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Steam Controller Release Date Leaked

Aritra Patra
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Steam Controller Release Date Leaked

A leaked review has reportedly revealed the Steam Controller release date, pointing to a launch as early as next week.

Japanese gaming outlet 4Gamer briefly published a review of the Steam Controller before pulling it down. The page now shows as “hidden,” but it was already indexed by Google, allowing parts of the text to be read.

According to the review, the Steam Controller will release in Japan on May 4, 2026, at 3 PM JST. The date listed was specific to Japan, so it is not confirmed whether the same window applies to North America or Europe.

Cached versions of the article and translations still point to the same date, lending the leak some credibility.

This is the second embargo break in a short span. Earlier this week, a separate review revealed the Steam Controller price at $99. The 4Gamer piece added a release date to what was already known.

Release Times by Region

If the 3 PM JST launch time from the 4Gamer review is accurate, here is how that converts across major regions:

RegionLocal TimeDate
North America (PT)11:00 PMMay 3
North America (ET)2:00 AMMay 4
UK (BST)7:00 AMMay 4
Europe (CEST)8:00 AMMay 4
Japan (JST)3:00 PMMay 4
Australia (AEDT)4:00 PMMay 4

These times are based on the leaked review and have not been confirmed by Valve.

Before the 4Gamer article went down, users managed to save a full gallery of HD images from the preview. The photos show size comparisons of the Steam Controller against the Xbox Series X|S controller and the PlayStation 5 DualSense. The Valve hardware is noticeably larger, built to accommodate its dual trackpad design.

The images confirm what the first leaked review noted: the Steam Controller does not have textured grips, meaning the surface is smooth all around. One reviewer described it as “slippery” and listed it as a main complaint.

The photos also confirm the Steam Controller does not have removable joysticks or hair triggers, features found on the Xbox Elite Controller and PS5 Dual Edge.

As of writing, Valve has not opened pre-orders for the Steam Controller. If the May 4 date holds, the company has very little time to announce pricing pages, pre-order windows, and regional availability. Both the price and release date leaks look credible, but Valve has yet to officially confirm either.

Arc Raiders Riven Tides Update: Details, Release Date, Time, and More

Sonu Banerjee
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Arc Raiders Riven Tides Update: Details, Release Date, Time, and More

The highly anticipated Arc Raiders Riven Tides update is just around the corner, and itโ€™s all set to introduce a bunch of exciting new content to the extraction shooter.

The Riven Tides update follows the Flashpoint update that took the Arc Raiders community by storm in March 2026. It will mark the departure of the third Arc Raiders Expedition, and is also expected to be the biggest update that the Embark Studios title has seen to date.

In this article, weโ€™ll take a look at everything you need to know about the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update, including all the confirmed content so far, its release date, and more.

Arc Raiders Riven Tides Update: All New Content

As officially confirmed in the Arc Raiders developer roadmap revealed earlier this year, the Riven Tides update will bring the following new content to the game:

  • A brand-new map
  • New large ARC enemy
  • New major map condition
  • Expedition window

The new map is expected to be the first coastal map in Arc Raiders, while the new Arc enemy is likely to be the infamous Bishop. Details on the major map condition remain unconfirmed at the time of writing.

Alongside the aforementioned new content, fans can also expect new quests, items, cosmetics, various quality-of-life changes, and other additions in the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update, although not much has been confirmed as of yet.

Arc Raiders Riven Tides Update: Release Date and Time

As already confirmed by Embark Studios, the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update will officially hit the live servers on April 28, 2026, at 2:00 AM PDT.

Below, we have listed the release times for the update across various regions throughout the globe:

RegionTimeTime Zone
Los Angeles (USA)2:00 AMPDT
New York (USA)5:00 AMEDT
London (UK)10:00 AMBST
Paris (France)11:00 AMCEST
Berlin (Germany)11:00 AMCEST
Moscow (Russia)12:00 PMMSK
Dubai (UAE)1:00 PMGST
Mumbai (India)2:30 PMIST
Singapore5:00 PMSGT
Tokyo (Japan)6:00 PMJST
Sydney (Australia)7:00 PMAEST
Auckland (New Zealand)9:00 PMNZST

Thatโ€™s everything you need to know about the upcoming Arc Raiders Riven Tides update.

