Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Home Blog Page 130

CS2 Hits Record-High Concurrent Player Average in March 2025

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
CS2 Hits Record-High Concurrent Player Average in March 2025

While many believe Counter-Strike is losing popularity with the rise of competitive first-person shooters like Valorant, the statistics from March 2025 would have you believe otherwise. Without any significant update in the game or esports landscape, CS2 recorded its all-time concurrent player average on March 15, 2025.

CS2 was a disaster when it launched, but a series of updates has made the game acceptable, but the community still argues that CS:GO was much better and smoother. The minor visual improvements of CS2 don’t make up for the loss of performance. Despite so many complaints around the game, the player count has been on the rise, and in March 2025, it hit an all-time high.

March of 2025 saw a concurrent all-time high of “1,824,989” active players for our favorite first-person shooter. The rise in popularity of Premiere has largely contributed to this feat, but while many argue that the game is dying, fans of the game can now back their sentiments with proper statistics.

Reaching an all-time high is a significant achievement for the community and the developers, but with the persistent cheating problem, it will be difficult to maintain this growth. Long-term players have moved away to the likes of Faceit, ESEA, and Premiere mostly house the casual players, but if the cheating problem continues to grow, that day isn’t far when players quit the game out of frustration.

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass April 2025 Wave 1 Lineup Revealed

Aritra Patra
-
0
Microsoft Xbox Game Pass April 2025 Wave 1 Lineup Revealed

With the progression of April 2025, Xbox Game Pass members can look forward to a bunch of games with the Wave 1 lineup of April 2025. This collection is a mix of game genres from action-adventure and real-time tactics to solving puzzles and gameplay rhythm.

Xbox Game Pass is a Microsoft-owned subscription gaming service that provides gamers with access to a huge game library for the Xbox console, PC, and cloud streaming. It is called the “Netflix of gaming” because it is a huge repository of games subscribers can download and play as long as they pay for their membership.

Look closely at this list of offerings that will start showing up later this month:​

Wargroove 2 (April 3)

Wargroove 2 is a turn-based tactics game by Robotality and Chucklefish, being a sequel to the first Wargroove. It came out on October 5, 2023, for Nintendo Switch and Windows, followed by September 19, 2024, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The game revisits the strategic, grid-based fighting of old classics such as Advance Wars. Based in the world of Aurania, players control different factions and their respective commanders, each with special powers called “Grooves.”

Still Wakes the Deep (April 3)

“Still Wakes the Deep” is a psychological horror game developed by The Chinese Room. The game was released in June 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. The game is set in December 1975 and centers around Cameron “Caz” McLeary, an electrician working on the Beira D oil rig in the North Sea. Following a disastrous drilling mishap, Caz has to make his way through the decaying rig, avoid demonic creatures, and endure unforgiving weather conditions. The game is focused on stealth and environmental puzzle-solving, as Caz is not armed and has to use his IQ to survive.

All You Need is Help (April 3)

“All You Need is Help” is a puzzle-adventure game where players are invited to help different characters overcome challenges by using their special skills. The game takes place in a colorful, hand-drawn universe and focuses on empathy and cooperation, asking players to use creative thinking to unravel complex puzzles. New characters with different abilities are presented at each level, so players need to plan ahead and merge these skills in the best possible way to advance.

Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (April 3)

Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition is an award-winning looter-shooter game developed by Gearbox Software. This complete package comes with the base game and all six content add-ons. The ultimate edition expands the game’s universe with new stories, missions, and challenges.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition (April 8)

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition is a definitive edition of Blizzard Entertainment’s action RPG, Diablo III, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. This version contains the core Diablo III game and the Reaper of Souls expansion, adding the eerie Act V storyline in which players face Malthael, the Angel of Death.

South of Midnight (April 8)

Created by Compulsion Games, South of Midnight is an action-adventure game that transports players to the rich lore of Southern legend. Players will venture into a world of mystical creatures and delve into a tale full of mystery and magic. Interestingly, the pre-order version of the premium edition allows gamers to play five days ahead, beginning April 3.

Commandos: Origins (April 9)

Commandos: Origins is the comeback of the legendary real-time tactics series. Taking place during World War II, the game features more than ten missions and six playable characters with special skills. Players can play both online and split-screen co-op, planning to achieve intricate objectives.

Blue Prince (April 10)

Blue Prince is a puzzle adventure game with a distinctive setting in the mysterious walls of an ever-changing mansion. The player has to navigate through constantly changing corridors and rooms, solving puzzles to find out the secrets of the mansion and find the elusive Room 46.

