Saturday, June 20, 2026
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Riot Games Just Teased a New Valorant Map: Everything We Know So Far

With almost a year passing since Valorant’s last map addition, Riot Games has finally broken the silence on the next map coming to the shooter.

The devs behind the popular competitive FPS have officially teased a new Valorant map that’s expected to hit the live servers shortly after the conclusion of Masters London 2026.

While details surrounding the new map are still scarce, the teaser offers players an early glimpse of what to expect from the latest entry in Valorant’s map pool.

In the short, two-second teaser that was posted on the official Valorant social media handles, fans were able to see what’s believed to be a part of the new map.

According to avid fans, this new map could be related to the Sentinel Sage due to the Chinese architecture that’s shown in the short clip. The setting appears to draw from Sage’s own backstory, placing the map at the Chinese monastery where the agent is said to have trained.  Fans may also recognize this location from her level 9 Gear card.

The last new map added to Valorant was Corrode, which arrived back in June 2025. It’s been nearly a year since then, and fans across social media forums have been vocal about wanting a fresh map in the pool.

The new Valorant map will be officially revealed during the upcoming Valorant Masters London 2026 event, just ahead of the grand finals on June 21.

While the release date of the map has not been confirmed either, it’s safe to expect the new map to land alongside the Season 2026 Act 4 release on June 24, 2026.

How to Get 007 First Light NVIDIA GeForce Reward

007 First Light launched on May 27, 2026, and IO Interactive has set up several ways for players to grab free outfits and gadget skins without spending extra money.

Here is a full breakdown of how to claim the NVIDIA GeForce Reward.

How to Get the 007 First Light NVIDIA GeForce Reward

NVIDIA GeForce is offering the Daring Elite outfit as a free reward for players who have the NVIDIA app installed. You need both an NVIDIA account and an IOI account to redeem it.

Follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Open the NVIDIA app and go to the Redeem section.
  • Click the Redeem button next to the 007 First Light reward. This will open a browser window.
  • Sign in and click “Redeem code” to get your redemption key.
  • Copy the key.
  • Go to the IOI account settings page at account.ioi.dk/overview.
  • Paste the code into the redemption box and click “Redeem code.”
  • The Daring Elite outfit will unlock in your game automatically.

If you still have any queries regarding the redemption process, let us know in the comments below.

007 First Light is a narrative action game developed and published by IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman series. The game is a James Bond origin story, following a younger version of the character before he earns his 00 status. It launched on May 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is due later in summer 2026.

How to Purchase Stickers Using Cologne 2026 Tokens in CS2

With IEM Cologne 2026 just a week away, Valve has made major changes to the usual Counter-Strike Major shenanigans, with one of them being a massive shift in how players acquire Major stickers. It was earlier a game of chance, but the freshly minted token-based system has completely replaced the old capsule model, which removes the luck factor.

Stickers are not just in-game cosmetics, but they hold significance as they can become valuable assets for a plethora of reasons, as we have come to see from the past. Although some of it is still retained with the new system, we miss out on the joy of opening capsules. Given the crackdown on the gambling nature of said capsules, it is assumed that Valve’s new system ensures the game stays compliant with laws across several regions globally.

How to Purchase Stickers

If you are looking to purchase the Cologne 2026 stickers using tokens, then the steps are quite simple:

  • Launch Counter-Strike 2 and open the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub from the main menu.
  • Enter the “Major Tournament Items” or Sticker Shop section to browse available stickers.
  • Choose the sticker you want, including team logos, player autographs, Paper, Holo, Foil, or Gold variants.
  • Check the sticker’s token price, as prices change dynamically based on player demand.
  • Add the selected stickers to your cart and review the total Cologne 2026 Token cost.
  • Purchase additional tokens through Steam if your balance is insufficient.
  • Complete the checkout process to instantly receive the stickers in your CS2 inventory.
  • Earn extra Cologne 2026 Tokens through Viewer Pass rewards, Pick’Em challenges, and event coin upgrades.