Counter-Strike Legend PashaBiceps Sells Iconic Knife for $21,000, Donates Entire Amount to Charity

Sonu Banerjee
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Counter-Strike Legend PashaBiceps Sells Iconic Knife for $21,000, Donates Entire Amount to Charity

Legendary Counter-Strike player Jarosล‚aw “pashaBiceps” Jarzฤ…bkowski has sold his iconic knife skin for over $21,100 USD, and he has donated every single penny to charity.

The Polish CS icon, who originally rose to fame during Virtus.pro’s dominant run in the CS:GO era, listed his in-game knife skin, the iconic Factory New Karambit Fade, and managed to sell it for PLN 76500. pasha wasted no time in donating the full sum to those in need, keeping nothing for himself.

As confirmed by the retired CS2 veteran in an X post, the entirety of the $21,100 USD has been donated to a childrenโ€™s cancer charity in Poland.

โ€œThe most iconic knife in CS just became even more special,โ€ the former VP star said, while also urging the esports community to do their part for the cause.

โ€œThe stream is still live for over an hour, so letโ€™s keep the momentum going and continue donating. Letโ€™s show that the esports family has real power!โ€

The move was met with widespread praise and admiration across social media, with CS2 fans throughout the globe flooding the comments section with love.

The Karambit Fade is not only one of the most sought-after knives in the game but also carries years of history and sentiment, making its $21,100 price tag a reflection of both its rarity and the deep affection the community holds for pasha’s legacy. The fact that he chose to give it all away only adds to that legacy.

The fundraiser was part of ลatwogang’s nine-day nonstop charity livestream, launched on April 17, 2026, with an initial goal of 500,000 zล‚oty, a milestone that was reached almost instantly.

By the time the charity stream ended, over 250 million zล‚oty, which equates to roughly $69 million USD, had been raised, with more than 1.6 million peak concurrent viewers. It shattered the previous Guinness World Record for charity fundraising during a live broadcast, which was set in France in 2025 at $19.5 million USD.

15 Twitch Accounts Suspended for Streaming Russian College CS2 event

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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15 Twitch Accounts Suspended for Streaming Russian College CS2 event

Amazon-owned streaming giant, Twitch, has banned 15 accounts after they streamed a Counter-Strike 2 tournament being held in a Russian college, violating EU sanctions imposed against Alabuga Polytech following the ongoing conflict with Russia.

According to the report, the banned accounts were directly streaming the Counter Strike 2 tournament held in Alabuga Polytech, an institution that has drawn scrutiny due to alleged links with Russia’s war against Ukraine. Reports suggest that the college falls under EU sanctions, which is what prompted Twitch to enforce the ban to comply with geopolitical regulations and digital safety standards.

Students from Alabuga Polytech are reportedly being recruited to assemble Iranian Shahed attack drones under a Russian military division, Geranium-2. While the event in itself had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict, Twitch is under severe pressure from the supervising bodies to comply, which has sparked a debate in the online forums regarding the scope of these sanctions.

The move signals Twitchโ€™s commitment to enforcing the community guidelines and complying with international regulations. Reports hint at 30 days for the 15 accounts in question. However, Twitch has yet to officially cite the reason for the suspension.

Not only does this move weaken the backbone of the Russian gaming industry, but moving forward, players in the lower leagues will be unable to showcase their talent on the world’s stage, especially with a risk of sanctions hanging over their heads. At the same time, tournament organizers will also start to distance themselves from hosting events, fearing strict action against them.

Team HIND wins FFMIC 2026 Spring

Aditya Parsutkar
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Team HIND wins FFMIC 2026 Spring

The Free Fire MAX India Cup (FFMIC) 2026 Spring Grand Finals have ended with Team HIND lifting the trophy after a dominant performance. Fireeyes Gaming becomes the runner-up of the tournament, followed by Total Gaming Esports and Godlike Esports. With this win, they are now the FFMIC 2026 winner and have qualified for the FFMAI 2026 Spring Main Event, while the #2 to #9 teams secured Play-ins slots.

