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Xbox Nano Controller Skips India at Launch: Price, Specs and What It Lacks

Satyam Kumar
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Xbox Nano Controller Skips India at Launch: Price, Specs and What It Lacks

The Xbox Nano Controller costs $49.99 (£44.99) and ships November 4, but India is not one of its 36 launch markets. Microsoft has not shared an Indian price or date. The pad keeps all 18 Xbox inputs and adds an Action button. It connects over Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth only, with no direct Wi-Fi link to Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the USB-C cable is sold separately.

Microsoft says the Nano is the smallest controller it has ever made. It works with Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless and with PCs, phones, tablets and select smart TVs over Bluetooth.

Xbox Nano Controller Price and Release Date

The Nano costs $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK. Microsoft opened pre-orders on October 14, 2026, the same day it announced the controller on Xbox Wire.

Store listings put the release on November 4. Xbox Wire names 36 launch markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Australia and China, with more countries to follow.

Microsoft has not shared Indian pricing yet. Indian buyers should watch the official Xbox Nano Controller page for a local listing.

DetailXbox Nano Controller
US price$49.99
UK price£44.99
Pre-ordersOpen since October 14, 2026
ReleaseNovember 4, 2026 (store listings)
Launch markets36, more to follow
India priceNot announced

Is the Xbox Nano Controller Launching in India?

Not at launch. Xbox Wire lists 36 markets for November 4, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia, but India is not on the list. Microsoft says more markets will follow and has not given dates.

For a rough idea, $49.99 converts to about Rs [CHECK TODAY’S RATE] before import duty and GST. Official Xbox controllers usually sell in India well above the straight conversion, so do not expect that number on shelves.

Importing one is possible, but you lose local warranty support. If you can wait, watch the official Xbox India accessories page and Amazon India for a listing.

Xbox Nano Controller Specs

The Nano is a little over 5 inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces, which is roughly 99 grams. Microsoft says that makes it lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones.

Size is the only big cut. It keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the sticks, face buttons, bumpers, triggers and D-pad sit in the usual Xbox layout.

Microsoft also added a programmable Action button. By default it handles quick jobs like screenshots and gameplay clips, and you can remap it in the Xbox Accessories app.

SpecDetail
LengthA little over 5 inches
Weight3.5 oz (about 99 g)
Inputs18 standard gameplay inputs
Extra buttonProgrammable Action button
BatteryInternal, rechargeable
ChargingUSB-C (cable sold separately)
ConnectivityXbox Wireless and Bluetooth
Battery lifeNot disclosed

Which Devices Work With the Xbox Nano Controller

The Nano connects to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One over Xbox Wireless. Everything else pairs over Bluetooth.

The official Xbox product page lists Windows 10 and 11 PCs, tablets, Android phones, iPhones and select smart TVs. That last group matters, because Samsung TVs run the Xbox app through Samsung Gaming Hub with no console attached.

This is where the Nano makes the most sense. It is small enough to keep in a bag next to a phone, a laptop or a Meta Quest headset.

What the Xbox Nano Controller Leaves Out

No direct Wi-Fi. The Nano connects over Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth only, as reported by Windows Central. A leaked filing reported by Tecnoblog earlier this year pointed to Wi-Fi 6 and a 500 mAh battery, which would have let a cloud controller talk straight to Xbox servers. Microsoft’s final spec sheet does not mention Wi-Fi, so expect the same input path as any Bluetooth pad.

No Hall Effect or TMR sticks. At $49.99 that is a fair complaint, since several cheaper third-party pads now use drift-resistant sticks.

No USB-C cable in the box. The official product page lists it as required and sold separately.

Not confirmed yet: battery life, charging time, rumble, impulse triggers and a headset jack. Treat these as missing until reviews land.

Samsung TV and Meta Quest Bundles

Microsoft is pushing the Nano through two US holiday offers. Buy a select Samsung TV or a Meta Quest headset and you get an Xbox Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate.

The Game Pass part only applies to new members. Microsoft has not said whether these bundles will reach other countries.

Why Microsoft Is Releasing a Smaller Controller

The Nano is built for cloud play on screens that are not Xbox consoles. TVs, headsets and phones need a cheap pad that travels well, and a full-size controller is a lot to carry for a 30-minute session.

Timing matters here too. Xbox Cloud Gaming adds monthly playtime limits in November, the same month the Nano ships. You can read the tier-by-tier breakdown in our report on Xbox Cloud Gaming time limits starting in November.

Microsoft also pitches the Nano at younger players and smaller hands, a point GameSpot picked up from the announcement. Xbox Wire uses Minecraft Dungeons II local co-op as its example, where four players need four controllers and a $49.99 option keeps the cost down.

Xbox has spent 2026 moving away from the console as the only way in. Recent stories like the Xbox Game Pass dynamic pricing test and the disc drive shortage tied to Project Helix point the same way, toward subscriptions and play on any screen.

