KRAFTON India hosted the inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, celebrating excellence across India’s gaming and esports ecosystem. The event marked KRAFTON India’s first dedicated awards platform in the country, bringing together creators, esports athletes, casters, hosts, and industry professionals. Check out all Krafton India Awards winners.
Presented by iQOO and co-powered by Flipkart, the awards night highlighted standout performances in content creation, competitive esports, community impact, and game development. The ceremony was also live-streamed inside BGMI and on YouTube, allowing fans across the country to witness the celebrations. The awards featured a mix of jury-decided and fan-voted categories, recognizing both performance-based excellence and community popularity.
KRAFTON India Awards 2025 Winners List
Influencer of the Year
Winner: Jonathan
Best Content Creator of the Year (Male)
Winner: JokerKiHaveli
Best Content Creator of the Year (Female)
Winner: Payal Gaming
Rising Creator of the Year
Winner: Admino
Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Male)
Winner: Jonathan
Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Female)
With its first edition completed successfully, the KRAFTON India Awards is expected to become a regular fixture on India’s gaming calendar, celebrating talent and contributions from across the rapidly growing gaming and esports industry.
The Bowie Knife is one of the most popular knives in CS2, thanks to its unique animation and incredibly affordable price, making it a great value-for-money cosmetic to acquire in 2026. If you are planning to get your first knife in CS2 and eyeing a Bowie, then there is little that can go wrong for you. In this article, we will explore the best Bowie skins out there to help you make a decision.
Bowie is a big knife, and many consider it to be kind of in your face, but if you are getting your first knife, then you would much rather enjoy one like it. It has a unique switching animation and a pretty slick inspect animation, and several of the less desirable patterns can be found at a pocket-friendly price. All of this makes Bowie a great choice for those who are looking to get their first knife.
1. Bowie Knife | Gamma Doppler
With its vibrant colours and eye-catching patterns, the Gamma Doppler lineup is arguably the most desired skin type among knives in the CS2. The elegant colors make it classy as well as unique enough to stand out, and it is a treat for the eyes. Gamma Doppler brings along a lot of boasting rights, but attracts quite a few scammers.
2. Bowie Knife | Doppler
Just like Gamma Doppler, the regular Doppler is just as gorgeous and often less expensive than the former. It also boasts unique patterns within the skin, which at times appreciates the value of the knife significantly. With its unique colours, the knife looks like it has been carved out of a precious gemstone, which makes it a joy to stare at between rounds.
3. Bowie Knife | Marble Fade
With a burst of colours that pop when inspected, the Marble Fade serves as a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive skins, making it a highly desirable one among first-time skin buyers. If you have the budget, then Marble Fade is one of the most respected skins within the community.
4. Bowie Knife | Fade
The eternal love for all CS fans, Fade skins rank among the cleanest and most aesthetically pleasing knives, which come with a hefty price tag. One can never go wrong with a fade skin, and if you get this as your first skin, then be ready to attract the gaze of your teammates.
5. Bowie Knife | Tiger Tooth
Bowie Tiger Tooth is a very safe and unique option for players looking to get their first knife, especially with its price tag. Make sure to have your shaders set to “High” to get the most out of the precisely crafted aesthetics of the skin.
All of these skins make up some of the best Bowie skins out there, and given how they have historically appreciated, investing in one of them may be a wise decision over a long period of time. The above-mentioned Bowie knife skins are the best ones out there.
Valorant’s Season 2026 Act 1 update is here, bringing with it a ton of exciting content to the tactical shooter, including a fresh Battle Pass, a brand-new game mode, and a lot more.
However, the biggest highlight of the new Valorant Act is undoubtedly the introduction of the Bandit pistol, the newest addition to the game’s arsenal that has already sparked heated debates within the community about its potential to disrupt the current competitive meta.
For the uninitiated, the Bandit is a 600-credit pistol that aims to fill the void between the Ghost and the Sheriff in the Valorant arsenal. It can take down enemies wearing a light shield or a regen shield with a single headshot, and at close range, it is also capable of one-tapping opponents with heavy shields.
On paper, the Bandit seems absurdly overpowered as it outperforms the Ghost by a significant margin in terms of raw firepower, while only being slightly pricier. Many players also see the Bandit as a decent alternative to the Sheriff, as it has a higher magazine and a much faster fire rate to compensate for its slightly lower damage at mid to long ranges.
But how does it fare practically? Can the Bandit be the next big meta pistol that will take over not only pistol rounds, but also anti-ecos and force-buys? Let’s find out.
Valorant Bandit Stats
To better understand how the Bandit stands in the current Valorant meta, we first have to take a look at the gun’s detailed stats.