Team HIND becomes FFMIC 2026 winners

WinnersTeam HIND
Runner upFireeyes Gaming
2nd Runner upTotal Gaming Esports
MVPWolvin

Team HIND, featuring players like KD, Sahil, Wolvin, Shoto, and Louis, dominated the FFMIC 2026 Grand Finals and lifted the title. Despite a struggling start, the team made a strong comeback when it mattered the most and took control in the Champion Rush stage. In the eighth match, Team HIND secured a crucial Booyah to officially win the championship.

With this victory, the team claimed the title along with a prize money of โ‚น3,500,000. They have also secured a slot in the Free Fire MAX Asia Invitational (FFMIA) 2026 Spring, marking a big achievement for the roster.

Fireeyes Gaming, featuring Prinxz, Troll, Jack07, and Bunny, also delivered a strong performance and finished in second place. Total Gaming Esports secured the third position, while Godlike Esports also impressed with a solid run in the Grand Finals.

MVP of the Tournament

One of the standout performers of the event was Wolvin from Team Hind, who earned the FFMIC 2026 MVP award. The player played a key role in the teamโ€™s success with consistent eliminations, clutch moments, and impactful gameplay across both days. Their performance in the final matches, especially during Champion Rush, helped Team HIND secure the title.

Read More: Garena Announces FFMAI 2026 Spring, Second Edition of Asia Invitational

FFMIC 2026 Prize Pool Distribution

Winner โ€“ Team HIND

Godlike Esports finished in first place and won โ‚น3,500,000 from the total FFMIC 2026 prize pool. They also secured a direct slot in the FFMAI 2026 Spring Main Stage.

Runner-up โ€“ Fireeyes Gaming

The runner-up team showed excellent gameplay and remained a strong contender throughout the finals. They secured โ‚น1,700,000 prize money and finished second in the Free Fire MAX esports India event.

3rd Place โ€“ Total Gaming Esports

The third-placed team delivered a solid performance across both days. They earned โ‚น7,00,000 and proved to be one of the top teams in the tournament.

The FFMIC 2026 Grand Finals delivered high-quality matches and intense action for fans. With top teams competing, the event showcased the best of Free Fire MAX esports India.

Now, all eyes will be on the FFMAI 2026 Spring Main Stage, where qualified teams will battle for bigger titles and rewards.

Jonathan Gaming Meets Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Esports Growth

Pranav Nalawade
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Jonathan Gaming Meets Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Esports Growth

Jonathan Jude Amaral, the BGMI player most fans simply call Jonathan, just took his ambitions for Indian esports somewhere most pro gamers never go: a closed-door meeting with Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister. Less than two weeks after launching his own organization, Team Apex Gaming, the 23-year-old met with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Cabinet Minister Sanjay Rathod to talk about where competitive gaming in India goes next.

Jonathan shared photos from the meeting on his broadcast channel, calling it an honour and saying they had what he described as a meaningful discussion on the growing potential of esports and gaming in India. He also showcased Team Apex Gaming and explored avenues for future collaboration. His sign-off: “Positive about what the future holds.”

Why This Meeting Matters Right Now

The timing isn’t accidental. India enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROG Act), which formally recognizes esports as a legitimate sport under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Game publishers now have a 90-day window to register titles as recognized esports, and the government has committed to building training academies, research centres, and incentive schemes for competitive gaming.

For someone who just stepped into a founder’s role, walking into the DCM’s office at this moment is smart positioning. Maharashtra is home to Mumbai, where Team Apex Gaming is headquartered, and any state-level esports infrastructure push will likely run through this office.

The Jonathan Story Behind the Meeting

Jonathan isn’t a random pro player getting a courtesy meeting. He spent over four years as the face of GodLike Esports after joining in August 2021 as part of the former TSM Entity core, alongside Neyoo, ZGOD, ClutchGod, and coach Ghatak. In January 2026, he took home three trophies at the inaugural Krafton India Awards โ€” Influencer of the Year, Favourite Creator (Male), and Favourite Esports Player.