Hunt: Showdown 1896 (April 15)

Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game by Crytek, combining PvP and PvE in a horror-themed, match-based gameplay. It takes place in 1896, where players take on the roles of Hunters who must kill monstrous beasts and other Hunters to earn bounties. The game adds the Mammon’s Gulch map, located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with mountain scenery, mines, and ghost towns, providing new tactical gameplay opportunities.

A total of 9 games are coming to Xbox Game Pass this month. Which of the above-mentioned games are you excited about? Let us know in the comments.

How to Get Smite Knife Gun Buddies in Valorant?

Aritra Patra
-
0
How to Get Smite Knife Gun Buddies in Valorant?

Riot Games has launched a unique chance for Valorant players to get two exclusive Smite Knife Gun Buddies for free without using any Valorant Points (VP). These gun buddies, which come in regular blue and a unique golden version, are simple to get if you qualify.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting these free collectibles.

How to Get the Standard Smite Knife Gun Buddy

Standard Smite Knife Gun Buddy

The default blue Smite Knife Gun Buddy is a free login reward for everyone. You can claim it by logging into Valorant between April 1 and April 14, 2025. Log in to the game within this timeframe, and Riot Games will automatically add the buddy to your inventory. No further actions, quests, or buying needed. You just have to log in and get your free prize!

How to Unlock the Gold Smite Knife Gun Buddy

Smite Knife Gun Buddies in Valorant
Gold Smite Knife Gun Buddies in Valorant

The golden Smite Knife Gun Buddy has an additional prerequisite. You must have at least one of the Smite weapons, either the original package or the updated Smite 2.0 version, in your inventory to be eligible. If you already have a Smite weapon in your inventory, you will be given the golden gun buddy automatically. Make sure that you have the qualifying weapon before April 23, 2025, to be able to claim this special cosmetic.

The Smite series was initially released in September 2020 with a shocking blue lightning pattern. It gained instant popularity because of its unique appearance and affordable price. The series offers skins for the Classic, Judge, Phantom, Odin, and a melee weapon. Smite Knife, the melee weapon from this pack, originally retailed for 1,750 VP, whereas single weapons cost 875 VP each. The entire bundle is priced at 3,500 VP.

In 2025, Riot Games launched Smite 2.0, which included a redesigned look, a more realistic melee weapon, and new features. Ironically, there have been observations that Smite skins sometimes turn golden in-game, which has led to speculations about concealed effects.

To make sure that you don’t miss out on these free gun buddies, just follow these basic steps:

  • Play Valorant between April 1 and April 14, 2025: This ensures the standard blue Smite Knife Gun Buddy.
  • Have a Smite weapon in your collection before April 23, 2025: If you possess any Smite collection skin, you will also get the golden one.

After being eligible, the Smite Knife Gun Buddies should pop up in your collection automatically.

While the standard one looks cool, the gold buddy seems appealing. Do you already have a Smite skin, or are you thinking about getting one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Valorant Episode 10 Act 3 Map Pool Revealed: Fracture Removed, Sunset Returns

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
Valorant Episode 10 Act 3 Map Pool Revealed: Fracture Removed, Sunset Returns

With only a few weeks remaining till the arrival of Valorant Episode 10 Act 3, Riot Games has officially revealed the competitive map pool for the upcoming patch.

As confirmed by the developers via a post on the Valorant X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sunset is set to make its return in the next update, replacing Fracture in the active map rotation.

For the uninitiated, Sunset was removed from the Valorant map pool alongside Ascent in January 2025 with the game’s Episode 10 update. Fracture had made its return on the same date.

With this change, the competitive map pool of Valorant in Episode 10 Act 3 will include the following maps:

  • Abyss
  • Icebox
  • Haven
  • Lotus
  • Pearl
  • Split
  • Sunset

Note that this map pool is only effective for Competitive and Deathmatch modes. Players queuing in the various other game modes in Valorant, including Unrated and Swiftplay, will be able to enjoy every map in the game as usual.

When Does Valorant Episode 10 Act 3 Go Live?

As mentioned earlier, the new competitive map rotation for Valorant will go live alongside the Episode 10 Act 3 update.

According to an official announcement, the Valorant Episode 10 Act 3 update will hit the live servers on April 29, 2025. Fans can expect a few hours of server downtime on patch day as the devs get ready to ship out the new update.