How the Nano Compares With Other Compact Controllers

The Nano is not the cheapest small pad on the market. The CRKD Atom+ sells for $29.99 and the 8BitDo Lite 2 for $34.99, according to XiaomiToday.

What the Nano adds is native Xbox Wireless support. Third-party pads usually rely on Bluetooth or a cable, while the Nano connects to an Xbox the same way a first-party controller does.

ControllerPriceXbox WirelessBluetooth
Xbox Nano Controller$49.99YesYes
8BitDo Lite 2$34.99NoYes
CRKD Atom+$29.99NoYes

Do not mix it up with the PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired Controller. That is a different, licensed product with a cable, sold for years under a similar name.

Xbox Nano vs Xbox Wireless Controller

Xbox Nano ControllerXbox Wireless Controller
US price$49.99$64.99
SizeA little over 5 inches, 3.5 ozFull size
BatteryBuilt-in rechargeableAA batteries (rechargeable pack sold separately)
Extra buttonProgrammable Action buttonShare button
Rumble / impulse triggersNot confirmedYes
3.5mm headset jackNot confirmedYes

Should You Pre-Order the Xbox Nano Controller

Pre-order it if you mostly play through cloud gaming on a TV, phone or VR headset. It is the cheapest official Xbox controller, and the Action button is a useful extra.

Wait for reviews if you play long sessions on an Xbox console. Battery life is still unknown, and a full-size controller will be more comfortable for adult hands.

Either way, add a USB-C cable to your cart. You will need one on day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Xbox Nano Controller cost?

The Xbox Nano Controller costs $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK. Microsoft has not announced pricing for India or most other regions, and says pricing varies by country.

When does the Xbox Nano Controller release?

Store listings show a November 4, 2026 release. Pre-orders opened on October 14, 2026, and Xbox Wire lists 36 launch markets with more to follow.

Does the Xbox Nano Controller come with a charging cable?

No. The official Xbox product page says the controller needs a USB-C cable for charging, and that cable is sold separately. The box contains the wireless controller only.

Does the Xbox Nano Controller work with iPhone and Android?

Yes. It pairs over Bluetooth with iOS and Android devices, Windows 10 and 11 PCs, tablets and select smart TVs. It connects to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One over Xbox Wireless.

What is the battery life of the Xbox Nano Controller?

Microsoft has not shared battery life, capacity or charging time. The controller uses an internal rechargeable battery, so you cannot swap in AA batteries like you can with the standard Xbox Wireless Controller.

BMSD 2026 Smash Rule Explained: How the Champion Will Be Decided on Day 3

Divyesh Moghe
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BMSD 2026 Smash Rule Explained: How the Champion Will Be Decided on Day 3

The BMSD 2026 champion will be decided by the Smash Rule on Day 3 of the Grand Finals, which is 18 October. A team must first reach the Match Point target and then win a Chicken Dinner in a later match to lift the trophy.

If no eligible team wins a Chicken Dinner by Match 18, the team with the most overall points becomes champion. That means topping the points table alone may not be enough this time.

All qualification rounds are done, and 16 teams are now set for the Grand Finals of BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SHOWDOWN 2026. Here is how the Smash Rule works, with simple examples.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals: Dates, Teams and Format

The Grand Finals run from 16 to 18 October 2026 at Savaaya Convention in Gandipet, Hyderabad. The 16 teams will play 18 matches across three days, with 6 matches each day.

The first match on 16 October starts at 2:40 PM IST. Four teams came directly from Group A of the Qualifiers, eight from the Semi Finals and four from Last Chance.

The stakes are high. The top 6 teams earn a spot at BMIC 2026, and the champion gets a slot at PMGC 2026. Full standings, prize split and qualified teams are on our BMSD 2026 wiki page.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Teams

The lobby is stacked. Orangutan, Elite Nova and Team Tamilas missed out, and Sensei’s Wyld Fangs came through Last Chance.

RouteTeams
Qualifiers Group A (4)Team 8Bit, Blitz Epigrotive Gaming, Meta Ninza, Revenant XSpark
Semi Finals (8)Team Apex Gaming, Nebula Esports, Team Soul, K9 Esports, Blue Army, GodLike Esports, Team Outrage, Gladiators Esports
Last Chance (4)Myth Official, Genesis Esports, Wyld Fangs, Welt Esports

Route details and match-by-match results are in our BMSD 2026 Grand Finals teams list.

Competition has been tight at almost every major BGMI event in 2026, from BGIS and BMPS to now BMSD. This finals lobby shows how deep Indian BGMI esports has become.

What Is the Match Point in BMSD 2026?

Days 1 and 2 play like a normal BGMI tournament. Teams collect placement points and finish points in every match.

After 12 matches, the organisers take the leader’s total and add 10 points. That number becomes the Match Point target for Day 3.

Example: If GodLike lead with 110 points after Match 12, the target becomes 120 points. This is only an example, and the real number will be known after the 12th match on 17 October.