The Bandit has the same run speed, equip speed, and reload time as the Ghost, giving it a solid edge over the Sheriff, which falls behind in all three areas. Meanwhile, its magazine size, fire rate, and first-shot accuracy all sit somewhere between the Ghost and the Sheriff.
Valorant Bandit Stats
With a medium wall penetration, the Bandit isn’t nearly as good as the Sheriff if you’re looking to wallbang opponents through certain covers.
So, Is the Bandit Broken or Balanced?
Bandit’s Impact on the Pistol-Round Meta
While many players seem to think that Bandit will completely “take over” pistol rounds, it’s highly unlikely that it will replace either the Ghost or the Sheriff as the go-to pick for most Agents.
Here’s why: while the Bandit’s price tag is pretty justified, if not slightly on the lower end, most Agents can’t afford it during pistol rounds.
Take agents like Sage or Omen, for instance. The former must dedicate 300 credits to her wall, which is a must-buy on pistol rounds, leaving her with only 500 credits to spend. The latter faces a similar issue, as he needs to get a smoke alongside a flash or teleport, leaving him with less than 600 credits either way.
Sure, you can sacrifice a crucial piece of utility to get a slightly better gun, but then you’d be more reliant on your mechanical skills rather than tactical play.
Agents like Jett or Reyna, however, will be extremely happy about the addition of the Bandit. Jett can now pick up an Updraft or a smoke alongside the new pistol, while Reyna can get an extra Dismiss charge.
This means that the usage of the Bandit during pistol rounds will likely be limited to certain Duelists in the game. However, unlike the Ghost, the Bandit also finds meaningful value beyond pistol rounds.
A Viable Option Against Light & Regen Shields
Previously, the best counter to the Light Shields and Regen Shields was the Outlaw. The 2400 credit Sniper is capable of taking down opponents without a Heavy Shield with a single body shot at all ranges, but occupies your primary weapon slot.
With the addition of the Bandit, players now have a reliable counter to light and regen shields in their back pocket, so to speak, giving them the flexibility to dedicate their primary slot to another weapon or even leave it empty in certain situations.
The new Valorant pistol might also drastically change the anti-eco and force-buy meta, as the mere presence of the Bandit makes purchasing a half-shield Bulldog or Outlaw after a pistol round win a lot more risky.
You might think that you’d be safe getting a Heavy Shield, and that is true to an extent, but note that the Bandit is capable of shredding fully-armored opponents with a single headshot at close ranges. Players might need to think twice about pushing close-quarters areas like the Bind Halls or Haven’s Garage without clearing them with proper utility first.
Should You Buy the Bandit?
So, when exactly should you be getting the Bandit?
As mentioned earlier, the Bandit is a tough buy for most Agents during pistol rounds. Additionally, it is only useful in cases where your opponents are getting Light Shields with a Classic. These factors make Bandit a questionable choice for Agents that are more reliant on their utility, but still a viable option for Duelists who can get away with it.
Outside of pistol rounds, you’ll need to be tracking your opponents’ economy to get a better idea of when they’re likely to compromise on heavy shields. If you’re low on cash but feel like your enemies might under-invest in protection, the Bandit can be a great option to wreak havoc on lightly armored opponents.
PaiN Gaming has locked in Vinicius “vsm” Moreira and Guilherme “piriajr” Barbosa for their Counter-Strike 2 squad. The high-octane duo benches David “dav1deuS” Maldonado and Franco “dgt” Garcia to reserves.
Vsm previously played for Flamengo and Vivo Keyd Stars. The 26-year-old CS2 pro dominated GamersClub Série A (three titles) and hit the CBCS Masters Xeque Mate final.
Piriajr is the 23-year-old damage machine from Fluxo/Bounty Hunters. ESL Challenger League S49 and CCT S2 Series 8 victory and BLAST.tv Austin Major Stage 1, prove his big-stage mettle.
2025 foi um ano importante na nossa evolução no Counter-Strike. Vivemos momentos de crescimento e competitividade em alto nível, mas também aprendizados necessários. Não fomos tão consistentes quanto buscamos ao longo de toda a temporada, e reconhecer isso faz parte do nosso… pic.twitter.com/Im4eb2cxrH
PaiN bets big on these Brazilian stars to crack tier-1 ceilings, blending vsm‘s precision with piriajr‘s firepower. Kraków could crown Brazil’s next CS2 dynasty.