To further remove the gambling nature and uncertainties surrounding this token, Valve has brought a buyer protection system. If a sticker price drops by more than 25 tokens within 24 hours of the purchase, then players will receive a token as a refund.

While many are sad that the developers have taken away the old unboxing system, on the other hand, this allows you the chance to grab a sticker of your choice. Maybe you might want one of your favourite players, or you might be looking to get one as an investment, and in both cases, the new system gives you the added flexibility.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon Pokopia Bundle Releasing in Europe This June

Nintendo is bringing a Switch 2 bundle with Pokemon Pokopia to Europe. The package is set to arrive in June 2026, following similar launches already confirmed for other regions.

What the Bundle Includes

The Europe bundle is expected to arrive in June, and it comes with one notable visual difference: the left side of the box features Ditto, the Pokemon that players control in Pokopia.

The bundle contains a standard Nintendo Switch 2 console and a digital download code for Pokemon Pokopia. The hardware inside is the standard model, with no custom console shell.

Price and Timing

The suggested retail price for the European bundle is €509. That price applies until September 1, 2026, when a price increase for the console is set to take effect. Retailers may offer discounted rates that bring the price closer to €455, though prices are expected to go up later in the year.

How Pokopia Got Its Own Bundle

Pokopia is only the third game to receive its own Switch 2 bundle. The key difference from the first two is timing. Both the Mario Kart World and Pokemon Legends: Z-A bundles launched alongside their respective games, while the Pokopia bundle arrives a full three months after the game’s March 5, 2026, release.

When Pokopia launched in March, it sold 2.2 million units globally in just its first four days.

Already Live in Other Regions

Nintendo first announced the Switch 2 Pokopia bundle for Australia and New Zealand, with availability confirmed from June 5, 2026. The bundle includes the Switch 2 system and a full game download. It is available at select retailers and through the My Nintendo Store.

In the US, Nintendo went a different route. You can choose your favorite Nintendo Switch 2 Game Bundle that lets you pick from Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokemon Pokopia, with a suggested retail price of $499.99.

About Pokemon Pokopia

Pokemon Pokopia is a life-simulation spin-off where players control a Ditto in human form. The goal is to collect resources, craft furniture, grow vegetables, build homes, and attract Pokemon to a blank land. The game launched on March 5, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

India Rising Road to EWC: Vidit Gujrathi, Benjamin Bok Reach Mumbai LAN Finals

Following a fierce closed playoff stage that included some of the biggest names in competitive chess, Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok and Indian Grandmaster and double Olympiad Gold medallist Vidit Gujrathi qualified for the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals in Mumbai. The player who advances to the final round of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris will be determined by the results of the Mumbai LAN Finals.

Top Indian and international Grandmasters who advanced through the earlier Swiss-style qualifiers competed in a knockout format during the playoffs, which were hosted on Chess.com and broadcast live on JioBLAST and Chess.com channels.

The Asian Games silver medalist, Gujrathi, got his spot in the LAN finals. He did this by beating an Indian Grandmaster, M Pranesh, in the quarterfinals. Then he beat Raunak Sadhwani in the semifinals.

On the side, Benjamin Bok moved forward. He beat Karthikeyan Murali and the World No. 11 Arjun Erigaisi. This was a close competition. Gujrathi is now in the LAN finals. So is Benjamin Bok.

The Swiss stage was incredibly demanding because every round felt like a battle against world-class opposition. Formats like these really test your consistency, preparation and mental resilience over a sustained period. Qualifying for the LAN Finals from such a strong field makes this especially rewarding, and as a Mumbai player, I’m especially excited to compete in front of a home crowd. What also makes India Rising exciting is that it is creating meaningful global pathways for Indian chess players by connecting competitive chess with the rapidly growing esports ecosystem

Vidit Gujrathi

India Rising: Road to EWC is something that JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation started to help Indian chess and esports players compete with the rest of the world in the Esports World Cup.

The Road to EWC had playoffs that came after a qualifying stage with nine rounds. This stage was like a tournament where the best Indian chess players competed against each other.