How the BMSD 2026 Smash Rule Works on Day 3

From Match 13, every team chases the Match Point target. Any team that reaches or crosses it becomes Match Point Eligible.

Eligibility does not win the trophy. The team must then win a Chicken Dinner in a later match.

The first eligible team to take a Chicken Dinner becomes the BMSD 2026 champion. Points stop mattering at that moment.

BMSD Smash Rule Examples

Example 1: The Chicken Dinner Must Come Later

Say GodLike cross 120 points in Match 13 and win that same match. They still do not get the trophy.

The rule needs the Chicken Dinner to come after a team becomes eligible. So GodLike can only win the title from Match 14 onward.

Now say GodLike miss the Chicken Dinner in Match 14, but Team Soul also cross 120 points. From Match 15, both teams can win the title with a Chicken Dinner.

MatchWhat happensWho can win the title
13GodLike cross 120 and win the matchNobody yet
14GodLike miss the WWCD, Soul cross 120GodLike only
15 onwardBoth teams are eligibleGodLike or Soul

Example 2: The Points Leader Can Still Lose

Before Match 15, say GodLike have 160 points and Soul have only 125. GodLike are far ahead on the table.

If Soul win the Chicken Dinner in Match 15, Soul become BMSD 2026 champions. GodLike’s 35-point lead does not matter.

What Happens If No Eligible Team Wins a Chicken Dinner?

The Grand Finals have a hard cap of 18 matches. Day 3 has only six matches, from Match 13 to Match 18.

If no eligible team wins a Chicken Dinner by the end of Match 18, the title goes to the team with the most overall points. The tournament then ends like a normal points-based event.

Why the Smash Rule Changes Day 3 Strategy

The pressure flips on the final day. A team at the top of the table still needs a Chicken Dinner, while a team further back can become eligible and steal the title with one win.

Teams that are not eligible matter too. Every Chicken Dinner they win is one less chance for an eligible team to close out the event.

So GodLike, Soul, Apex, Revenant XSpark, 8Bit and the rest will need to plan two things at once. They have to keep collecting points and pick the right moment to play for the win.

We could see the champion crowned in Match 14 or a points-table finish after Match 18. Either way, every Chicken Dinner on 18 October can flip the title race.

Do you like the Smash Rule, or should the team with the most points after 18 matches always be champion? Tell us in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Smash Rule start in BMSD 2026?

The Smash Rule applies on Day 3 of the Grand Finals, 18 October 2026, from Match 13. The Match Point target is set after Match 12 on 17 October.

How is the BMSD 2026 Match Point target calculated?

Take the points of the team in first place after 12 matches and add 10. If the leader has 110 points, the target is 120.

Does a team win BMSD 2026 just by reaching Match Point?

No. Reaching the target only makes a team eligible. It must then win a Chicken Dinner in a later match to become champion.

What if two teams are Match Point Eligible?

Both can win the title. Whichever eligible team wins a Chicken Dinner first becomes champion, regardless of points.

What does the BMSD 2026 champion win?

The champion gets a slot at PMGC 2026 and the top prize from the ₹1 crore prize pool. The top 6 teams qualify for BMIC 2026.

VCT China Partnership 2027: Reported Teams and Who Misses Out

Aritra Patra
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VCT China Partnership 2027: Reported Teams and Who Misses Out

The VCT China partnership list for 2027 and 2028 has reportedly been revealed, with 8 organizations set to hold partner slots. EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, Trace Esports, Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming are named. FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club and Wolves Esports are reported to miss out. Riot Games has not confirmed the teams.

Below, we break down the full list and what the reported changes mean for teams outside the group.

VCT China Partnership 2027: Reported Teams

According to Sheep Esports, 8 organizations are expected to be partners in VALORANT Champions Tour China for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. The report comes from sources. Riot has not announced the teams or shared the full details of the China format.

TeamReported status
EDward GamingStays as partner
JD GamingStays as partner
Bilibili GamingStays as partner
TYLOOStays as partner
All GamersStays as partner
Trace EsportsStays as partner
Xi Lai GamingMoves up from guest slot
Weibo GamingJoins as new partner

Six of the 8 teams already hold partner slots. Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming are the two additions.

EDward Gaming won the 2024 VALORANT World Championship. It remains China’s only international title since the current circuit began. TYLOO and JD Gaming qualified for the recent Champions event in Shanghai, though both had mixed results.

Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming Join the Group

Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) held a guest slot in VCT China. The team won Ascension in 2024 and has played at every international LAN since Masters Toronto 2025. It is now expected to become a full partner for 2 seasons.

Weibo Gaming is the other new name. The organization played VALORANT from the game’s launch in 2020 until partner slots arrived in 2023. It did not secure a slot then and later left the scene.

Weibo returned in early 2026 with mixed results. Its current project includes Milan “Milan” de Meij as head coach. He joined in July after more than a year and a half with Fnatic.