BGIS 2025 Semifinals Week 2: Teams, Groups, Schedule, Format, and How to Watch Live

Divyesh Moghe
-
0
BGIS 2025 Semifinals Week 2: Teams, Groups, Schedule, Format, and How to Watch Live

The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2025 has reached its thrilling Semifinals Week 2, where 24 teams battle for the remaining 8 spots in the Grand Finals. With high stakes and intense competition, this stage promises to deliver edge-of-the-seat action. Below, we break down everything you need to know: qualified teams, group divisions, match format, schedule, and streaming details.

BGIS 2025 Semifinals Week 2: Overview

  • Dates: April 3–6, 2025.
  • Teams: 24 squads from Semifinals Week 1 (ranked 9th–32nd) .
  • Format: Round-robin matches across 3 groups, with each team playing 16 matches.
  • Prize: Top 8 teams advance to the Grand Finals (April 25–27); others are eliminated.

Teams and Groups

The 24 teams are divided into Group A, B, and C. Here’s the full list:

Group A

  • Orangutan Gaming
  • Hail Inferno Squad
  • Vasista Esports
  • Bot Army Esports
  • TSTYL x TWOB
  • Diesel Esports
  • Revenant XSpark
  • Altitude .

Group B

  • Rider Esports
  • Team Tamilas
  • Troy Tamilan Esports
  • Likitha Esports
  • Medal Esports
  • Team Soul
  • Glitch x Reborn
  • Hades H4K .

Group C

  • Hyderabad Hydras
  • Mastermind Mavericks
  • THWxNONx Esports
  • Genesis Esports
  • Wobble Gaming
  • Phoenix Esports
  • 8Bit
  • 4Ever x RedxRoss .

Key Teams to Watch:

  • Orangutan Gaming (9th in Week 1) aims for redemption .
  • Team Soul and Revenant XSpark, despite struggling in Week 1, could stage a comeback .

Tournament Format

  • Matches: 24 total (6 per day) on maps like Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok .
  • Scoring: Points based on kills and placement. The top 8 teams by cumulative points qualify for the Grand Finals .

Schedule and How to Watch

  • Streaming Platform: Live on Krafton India Esports’ YouTube channel .
  • Daily Timings:
    • Match 1: 3:30 PM IST
    • Match 2: 4:15 PM IST
    • Match 3: 5:00 PM IST
    • Match 4: 5:40 PM IST
    • Match 5: 6:20 PM IST
    • Match 6: 7:05 PM IST.

Grand Finals Qualification

The top 8 teams from Week 2 will join the top 8 from Week 1 (like Cincinnati Kids, GodLike Esports) in the Grand Finals .

How to Upgrade Your Planter in Schedule 1 – Boost Yield & Growth Speed

Satyam Kumar
-
0
How to Upgrade Your Planter in Schedule 1 – Boost Yield & Growth Speed

In Schedule 1, upgrading your Planter is crucial for maximizing efficiency and keeping up with increasing customer demands. A basic setup won’t cut it as your operations expand—thankfully, the upgrade process is straightforward if you know where to look. Here’s how to boost your Planter’s performance.

Step 1: Unlock the Warehouse

Before upgrading, you must unlock the warehouse, accessible between 6 PM and 6 AM in-game. Inside, you’ll find Oscar, the vendor who sells all necessary upgrade components. Cash is the only accepted currency, but an ATM inside the warehouse makes withdrawals easy .

Step 2: Purchase Upgrade Components

(Image via TVGS)

Oscar offers three key items:

  • Upgraded Pot (Moisture-preserving or Air Pot) – Increases yield from 8 to 12 products per seed.
  • Suspension Rack – Holds your Grow Light.
  • Grow Light – Speeds up plant growth.

The Air Pot (costing $120) boosts growth speed by 15% but drains moisture 30% faster, requiring frequent watering .

Step 3: Set Up Your Upgraded Planter

  1. Attach the Grow Light to the Suspension Rack first.
  2. Install the Upgraded Pot—this is the core upgrade, directly increasing output.
  3. Ensure your setup includes a basic frame and lamp (if using an Air Pot) to avoid stunted growth .

Also Read: How to Fix Schedule 1 Infinite Loading Screen Error?

Why Upgrade?

  • Higher Yield: More products per seed mean faster order fulfillment.
  • Faster Growth: Reduced wait times between harvests.
  • Scalability: Essential for handling larger customer bases.