It had a lot of players like Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Raunak Sadhwani, Karthikeyan Murali, Divya Deshmukh, V Pranav, M Pranesh, Pranav Anand, and Aravindh Chithambaram.

Aravindh Chithambaram is actually the Indian chess player to make it to the Esports World Cup 2026. The Road to EWC is a deal for Indian chess and esports players because it helps them get to the Esports World Cup.

The level of competition throughout the India Rising: Road to EWC qualifiers and playoffs reflects both the strength of Indian chess and the growing crossover between chess and the esports ecosystem. Bringing together Tier 1 talent alongside emerging grassroots on one unified platform, India Rising:Road to EWC stays true to the JioBLAST and EWC’s shared ethos of creating inclusive, long-term pathways for players and fans to rise, compete, and be recognized.

Charlie Cowdrey, CEO, JioBLAST

The India Rising LAN Finals are happening in Mumbai. This event will decide which player will go to the stage of the Esports World Cup 2026. The Esports World Cup 2026 is taking place in Paris. At the Esports World Cup 2026, in Paris, players will compete against each other. They will try to get a part of the prize money of one million five hundred thousand dollars.

PlayStation Plus June 2026 Free Games Announced

Sony has confirmed the PlayStation Plus free games for June 2026. All PlayStation Plus members get three titles: Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. They go live on June 2 and stay available until July 6.

EA Sports FC 26, which was part of the May lineup, also gets a short extension. It remains claimable as a PS Plus Monthly Game through June 16.

When Can You Claim the June PS Plus Games?

The three new titles go live on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Members have until Monday, July 6, to add them to their library. EA Sports FC 26 has a separate deadline: June 16.

Members also have until June 2 to grab May’s remaining titles, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Nine Sols, before they leave the monthly lineup.

Grounded Fully Yoked Edition (PS5, PS4)

Grounded is a survival game where players are shrunk down to the size of an ant and must navigate a backyard full of creatures. You gather resources, build shelter, and craft weapons and armour. The game supports up to four players in online co-op. There is also a solo mode. As players progress, the story reveals what caused the miniaturization and how to reverse it.

This is the Fully Yoked Edition, which is the complete version of the game.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 (PS5, PS4)

This is a platform fighter featuring Nickelodeon characters. The roster includes SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Squidward Tentacles, and Jimmy Neutron, among others. Each fighter has a unique move set and a powerful Super ability. The game has online play, local multiplayer, and a solo roguelike campaign mode.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (PS5)

Darktide is a four-player co-op shooter set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players fight through hordes of enemies to reclaim the city of Tertium. The game comes from Fatshark, the studio behind Vermintide 2, and carries over that game’s melee combat while adding gunplay. Combat mixes ranged weapons like the lasgun with melee options like the chainsword.

This title is PS5 only and does not have a PS4 version.

EA Sports FC 26 Extended (PS5, PS4)

EA Sports FC 26 was announced as part of the May PS Plus lineup and remains available into June. The June 16 deadline gives members extra time to claim it.

Starting June 4, an in-game update called The World’s Game adds a 48-team international tournament mode, new stadiums, Manager Live Challenges with an international theme, and new international Icons and Heroes in Player Career. PS Plus members also receive a PS Plus Icons Pack as a bonus add-on during the game’s PS Plus residency.

Two games from the May PS Plus lineup are leaving soon. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Nine Sols both exit the monthly library on June 2. Members who want to keep them must add them to their library before that date.

Marvel Rivals Permabans Nearly 500 Cheaters, Claims “Zero Tolerance on Cheats”

NetEase has deployed a massive ban wave for Marvel Rivals, purging a total of 488 accounts within the span of a single day.

As confirmed by the company, these permabans have been issued as a result of “unauthorized third-party enhancements,” which is code for cheating software.

NetEase has also revealed the full list of players who have been caught in the ban wave and, as a result, have been permanently banned from the game. The company reassured players that anyone who has been unjustly banned can reach out to Customer Support to be unbanned.

Alongside announcing the ban wave, NetEase also took the opportunity to shut down rumors claiming the anti-cheat can be bypassed through launch options.