Teams Reported to Lose VCT China Partner Status

Four current partners are reported to miss the next cycle. They are FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club and Wolves Esports. Dragon Ranger Gaming, which also held a guest slot, was not selected either.

Wolves is probably the most prominent name among the four. The team was a surprise side at Masters Toronto 2025.

Losing partner status does not mean these teams must leave VALORANT. Under the more open circuit, they can still try to qualify for Cups and Masters events by building a successful project.

League of Legends Rumor Around VCT China Partners

Rumors on the Weibo app suggest that a League of Legends presence was a requirement or a key factor for Riot.

Some teams fit the pattern. FunPlus Phoenix left the LoL scene in late 2025. Nova Esports has been absent since 2021. Titan Esports Club and Wolves have never entered the MOBA scene.

On the other side, Xi Lai recently joined China’s Tier 2 LoL scene. Weibo has played in the LPL since 2021. However, Trace Esports and TYLOO are not active in LoL, which weakens the theory.

VCT 2027 Format and Partner Benefits

Riot’s first partnership cycle began in 2023 and ends after the 2026 season. Each of the 4 regions (EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China) will now have 8 partner teams instead of 10. That makes 32 partners in total.

Partners will keep receiving a base payment and revenue from in-game team capsules. Riot shared nearly $86 million with its 40 partnered organizations in 2025 alone.

Partners also get a competitive edge in the open circuit. The Americas, Pacific, and EMEA Kickoff events will feature 12 teams: 8 partners and 4 from Open Qualifiers. The same report says the VCT China Kickoff will have 8 partners, 2 visitors and 2 Open Qualifier teams.

Teams qualifying for a Kickoff or Cup through the open circuit receive $100,000 each. The seasonal prize pool stays above $6 million.

What Happens to Teams Without Partner Status

The route back for non-partner teams depends on rules Riot has not spelled out. China’s format may differ from the other 3 regions. Qualification details for China remain open.

For now, the lineup is a report and not a Riot announcement. Fans should wait for official confirmation before treating the list as final.

New Aion 2 Update Adds Halloween Event, Server Transfers, and More: October 14 Patch Notes

Sonu Banerjee
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New Aion 2 Update Adds Halloween Event, Server Transfers, and More: October 14 Patch Notes

Aion 2 has shipped out its first major update after its official release, and it’s a big one. The October 14 Aion 2 patch, which is roughly 35 GBs in size, introduces a plethora of new content to the MMORPG, including server transfers, class changes, and a brand-new Halloween event featuring a number of new cosmetics.

In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about the latest Aion 2 update, its contents, and more.

Aion 2 October 14 Update: Patch Notes Revealed

The developers behind Aion 2 have officially revealed the patch notes for the game’s October 14 update in a blog post. Here’s everything that the new Aion 2 update has brought to the NC title:

[Content & Systems] 

Shop 

  • During the server transfer period, some items from [Shop > Wind Breeze Merchants > Special] will be moved to [Substance Morph > Special > Wind Breeze Merchants].
  • The affected items are “Instant Clear Ticket: Daily Dungeon (Bound)” and “Soul Crystal (Bound).” 
  • During the server transfer period, the sales method for “Odyle Energy (Bound)” in [Shop > Wind Breeze Merchants > Special] will change. 
  • The weekly limit of 16 per server for “Odyle Energy (Bound)” will be removed. 
  • The weekly per-character limit for the “Odyle Energy (Bound)” item will increase from 4 to 20. 
  • “Lower Abyss Rift Stone (7-day)” will be available for purchase in [Shop > Wind Breeze Merchants > Special] for two weeks. 

Class Changes 

  • Spiritmaster 
    • Summon: Ancient Spirit: An issue where Ancient Spirit Summons at Level 15 or below did not activate skills properly will be fixed. 
  • Sorcerer 
    • Fire Wall: An issue where bonus damage was not applied during combat when there was a difference in elevation will be fixed. An issue where the effect of your Embers was removed by another PC’s stronger Embers effect will be fixed. 
  • Cold Storm: An issue where bonus damage was not applied during combat when there was a difference in elevation will be fixed. An issue where the effect of your Frostbite was removed by another PC’s stronger Frostbite effect will be fixed.
  • Bittercold Wind: An issue where the Frost Cooldown Reduction effect did not function properly during combat when there was a difference in elevation will be fixed. 

Halloween Event 

Event Schedule 

  • After the scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, (PDT) through before the scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (PST) / After the scheduled maintenance on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, (CEST) through before the scheduled maintenance on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (CET) 

1) Trick or Treat 

  • The <Trick or Treat> Attendance will be available. 
  • Check the In-game menu – Attendance to view your rewards. 

Event Rewards 

Category Daily Rewards Quantity 
Day 1 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 2 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 3 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 4 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 5 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 6 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 7 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 100 
Day 8 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 9 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 10 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 11 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 12 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 13 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 35 
Day 14 Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 100 

2) New event missions will be available under the [Season Mission] > [Event] tab. 