Upgrading your Planter is an investment, but one that pays off as you progress. Need more Schedule 1 tips? Stay tuned for advanced farming strategies!

How to Complete the “A Chance Encounter” Main Quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Yash More
-
0
How to Complete the “A Chance Encounter” Main Quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers an immersive feudal Japan experience, blending stealth and combat across its expansive narrative. One of its pivotal main quests, “A Chance Encounter,” unlocks critical story progression and rewards. Here’s a spoiler-free guide to completing it efficiently.

Quest Overview

“A Chance Encounter” becomes available after advancing through the “The Wise” story arc, requiring players to investigate a lead tied to the Shinbakufu conspiracy. This mission emphasizes exploration and dialogue choices, with outcomes varying based on character selection (Naoe or Yasuke).

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

  1. Prerequisites: Ensure you’ve completed “Lost Honor” and “Darkness Falls” to unlock this quest .
  2. Starting the Quest: Head to the marked location in Yamashiro (Kyoto region) and speak with the informant near the temple.
  3. Investigation: Use Naoe’s Focus ability (L2/Right-Click) to scan for clues, including a discarded letter and footprints. Yasuke players can intimidate locals for intel .
  4. Dual Paths:
    • Naoe: Infiltrate a nearby estate silently, assassinating guards to retrieve a key document.
    • Yasuke: Confront a group of ronin in a scripted duel, leveraging heavy attacks to break defenses .
  5. Final Choice: Decide whether to spare or eliminate the target—this affects later alliances and dialogue .

Rewards

  • XP: 2,000–3,000 (scales with level).
  • Gear: Legendary trinket (Naoe) or a rare katana (Yasuke) .
  • Story Impact: Unlocks “The Lost Envoys” and “Restless Spirits” quests .

Pro Tips

  • Stealth Focus: Naoe’s grappling hook shortcuts rooftop routes.
  • Combat Prep: Yasuke should equip armor-piercing weapons for the duel.

How To Get the Rainy Ducky Orisa Skin in Overwatch for Free?

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
How To Get the Rainy Ducky Orisa Skin in Overwatch for Free?

Overwatch 2 is giving away the free Rainy Ducky Orisa skin to its players, and you only have a limited time to grab the cosmetic before it’s no longer available to obtain.

Blizzard has been on a roll with free cosmetics lately. Just a few weeks ago, Overwatch 2 players had the chance to claim the Frozen Seer Lifeweaver Legendary skin through a Discord Quest.

This time, it’s the Rainy Ducky Orisa skin that players can get without spending a dime. The Rainy Ducky skin comes as part of the Rainy Day cosmetic collection, which also features themed skins for Mercy, Mei, Kiriko, and Tracer.

In this guide, we will show you how you can claim your own Rainy Ducky Orisa skin for free.

How To Get the Free Rainy Ducky Orisa Skin in Overwatch 2

How To Get the Rainy Ducky Orisa Skin in Overwatch for Free

To add the Rainy Ducky Orisa skin to your Overwatch 2 collection, all you need to do is complete 15 Totally Normalwatch challenges.

For the uninitiated, these challenges were introduced to the game as part of the new April Fools’ event for Overwatch 2.

The free Rainy Ducky Orisa skin will be up for grabs till April 15, 2025, so make sure to finish those challenges in time.

Below, we have included the full list of Totally Normalwatch challenges in Overwatch 2:

ChallengesHow To CompleteRewards
Totally Normal ChallengeComplete 15 Totally Normalwatch challengesRainy Ducky Orisa skin
Totally Normal ModeComplete 55 games of Totally Normalwatch. Silly Goose player title + 5,000 XP
Play a Regular ModeComplete 25 games of Totally Normalwatch. Flight of OR15 name card + 3,000 XP
Totally Regular HealingHeal 5,000 damage in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Lucio spray + 2,000 XP
Totally Regular DamageDeal over 9,000 damage in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Pharah spray + 2,000 XP
Play a Completely Normal AmountComplete 99 games. Wins grant double the progress.Bottom 500 player title + 10,000 XP
Normal TankComplete 2 games as any tank hero in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Hazard spray + 2,000 XP
Normal SupportComplete 2 games as any support hero in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Juno spray + 2,000 XP
Ultimately NormalUse ultimates 15 times. Excludes Total Mayhem and co-op modes.In de-Nile Venture voice line + Forgot to Walk Rosa Venture voice line
Play a Normal AmountComplete 20 games.Apartment Complex Juno voice line + Chicken Fried Rice Juno voice line
Regular Ability DamageDeal 7,000 damage with abilities. Excludes Total Mayhem and co-op modes.Dev Doodle Ana spray + Dev Doodle Echo spray
Play a Totally Normal AmountComplete 50 games.Smallga Mauga name card + 3,000 XP
Normal Damage DealerComplete 2 games as any damage hero in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Cassidy spray + 2,000 XP
Totally Regular MitigationMitigate 2,000 damage in Totally Normalwatch.Dev Doodle Zarya spray + 2,000 XP
Normal SavesEarn 15 assists/saves.Dev Doodle Baptiste spray + 2,000 XP
Normal EliminationsEarn 15 assists/eliminations.Dev Doodle Reaper spray + 2,000 XP
Just Act NormalEmote “Hello” to a teammate.Have a Laugh Hazard voice

