strike 2 Supplemental Terms.

Why was this new call announced?

It follows the successful release of the previous Call to Arms-ory event, whose skins were released in the game.

Are there submission deadlines?

Valve has not announced a submission deadline in the announcement.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2: Dates, Teams, Format, Prize Pool, and More

Sonu Banerjee
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PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2: Dates, Teams, Format, Prize Pool, and More

PGL has confirmed the details for its upcoming Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 event, bringing in sixteen of the finest teams from across the world to compete for crucial VRS points alongside a gigantic prize pool. With qualifications for the Singapore Major potentially on the line, PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 is certain to be one of the more interesting CS2 events of the year.

In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about the PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 tournament, including its dates, participating teams, format, prize pool, and more.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 Dates

PGL has confirmed that the Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 event will kick off on October 24, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania. The event will span eight days before a winner gets crowned on October 31.

Note that the event concludes just days before the November 2 VRS invite cutoff for the PGL Singapore Major, so expect to see some high-stakes action from the teams.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 Prize Pool

The PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 tournament will carry a total prize pool of $1,250,000 USD, split evenly between competitors and their organizations. $625,000 will go directly to the players, while the other $625,000 will get allocated to the clubs fielding them.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 Teams

The following CS2 teams have accepted invites to PGL Bucharest Masters 2026, as confirmed by the tournament organizers:

  • Vitality
  • Spirit 
  • FURIA
  • Natus Vincere
  • 9z
  • Aurora
  • G2
  • BetBoom
  • MOUZ
  • Legacy
  • FUT
  • The MongolZ

The remaining four slots will be filled by winners of closed regional qualifiers held across Europe, South America, North America, and Asia in the second week of September.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 Format

The PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 event will see a Swiss-format group stage, with all 16 teams competing for one of 8 playoff spots. The qualifying teams will then head to a single-elimination playoff bracket at PGL Studios, culminating in a best-of-five grand final to crown the champion.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 Event: All Confirmed Teams

Sonu Banerjee
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PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2 Event: All Confirmed Teams

PGL has officially confirmed the full list of invited teams heading to Bucharest for the upcoming PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 Counter-Strike 2 event.

For the uninitiated, the upcoming tournament will see 16 elite teams battling it out on LAN in Bucharest, Romania, across 8 days of intense, competitive CS. Running from October 24-31, PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 will feature a whopping $1,250,000 USD prize pool split evenly between players and organizations.

In this article, we’ll go through the full list of confirmed teams so far for PGL Bucharest Masters 2026.

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 CS2: All Invited Teams

Based on the July 6 Valve Ranking (VRS), PGL handed out 12 direct invites for Bucharest Masters 2026:

  • Vitality (#2)
  • Spirit (#3)
  • FURIA (#4)
  • Natus Vincere (#5)
  • 9z (#6)
  • Aurora (#7)
  • G2 (#8)
  • BetBoom (#9)
  • MOUZ (#10)
  • Legacy (#11)
  • FUT (#12)
  • The MongolZ (#16)

Note that Team Falcons, the current world #1 team in competitive CS2 and reigning IEM Cologne Major 2026 champions, turned down an invite possibly due to a packed fall schedule. As a result, The MongolZ were able to claim the 12th spot.

The remaining four spots for the event will be decided by regional closed qualifiers running in the second week of September, covering:

  • Europe
  • South America
  • North America
  • Asia

PGL Bucharest Masters 2026 will wrap up just before the November 2 VRS cutoff for the PGL Singapore Major, so fans can expect to see some high-stakes gameplay over the course of the event.

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