  • Upon completing the event missions listed below, you can earn event-exclusive currency. 
Achievement Name Mission Details Rewards Amount Mission Reset 
[Event] Abyss Hunt 10 monsters in Abyss Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 25 

Once per week per server 
[Event] Transcendence Clear Transcendence Dungeon 1 time Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 25 
[Event] Expedition Clear Expedition Conquest 1 time Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 25 
[Event] Ascension Trial Clear Ascension Trial 1 time Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 25 
[Event] Nightmare Clear 1 time (Any Stage) Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 25 
[Event] Log in Log in 3 times Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 30 
[Event] Obtain Gear Obtain 1 piece of Unique Gear Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 20 
[Event] Use a Scroll Use 5 Scrolls Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 20 
[Event] Dimensional Invasion Participate in Dimensional Invasion 1 time Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 20 
[Event] Shugo Festival Participate in Shugo Festival 1 time Halloween Pumpkin Coin (Event) 20 

3) An event-exclusive shop will open. 

  • A Coin Merchant NPC will be added to each town. 

Conquerors of the Abyss Event

  • Event Schedule

After scheduled maintenance on October 13, 2026 (Tue) (PDT) ~ Before scheduled maintenance on October 27, 2026 (Tue) (PDT) / After scheduled maintenance on October 14, 2026 (Wed) (CEST) ~ Before scheduled maintenance on October 28, 2026 (Wed) (CET) 

  • Event Details

During the event period, Abyss Rift Stones can be purchased with Kina from the Shop. 

These were the major highlights of the October 14 Aion 2 update. Fans can check out the full release notes by visiting the game’s official page.

Ubisoft RedLynx Closure Proposed, 70 Roles Cut at Singapore Studio

Aritra Patra
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Ubisoft RedLynx Closure Proposed, 70 Roles Cut at Singapore Studio

The Ubisoft RedLynx closure is now a proposal. Ubisoft told staff it wants to shut down its Finland studio, which would affect up to 52 positions. RedLynx made the Trials series and is not working on a new project. Ubisoft also said 70 positions are affected at Ubisoft Singapore. In total, up to 122 roles are impacted across both studios.

This article covers the details of the proposal, the Ubisoft statement, the history of RedLynx, and what happens next.

Ubisoft RedLynx Closure: What Ubisoft Has Proposed

Ubisoft has proposed closing RedLynx, its development studio in Finland. The plan would affect up to 52 positions. It is not final because it depends on the local change negotiation process in Finland.

The team is not working on a new project right now. Ubisoft also decided that resizing the studio alone would not keep it sustainable.

At Ubisoft Singapore, 70 positions are affected. Ubisoft said the move is meant “to align the studio with upcoming production needs.” The studio is not closing, and Ubisoft called it an important part of its global production organization.

Across both studios, up to 122 roles are impacted.

What Ubisoft Said in Its Statement

Ubisoft informed its teams about both changes on October 14, 2026. The company said it values the work of both teams and knows the impact on colleagues. It also said it will support staff through the process. Ubisoft plans to downsize the Singapore studio to make it more sustainable.

Ubisoft Singapore Layoffs

The 70 positions equal about one-fifth of the staff at Ubisoft Singapore. The studio is best known for Skull and Bones.

Unlike RedLynx, Ubisoft Singapore is not set to close. The Ubisoft Singapore layoffs follow the publisher’s wider restructuring of its development teams.

RedLynx and the Trials Series

RedLynx is a Finnish studio founded in 2000. It built its name with the Trials series.

Ubisoft acquired the studio in 2011, after the success of Trials HD on Xbox 360. The last Trials game from RedLynx was Trials Rising in 2019.

After that, the studio mostly supported other Ubisoft projects. It helped build the Snowdrop engine and worked on the Star Wars Outlaws port for Nintendo Switch 2.

Earlier Cuts at RedLynx

This is not the first round of cuts at the studio. In October 2025, Ubisoft proposed a restructuring that would reduce up to 60 positions at RedLynx. Most of those roles were in production and administration.

That plan also moved the studio toward mobile games, with two unannounced projects. The Snowdrop engine team was not affected at the time.

Ubisoft Restructuring in 2026

Ubisoft has been restructuring its business for some time. Its operating model now centers on five creative houses, following an announcement at the start of 2026.

The RedLynx and Singapore changes are the latest steps in that Ubisoft restructuring.

The RedLynx closure is still a proposal. It must go through the local change negotiation process in Finland before it becomes final. Ubisoft has said the 70 positions in Singapore are already impacted.

Somedieyoung Returns to Monte After 3 Years

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Somedieyoung Returns to Monte After 3 Years

Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev has completed his return to Monte, the Ukrainian esports organisation announced on X. Having enjoyed some memorable moments with the team in the past, the rifler returns to a trove of experience, looking to steer the ship in the right direction once again.

sdy Returns to Monte

Touted as one of the most gifted support players, sdy delivered some of his best rifling work for Monte during his first spell. While Monte were no tournament favourites, together with sdy, the team enjoyed some of its best performances in tier-1 Counter-Strike.