Arc Raiders is set to get a massive Anti-Cheat overhaul, as confirmed by the developers Embark Studios, to address the explosive growth of cheaters in the game. First impressions suggested that the developers are focusing on stringent detection tools, harsher penalties, and an updated ruleset to give players a fair matchmaking environment for the popular PvP extraction shooter.
Arc Raiders became a global sensation right from its release, given that it brings excellent graphics, a refreshing game mode, and a highly optimised and enjoyable gaming experience for players. The community has responded to the efforts of the developers, given that the game has consistently ranked highly on the Steam chart, topping it at several instances. Over the coming weeks, Embark plans to systematically roll out changes, after which they expect the game to become fairer than it is now.
New Anti-Cheat Ruleset & Detection Tools
Embark’s plans to tackle the rising problem of cheaters in ARC Raiders will include three areas where they plan to make radical changes.
Stronger cheat detection systems that identify and remove cheaters more reliably.
Client-side patches to address the underlying exploits that players use to get an unfair advantage.
Improved enforcement that increases the stringency of punishments to discourage cheating and exploitation.
My experience on Arc Raiders over the last week has been hell. Just to be clear, I love this game and think it’s already moved in to my personal top 10 all time.
But the egregious amount of cheating genuinely might be worse than peak Call of Duty. I’m not trying to bring…
Given the rise in complaints from notable voices of the community, Embark has wasted no time in addressing the concerns and has been very transparent about rolling out updates to tackle the cheating problem at scale.
Goes without saying that cheating is a common problem among all multiplayer games, and it was only a matter of time before ARC Raiders faced the same fate, but unlike many titles, the developers have openly admitted and revealed their plan to tackle it and therefore won the trust of the gaming community.
In a strategic move to diversify its competition arsenal, the world’s leading esports powerhouse, Gen.G, has just announced that it will venture for the first time into organized Fortnite competition. This announcement from such a major esports giant is significant, as the 2026 Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) is not far off.
The timing of Gen.G’s entry could not be more perfect, given the resurgence of Duos in the FNCS in 2026, which has resulted in a lot of excitement in the competitive scene, as they have been playing in Trios for years. Epic’s makeover brings with it a prize pool of more than $10 million for the whole season, including hosting four LAN events, a major jump from what has been offered in the last seasons. This makes Gen.G’s addition to the competitive scene a clear indicator of faith in its future.
It’s not a completely new Fortnite foray by Gen.G. The organization fielded notable rosters, including an all-female squad, earlier as a way of showing early commitment to diversity within competitive gaming. Combine this multi-title track record with its institutional expertise in developing players through the Gen.G Global Academy, known as GGA, and this organization is well-placed to develop championship-caliber talent. Until relatively recently, the genetics of inherited cancer susceptibility has only been understood at a qualitative level.
With competitive Fortnite embarking on perhaps its most ambitious season to date, the expansion of Gen.G reflects broader industry trends as major organizations increasingly recognize the staying power and commercial viability of the game. It enters an increasingly competitive field of elite teams preparing for the FNCS Trial commencing on January 31st, the crucial qualification event that will decide initial division seeding for the entire competitive calendar.
The 2026 FNCS season, unfolding across multiple regions and formats, will undoubtedly be influenced by the participation of Gen.G from top competitive dynamics through to the conversation centered on esports organizations making strategic investments in battle royale titles.
Activision is starting the year 2026 off right with a spine-tingling new chapter for Call of Duty Mobile as Season 1, Frozen Abyss, launches on January 14 at 4 PM PT (January 15, 5:30 AM IST for Indian players). The arctic-themed season promises sizeable content updates that are geared toward capturing the attention of players with fresh cosmetics, weapons, and gameplay additions.
The real star of the show this season is the addition of Codename: Lazarus — Cosmic Wrath. It is a hard-hitting new Mythic Operator who rises from the dead with a truly demonic aesthetic that perfectly matches the dark, icy tones of this season’s narrative. This Mythic character leads off what promises to be one of the most content-heavy seasonal launches the franchise has seen yet, rounded out by the return of the Grim Ending Mythic Draw.
Equipment-wise, there is a great deal to look forward to in terms of new additions to the arsenal. This is in the form of the LC10 SMG, which is an extremely fast-firing and low-recoiling submachine gun that looks to shake up the landscape in competitive play. Joining this new addition to the equipment list is also the Inflatable Decoy Grenade.
There is an ongoing Street Fighter collab with Part 2 and new events set to happen that will bring sports-style mini-events and Secret Cache Catch-Up events that feature winter themes and take advantage of the crossover with Street Fighter, with Ryu’s trademark gloves being part of the free melee weapon reward.