If you’re an Orisa main, you shouldn’t miss out on this free skin for your favorite hero. You still have two weeks before the skin is no longer obtainable, so be sure to complete those challenges and claim the free reward before it’s gone!

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Revealed: Details Inside

Satyam Kumar
-
0
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Revealed: Details Inside

The wait is over! Nintendo has officially unveiled the pricing for its highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, confirming a $449.99 launch price for the standalone console and a $499.99 bundle featuring Mario Kart World. The successor to the record-breaking Switch will hit shelves on June 5, 2025, marking Nintendo’s biggest hardware leap in nearly a decade .

Breaking Down the Pricing

The base model’s $449.99 tag reflects a 50% increase over the original Switch’s 2017 launch price ($299.99), driven by upgraded hardware like a 7.9-inch 1080p/120Hz screen, magnetic Joy-Cons with mouse-like functionality, and 256GB storage . Analysts note the higher cost stems from pricier components, including Nvidia’s custom chip, and potential tariff impacts .

For gamers eyeing the $499.99 bundle, the deal includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World (normally $79.99), effectively saving $30. Preorders open April 9, with Nintendo prioritizing long-time Switch Online subscribers .

Global Pricing and Supply Expectations

The console will retail for ¥49,980 ($334) in Japan (language-locked) or ¥69,980 ($468) for multilingual support. Nintendo aims to ship 10+ million units in Year 1, avoiding the shortages that plagued the PS5 launch .

Why the Price Hike?

Beyond hardware upgrades, the Switch 2 boasts backward compatibility, 4K HDR docking, and a revamped social hub via the mysterious “C button” for voice chat and screen-sharing . With blockbusters like Metroid Prime 4 and third-party hits (Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6) confirmed, the premium seems justified for Nintendo’s next-gen vision .

Stay tuned for hands-on impressions from the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events kicking off in New York and Paris this week !

Project 007 Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2

Satyam Kumar
-
0
Project 007 Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2

In a thrilling reveal during yesterday’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, IO Interactive announced that their highly anticipated James Bond game, Project 007, is coming to Nintendo’s next-gen console . This marks the first official 007 game on a Nintendo system since 007 Legends on the Wii U in 2012, reigniting excitement for fans of the iconic British spy .

A New Origin Story for Bond

Project 007 promises a wholly original narrative, diving into James Bond’s origin story as players earn their 00 status . Unlike past movie tie-ins, this game will craft a fresh take on the legendary MI6 agent, developed by the same studio behind the acclaimed Hitman: World of Assassination—which is also confirmed as a Switch 2 launch title this June .

Why This Announcement Matters

  • Long-Awaited Return: The last major AAA Bond game was 007 Legends (2012), which received mixed reviews. IO Interactive’s fresh approach could revitalize the franchise .
  • Switch 2’s Power: The original Switch struggled with demanding AAA ports, but the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware (4K support, improved performance) makes Project 007 a feasible and exciting addition .
  • Trilogy Potential: IO Interactive has hinted that this could be the first entry in a Bond trilogy, expanding the universe beyond a single game .

What We Know (And What We Don’t)

While the teaser only showed a gun barrel reloading with the classic Bond theme , no gameplay or release window was revealed. However, its confirmation alongside major titles like Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy signals strong third-party support for the Switch 2 .

With IO Interactive’s stealth expertise and Nintendo’s next-gen hardware, Project 007 could deliver the definitive Bond gaming experience. Stay tuned for more updates—this is one mission you won’t want to miss.

1...129130131...1,939Page 130 of 1,939

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 2012-2025.