During his tenure, Monte reached the playoffs of the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, a landmark achievement in the organisation’s history. As Monte transitions to a younger roster, an experienced, familiar face will add the much-needed stability for the team to find balance in the big moments.

What does this reunion mean for Monte?

In all his years of playing Counter-Strike, sdy was never a star name. Rather, he did the dirty work from the shadows to enable the stars to do their thing. Following his departure, sdy established himself as an important player who brings experience, consistency, and tactical flexibility to the roster.

As Monte prepares to compete with a young roster, somedieyoung will serve as a mentor to guide the roster through the treacherous mountains of competitive CS2. Monte has not specified his role in the roster, but given his experience, he will likely take over some shot-calling duties or assume the role of the skipper.

Sdy’s signing is more of a strategic move than a reunion. Having moved away from Counter-Strike, this signing announces their return to the game. While we are yet to get the official word on the complete roster, we might have another underdog in the making. Only time can tell if this move will bring success back to Monte, but it serves as an interesting proposition.

Valve Revives TF2-Style Rocket Jumping with New Deadlock Update

Sonu Banerjee
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Valve Revives TF2-Style Rocket Jumping with New Deadlock Update

Valve has just ignited some serious nostalgia within the hearts of millions of gamers worldwide with the latest Deadlock update.

On October 13, 2026, the studio behind titles like CS2 and Dota 2 added a new hero, Deadman Danny, to Deadlock as part of the game’s City Never Sleeps rollout, and players immediately noticed the all-too-familiar mechanic of rocket jumping, straight out of Team Fortress 2. 

For the uninitiated, rocket jumping is a movement trick that was first popularised by TF2. The trick involves firing a rocket shell at the ground near your feet, or at a wall, and using the blast’s knockback to launch yourself through the air. It costs a bit of health, but it lets you reach higher altitudes than a regular jump while covering a bigger distance. This technique used to be a signature of TF2’s Soldier class, and mastering it would separate the rookies from the veterans.

Similar to the Soldier, Deadman Danny is also an explosive marksman who packs a rocket launcher as his primary weapon. The rest of Danny’s kit also doubles down on the same high-mobility, high-risk style. If you main Soldier in TF2, you’ll feel right at home.

Needless to say, it didn’t take long for the Deadlock community to take note of this mechanic and start using it to try and invent new movement tech. Players have already mapped aggressive aerial routes while calling the kit a clear spiritual successor to the Soldier’s classic rocket jumps.

This addition fits the broader pattern of the City Never Sleeps update, which has been steadily rolling out six new heroes (two per week) alongside implementing a plethora of other changes to the game. With Deadman Danny, Solomon, Baba, and the Rat King now live, only two heroes remain to ship out from the current batch.

If you haven’t had the chance to try out Deadlock yet, now might be a great time to start looking for invites.

GTA 6 PC Release Date Reportedly Set for Q1 2027

Aritra Patra
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0
GTA 6 PC Release Date Reportedly Set for Q1 2027

GTA 6 has no official PC release date yet. A GamesBeat report from October 13, 2026 says Rockstar plans a PC launch between January and March 2027, citing four industry sources. That clashes with Take-Two’s own fiscal 2027 release list, which shows GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S only. Consoles get the game on November 19.

Here is what the report says and how the gap compares with GTA 5. The report also touches on online play.

What the GamesBeat Report Says About GTA 6 on PC

GamesBeat published the report on October 13, 2026. It says Rockstar plans to release the PC version of GTA 6 in the first quarter of 2027. That window runs from January to March 2027.

The outlet cited four industry sources familiar with the studio’s plans. All four asked to stay anonymous so their business relationships are not harmed. A Rockstar Games representative did not respond to a request for comment before publication.

The console version launches on November 19, 2026. If the report is accurate, PC players would wait roughly 2 to 4 months after that date. Rockstar has not officially announced a PC version of GTA 6.

Does Take-Two’s Release List Back Up a Q1 2027 PC Launch?

Not yet. In May 2026, Take-Two published its fiscal 2027 product release table. That list covers every title the company plans to ship between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. It shows GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S only. There is no PC version on it.

A January to March 2027 PC release would fall inside that same fiscal year. So either the plan changed after May, or Take-Two left the PC version off on purpose until Rockstar announces it. Take-Two has said before that platform announcements come from Rockstar.

SourceWhat it saysDate
GamesBeat (4 sources)PC in Q1 2027Oct 13, 2026
Take-Two FY27 release tablePS5 and Xbox only until March 31, 2027May 2026
Leaker claim on XPC in February 2027April 2026

Take-Two’s next earnings call is the first place this could change. If the PC version shows up on an updated release list, the Q1 2027 report gets a lot stronger.