More seasonal events include the Four Horsemen skins with the Death themed Artery Operator Skin and the “Eternal Grasp” blueprint, in addition to the Battle Passes from 2021 and 2024.
KRAFTON India has released a new set of BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA, aka BGMI redeem codes, allowing players to unlock the Tender Gift Stun Grenade. As part of BGMI’s ongoing daily reward initiative, the limited-time drop offers players another exclusive item designed to enhance gameplay while keeping daily engagement high. Check out the BGMI redeem code below.
BGMI Redeem Codes Today
Redeem codes are valid until 28th February 2026 and can be redeemed only on BGMI’s official website.
Step 4: Enter the verification/ Captcha code → A message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”
Step 5: The reward will be delivered via in-game mail
Rules to Remember:
A maximum of 10 users can redeem each code on a first-come first served basis
A user cannot redeem a code twice
Users must claim their rewards via in-game mail within 7 days or the mail will expire
If a player is among the first 10 users to redeem the code, a message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”. Otherwise, users will see “Code expired” or a similar message
Each user account can redeem only one code per day
Redeem codes cannot be used via guest accounts
Rewards must be claimed within 30 days from receiving the in-game mail For the latest updates, follow BGMI’s official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages.
What Are BGMI Redeem Codes?
BGMI redeem codes are special codes that give you free rewards in the game. KRAFTON shares these codes, and you can use them to get free skins, outfits, gun upgrades and other items. You don’t need to spend any money. You just enter the code on the BGMI redeem website, and the reward comes to your in-game mail. It is an easy and free way to get new items in BGMI.
A 12-year-old Japanese gamer’s decision to walk away from school and pursue a professional esports career has sparked heated debates across the world, but his parents are ready to back him up.
Japanese prodigy Tarou has been gaming since he was three years old, as stated by his family, and has garnered over 232,000 subscribers since creating a YouTube channel in 2020 due to his exceptional gaming skills.
In a recent X post, Tarou announced his plans not to pursue formal education after finishing elementary school. He also stated that he intends to invest more time and energy in esports, with hopes of competing in major events like the Fortnite World Cup.
“After graduating from elementary school, I decided not to attend junior high school,” a rough translation of the post reads. “This is the result of discussions over the course of a year with my family and school, in order to create a lifestyle where I can seriously pursue both competitive Fortnite and YouTube while ensuring sufficient time for sleep, exercise, and studying.”
In an interview with NEWS Post Seven, Tarou’s father made it clear he fully supports the decision, explaining that a conventional school routine would prevent Tarou from maintaining a professional training regimen.
Tarou’s parents further said they were confident in his potential to reach the highest level of competitive play, while citing his ability to outplay even veteran players.
However, the community’s reaction to Tarou’s plans to quit school for gaming has been rather mixed. While some wholeheartedly supported his decision to pursue his passion, others were a bit critical, claiming that spending the “most fun years” playing video games might be a “waste.”
Needless to say, the global spotlight will remain firmly on Tarou for years to come as his esports journey unfolds, for better or worse.
Fortnite X South Park crossover event is set to hit the servers on January 9, 2026, and the leaks have got the fans buzzing about the update. The iconic animated comedy show has gained fans around the world across all age groups, and for Epic Games to bring a collaboration like this unexpectedly has got the community riled up.
Several sources and insiders have suggested that the Fortnite x South Park collab will bring popular characters from the show to the game and blend them with the mechanics for Fortnite to have a seamless crossover, making the Battle Royale experience all the more enjoyable. In typical Epic fashion, the key details of the update are still missing, but thanks to the data miners, we have gotten our hands on a few interesting points.
The Fortnite X South Park crossover is officially set to release on January 9, 2026, as a part of Fortnite’s v39.20 patch and will ensure that the new year begins with a bang for Fortnite players.
Leaked Skins & Character Lineup
The leaks and early footage suggest that key South Park characters will be making it to the game and will be put into mech-style outfits to fit into Fortnite’s 3D world. The following are the characters cited to come to the game:
Eric “Cartman”
Stan Marsh
Kyle Broflovski
Kenny McCormick
Butters (Professor Chaos)
New Game Mode: Fortnite Quints
The leak that has thrown a spanner in the works is Fortnite Quints. Fortnite, being a game that was hell-bent on establishing the Battle Royale game mode for decades now, will be introducing Fortnite Quints, a 5v5 game mode like conventional FPSs like CS2 and Valorant, which begs the question if Epic wants to expand the horizons of Fortnite esports.
All of the aforementioned updates will be complemented by minor additions of game elements. If everything from the leaks comes true, this will be a collab to remember for Fortnite players, especially those who are fans of South Park.