“Rumors circulating online claiming that the anti-cheat system can be bypassed using launch parameters are completely false,” the Marvel Rivals devs said in a statement. “Our anti-cheat launches concurrently with the game client and cannot be disabled independently. The parameter in question merely hides the pop-up window; it does not deactivate the anti-cheat software in any capacity.”

According to the Marvel Rivals dev team, cheating spiked noticeably following the May 21 patch. Some offenders managed to climb as high as Celestial and even One Above All, but their runs were short-lived, and they were permanently banned within a week of the update.

How to Convert Any Weapon Into an IEM Cologne 2026 Souvenir in CS2

Valve has released a revamped souvenir system in Counter-Strike 2 ahead of the upcoming highly anticipated IEM Cologne 2026 Major, and it has met with mixed reactions from the community. Moving away from the random souvenir packages, players will be given the option to convert almost any weapon into an IEM Cologne 2026 souvenir weapon directly through the new Major Hub.

The freshly minted Souvenir-O-Matic system gives players control over souvenir crafting, along with the added flexibility of crafting gold tournament stickers. Having gained traction very quickly, this update has become a heavily debated topic because it harms the exclusivity and takes away the luck factor that makes said items special.

How to Create an IEM Cologne 2026 Souvenir Weapon

To convert a weapon into a Cologne 2026 souvenir skin, follow these steps:

  • Open the new IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub in CS2.
  • Select any eligible normal-quality or souvenir-quality weapon from your inventory.
  • Choose a completed IEM Cologne 2026 match.
  • Pick a player from that match whose autograph you want applied.
  • Confirm the souvenir conversion and spend the required Cologne 2026 tokens.
  • Your weapon will return with official gold team stickers, autograph stickers, and a map sticker attached.

Valve has confirmed that the new system will not have an impact on the crafted cosmetics, as the prices will be dynamic as usual, as per the flow of the market, meaning the items that are in demand will gradually appreciate, thereby keeping the investment factor intact.

Why the New CS2 Souvenir System Matters

Moving away from the traditional souvenir package system entirely, and switching to a more crafting-oriented system, removes the luck factor and, at the same time, makes it more predictable and less exciting than before. Only time can tell how this impacts the CS2 market, but as this change comes with the new Major, it will be interesting to see how this system unfolds.

Valorant 12.10 Update: Masters London Pick’Ems, Check Your Friends’ Replays, and More

The Valorant 12.10 update is here, and while it doesn’t bring any game-changing updates to the shooter, it does introduce some nice quality-of-life improvements alongside kicking off the Pick’Ems for Masters London 2026.

Check Your Friends’ Replays

The latest Valorant patch finally adds one of the most heavily requested features to the game: Replay Friend Sharing. Following the update, players will be able to access and watch their friends’ replays for all eligible modes (Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay, Premier, and even Custom) directly from their Career page. 

Note that replays for Custom games will only be available if the lobby owner enables recording in the Custom options menu before the game starts.

Valorant Masters London 2026 Pick’Ems

With Riot officially kicking off the Pick’Ems for Valorant Masters London 2026, players will be able to lock in their picks for the Swiss Stage starting May 27 in hopes of getting some exclusive rewards.

All participants will get a free title just for playing the Pick’Ems, with additional prizes being awarded based on how you fare against other players.

Valorant 12.10 Patch Notes

Alongside the aforementioned changes, Valorant 12.10 also brings with it changes to Skirmish Ascension, lots of bug fixes, and more.
Check out the detailed patch notes for the Valorant 12.10 update below:

ALL PLATFORMS

GENERAL UPDATES

  • Replay Friend Sharing: You can now access and watch your friends’ replays for all eligible modes (Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay, Premier, Custom) directly from their Career page.
    • Replays for Custom games are only available when the lobby owner enables recording in the Custom options menu before the game starts. Recording must be enabled again for each new game.