GTA 6 PC vs GTA 5: How Long Is the Gap?

GTA 5 launched on consoles in September 2013. Its PC version followed in April 2015, a wait of about 1 year and 7 months.

GTA 5GTA 6
Console releaseSeptember 2013November 19, 2026
PC releaseApril 2015Q1 2027 (reported)
GapAbout 19 monthsAbout 2 to 4 months

GamesBeat says the reported GTA 6 window is a much quicker turnaround than the one for GTA 5. The GTA 6 PC date is still unconfirmed, so the gap could change.

Why a PC Version Matters to Rockstar

GamesBeat notes that the GTA 5 player base leans heavily toward consoles. PC players make up a small minority. The outlet adds that GTA 6 has a rumored production budget above $2 billion, and PC players would widen its audience.

GTA 6 Online and Roleplay Servers

Rockstar has signaled plans to add user-generated content tools to GTA 6. In August 2023, it also acquired Cfx.re, the team behind the GTA 5 roleplay platform FiveM.

FiveM is a modification framework for the PC version of GTA 5. That means all roleplay activity on its servers happens on PC. GamesBeat says a PC release would therefore be a necessary step for that kind of activity in GTA 6.

Twitch CEO Dan Clancy spoke about online play in an interview at Tokyo Game Show. He said GTA 6 online will launch “next year.” Rockstar has not announced an official date for online play.

Earlier Rumors and Delays

This is not the first PC timing claim. In April 2026, a leaker claimed on X that Rockstar was aiming for February 2027. That claim was never verified.

Rockstar first announced a 2025 release window for GTA 6 in December 2023. It later moved the date to May 2026, then to November 19, 2026. Take-Two Interactive has reaffirmed the November 19 date during earnings calls this year.

According to the report, the PC version must meet the same quality bar as the console version before it goes live. Rockstar has not responded to the report.

Valorant Devs Announce Map Ratings and Performance Score Improvements for V26 Act 6

Sonu Banerjee
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Valorant Devs Announce Map Ratings and Performance Score Improvements for V26 Act 6

Riot Games has officially revealed the patch notes for the upcoming Valorant Season 2026 Act 6 update, and while we’re not getting the new Agent just yet, there’s still plenty to uncover in the new Act.

The Valorant V26A6 patch, or the 13.08 update, will introduce a bunch of improvements and changes to the game’s competitive system, including a fresh map pool, tweaks to the performance score metric, a revamped Corrode, and much more. There’s also a change to the game’s competitive map rotation, as we had reported earlier.

Without further ado, let’s check out everything you need to know about Valorant 13.08 ahead of its launch.

Valorant V26 Act 6 Release Date

Valorant V26 Act 6 update will go live on October 13, 2026, or October 14, 2026, based on your game region.

As usual, the Americas will be able to enjoy the new Valorant patch first, prior to EU and APAC.

Valorant V26 Act 6 Patch Notes Revealed: All Changes

Below, we have listed the detailed patch notes for the Valorant V26 Act 6 update, as revealed by Riot Games:

ALL PLATFORMS

GENERAL UPDATES

In a new effort to provide more transparency about the actions we’ve taken against problematic players in our community, we want to start sharing our penalty numbers more often. The numbers on the graph above reflect accounts who were fully banned from playing VALORANT for 3 days or longer in Act 5.

In Act 5’s detection period (August 18 to October 1), we banned:

  • 171,000+ cheaters
  • 54,000+ botters
  • 76,000+ for rank manipulation (boosters, boostees, hitchhikers, wintraders & others, numbers listed below)
  • 74,000+ for toxicity or comms abuse
  • 288,000+ for repeated AFK/gameplay abuse
  • 14,000+ for using streamsniping and/or instalocking tools

And we know we still have a lot of work to do, and we’ll keep you updated as we do it. 

More importantly, your reports help us improve our tooling and detection methods, so please continue to report in-game. Thank you!

AGENTS UPDATES

  • Killjoy Alarmbot projectile destruction VFX and audio feedback will now trigger when projectile is destroyed by moving doorways

CLIENT UPDATES

  • New Queue and Mode Select interface for matchmade and custom game types
  • We’ve added a navigation bar to Career to make it easier to navigate to feature pages, like Rank Legacy, Accolades, and Map Rating.

COMPETITIVE UPDATES 

  • Map Rating: Time to see if your favorite map is your best map.
    • Map Rating evaluates how your proficiency on a given map changes over time with a 0 to 500 rating and C to S letter grade. 
    • Your rating is based on four primary stats: Overall Win Rate, Attacker Win Rate, Defender Win Rate, and Performance Score.
      • Recent matches contribute more to your rating and stats than older matches. 
      • Improving any of these stats can increase your rating.
    • You can see your rating, stats, and other features, like your Top Agents in Agent Select, End of Game, and Career.
      • Other players are not able to see information about your Map Rating.
    • Map Rating is available for Competitive and Premier.
    • Everyone starts fresh with the Map Rating launch – historical match data will not count.
  • Performance Score Updates
    • Performance Score has been doing a great job at better valuing the contributions of different agents and roles, while still recognizing the value of fragging. At launch, Performance Score and ACS aligned on Match MVP ~70% of the time, which was in-line with our expectations given the additional factors measured in Performance Score. However, we noticed some edge cases where it felt like we overswung our measurement of those additional factors. To reduce these edge cases we made some adjustments that went live during 13.06.
      • Increased the score impact of Damage, Adjusted Kills, and Adjusted Deaths. These adjusted metrics include both First Bloods and First Deaths.
      • Made Chamber specific adjustments that better reflect his utility use.

MAP UPDATES

  • CORRODE MAP UPDATE
    • Happy belated birthday, Corrode! After more than a year of watching games and gathering data, we’ve identified a few areas we’d like to improve.
    • A Site and B Site — Defender Paths
      • Rotations have been taking too long. While rotation times vary across maps, Corrode’s have been making it especially difficult for defenders to get back into the action for a retake. So we’ve adjusted Defender spawn pathing towards site to help Defenders safely rotate a bit faster.
        • Adjusted Defender paths into the back of A Site and B Site to shorten rotations and help with retakes.

  • Mid
    • Mid has felt like a bit of a brawl, and we want fights here to be more predictable for both sides. Attackers currently funnel through a single choke into Lower Mid, where defenders can slow their progress by spamming the half wall. We’re adjusting the wall and nearby cover to give attackers more room to work with and better options to move toward A Link.
      • Changed the Mid half wall to metal and moved it out 1 meter to reduce wall spam and allow attackers to sneak into A Link without being seen from Top Mid.
      • Moved the boxes at the back of Lower Mid toward B and added a jump-up.
      • Raised the wall in Lower Mid to prevent players from peeking over it from the relocated boxes.

  • A Site — Plant Zone
    • Adjusted the A Site plant zone to make playing post-plant from A Link less effective.
  • MAP POOL UPDATES
    • BIND and CORRODE are IN the COMPETITIVE and DEATHMATCH queues.
    • ASCENT and SPLIT are OUT of the COMPETITIVE and DEATHMATCH queues.

BUG FIXES

  • Competitive
    • Fixed an issue where the threshold shown for the Masterful accolade was incorrect. 
  • Gameplay Systems
    • Fixed an issue where alternate footstep sounds would sometimes not play while a character was in Fog of War
    • Fixed an issue where bodyfall audio events would fail to play at proper location when agents died while in Fog of War
    • Fixed an issue where gun bounce audio events would sometimes not trigger as expected
  • Weapons
    • Fix for Warden scope reticle misalignment during full auto fire

KNOWN ISSUES

  • Competitive
    • We’re aware of a visual bug where Team MVP doesn’t correctly show in Match History. We’re currently working on a fix.
  • Range in Queue
    • We’re aware of an issue that was putting some players into a bugged queue state while using the Practice Range, which led to us disabling the feature. We’re currently testing a fix and hope to have it to you all ASAP.

Is Chapter 7 the Last Chapter of Fortnite?

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Is Chapter 7 the Last Chapter of Fortnite?

With rumours of Fortnite 2 floating around, players have asked whether Chapter 7 is where Fortnite concludes. While there can be some truth to the rumours, the reality is far from what many believe.

In this article, we will try to understand the rumours and what they can mean for the future of one of the biggest Battle Royale games in the world.

Is Fortnite Ending After Chapter 7?

At the time of writing, there is no official word from Epic Games surrounding the conclusion of Fortnite or the release of Fortnite 2. Given the historical timelines, we are expecting Chapter 8 to release between November 28 and December 5, 2026. Chapter 8 will bring new gameplay elements, content, and features, but the details are yet to be confirmed by the developers.

Given the success Fortnite enjoys at the moment, Epic is highly unlikely to discontinue and release a new version of the game. A highly likely alternative is the existing game getting a major update that brings significant aesthetic, mechanical, and performance improvements.

Why Are Players Talking About Fortnite 2?

The rumours were fuelled by a cryptic post on X from Epic Games executive Chris, also known as EpicTofuChris. His post does not specify a launch of the new game but rather a celebration of the decade-long success of the existing one. Fans suggested it could be hinting at the release of a new game, but nothing of the sort was explicitly confirmed.

Epic Games is expected to plan something big for the 10th anniversary of Fortnite, but it will likely be interesting collabs, major gameplay updates, or new skins. A brand new game is too far-fetched to think about at the time, but should they choose to release one, it will be warmly welcomed by the fans.

Fortnite 2 is an interesting proposition that might see the game get the necessary optimisations for modern hardware, but Epic is more likely to do it for the current version of the game. Major updates like a new game engine might be on the cards, but everything suggests that Season 8 will succeed Season 7, and the 10th anniversary will be celebrated with new skins, game modes, events, and collaborations.

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