ESPORTS FEATURES

  • Masters London Pick’Ems
    • Pick’Ems are back for Masters London! Starting May 27 (PT), you can make your picks for the Swiss Stage in-client and on the web.
    • For the Swiss Stage, you’ll be tasked with trying to predict who will advance from the 8-team Swiss Groups. For extra bonus points, try to predict a team who will make it out flawlessly with a 2-0 record.
    • You can earn an exclusive title just for playing, but win additional prizes depending on how you fare against other players.

MODES UPDATES

  • SKIRMISH: ASCENSION – All selectable Agents are available for both 1v1 and 2v2 modes even if you do not have them unlocked
  • NEW SKIRMISH MAPS
    • Added Skirmish Maps D and E
      • Available in all queues and customs.
      • Both feature ramps for more peek angle variety
Skirmish D
Skirmish E

BUG FIXES

  • Agents
    • Miks
      • Fixed a bug where Miks’s M-Pulse healing would persist briefly on enemies after they exit its range.
      • Fixed a bug where Miks’s M-Pulse could cancel other ability and weapon equip animations
      • Fixed a bug where spamming alt-fire with Miks’s M-Pulse could cause it to be used in the wrong form.
    • Harbor
      • Fixed a bug where Harbor’s Reckoning could disappear early if the player spammed the cast button
  • Gameplay
    • Fixed a bug that allowed players to inadvertently kill enemies from spawn during the buy phase. This fix was rolled out with a patch redeploy during 12.09.
  • Modes
    • Skirmish 2v2: Fixed a bug where the timer was stuck at 0.5 seconds in overtime
  • Store
    • Fixed an issue where bundle details were not displayed on the confirmation page when purchasing VCT bundles.

PC ONLY

PREMIER UPDATES

  • V26A3 Contender and Invite Division schedule changes:
    • Playoffs now take place across multiple days.
      • The first round of playoffs will be on June 20
      • Teams that advance from the first round return on June 21 for their next matchup
      • Make sure to check the schedule in client for round start times for your zone!

CONSOLE ONLY

BUG FIXES

  • Store
    • Fixed a clipping issue when confirming a gun buddy purchase from the battlepass.

EA FC 26 World Cup Mode Release Date Confirmed

EA Sports has confirmed the release date for the World Cup update coming to EA FC 26. The mode, titled The World’s Game, will go live on June 4, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.

The confirmation came from an unlikely place. PlayStation’s official blog post for the Days of Play 2026 event included a note about EA FC 26 content for June. Tucked into the PlayStation Plus games lineup section, the blog confirmed: “Available in-game from June 4, The World’s Game update introduces a brand-new international tournament mode with 48 national teams and new authentic stadiums to play in.”

No FIFA License, But a Full Tournament Mode

EA Sports does not hold an official license for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So The World’s Game is EA’s own version of the tournament, separate from FIFA’s branding. Since EA couldn’t get the FIFA licensing, it won’t be an official World Cup game mode. Instead, expect a generic international tournament with the same format and teams as the official summer tournament.

That said, the update still brings a lot. 48 national teams will be playable in the new update, a 19-team boost from the currently available 29.

What’s Included in The World’s Game Update

The update introduces a brand new international tournament mode with 48 national teams and new authentic stadiums to play in. Players can also take on international-themed Manager Live Challenges and step into Player Career with new international ICONs and Heroes.

National teams will be playable across multiple modes, including quick matches with friends, online matches, and Ultimate Team.

The update also adds new stadiums, official Adidas match balls, and legacy faces for dozens of players. Brazil has already been confirmed as one of the teams joining the game with the update, with more announcements expected before June 4.

FC Mobile Gets It First

The World’s Game update for FC Mobile was confirmed to launch on May 27. The mode on mobile features more than 50 authentic national teams and includes the World’s Game Tournament, EA’s own version of the World Cup. All national teams will be playable in Quick Match with friends, online matches against other players, and Ultimate Team mode.

The console release follows on June 4, giving players a full week before the real tournament starts.

EA FC 26 Available Free on PlayStation Plus Through June 16

EA Sports FC 26 will remain available as a PlayStation Plus Monthly Game through June 16. That means PS Plus subscribers who haven’t tried the game yet can pick it up for free and have The World’s Game update ready to go as soon as it drops.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.