Then in April 2026, after being benched during BGIS 2026, he left GodLike and launched Team Apex Gaming with the hashtag #TAGonTOP. The roster reportedly includes Jelly, Hydro, KioLmao, and Harsh from True Rippers. Shreeman Legend has joined as a content creator. The team is expected to debut at BMPS 2026.

Sanjay Rathod’s Presence Is Worth Noting

Cabinet Minister Sanjay Rathod, who currently holds the Soil and Water Conservation portfolio and represents Digras in Yavatmal, is a five-term MLA and a senior Shiv Sena leader from Vidarbha. His attendance at the meeting suggests this wasn’t just a photo-op, it was a working conversation.

What Could Actually Happen Next

Watch for three things. First, whether Maharashtra announces specific esports infrastructure or funding initiatives. Second, whether Team Apex Gaming gets named in any state-backed gaming program.

The meeting happened. The photos are public. Whether it translates into actual policy support or stays at handshake level is the question worth tracking.

Fortnite x Ben 10 Crossover: All Skins, Price, Release Date, and More

Sonu Banerjee
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Fortnite x Ben 10 Crossover: All Skins, Price, Release Date, and More

Whether youโ€™re a millennial or a zoomer, chances are youโ€™ve spent a good portion of your childhood watching Ben Tennyson slap that Omnitrix and shouting “It’s hero time!” before taking down dangerous villains.

Epic Games is letting players relive that nostalgia by officially confirming a Fortnite x Ben 10 collaboration, bringing the iconic cartoon hero into the battle royale for a crossover that fans have been asking for years.

The Fortnite x Ben 10 crossover brings characters from the beloved TV show to the Epic Games title, enabling players to fight their way to the victory royale while playing as their childhood heroes.

Fortnite Ben 10 Skins Release Date

The limited-time Ben 10 skins were officially added to the Fortnite Item Shop on April 24, 2026, at 8 PM ET.

Players will have until May 4, 2026, to grab their favorite cosmetics from the collection before theyโ€™re gone for good.

Fortnite x Ben 10 Skins

Players will be able to get the following skins as part of the Fortnite x Ben 10 crossover:

  • Ben Tennyson (Outfit)
  • Gwen Tennyson (Outfit)
  • Azmuth (Back Bling)
  • Gwenโ€™s Grimoire (Back Bling)
  • Omnitrix Pick (Pickaxe)
  • Mana Orbs (Pickaxe)
  • Omnitrix Upgrade (Wrap)
  • Omnitrix Activated (Emote)
  • Anodite Evolution (Emote)

Note that both Ben and Gwen can transform mid-game into their alien counterparts.

How to Get Ben 10 Skins in Fortnite

Getting the Ben 10 skins in Fortnite is a pretty straightforward process. Simply follow the steps below to get yours:

  • Launch Fortnite.
  • From the main lobby, head to the Item Shop tab located at the top of your screen.
  • Look for the Ben 10 section in the Item Shop.
  • Select the Ben 10 bundle or the individual cosmetics that you wish to purchase.
  • Press and hold the Purchase button.
  • Finish the checkout process.

Once you finish the purchase, the Ben 10 skins will automatically be added to your Fortnite Locker. Now, all you need to do is equip them and hop on a game to try them out.

Fortnite x Ben 10 Skins Price

The Ben 10 skin costs 2,000 V-Bucks in the Item Shop, while the Gwen Tennyson skin is priced at 1,800 V-Bucks. Players also have the option to get the full Ben 10 bundle at 4,000 V-Bucks to get a discount on the included cosmetics.

As always with Fortnite, buying the bundle is a much better deal if you want the complete set. If you only care about one character, grabbing them individually can make more sense.

Valve’s Latest CS2 Update Makes Animgraph Smoother

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Valve’s Latest CS2 Update Makes Animgraph Smoother

Valve has rolled out a fresh update for Counter-Strike 2, focusing heavily on its newly implemented AnimGraph 2, which improves stability, animations, and several micro-updates across the game to improve quality of life.

The highlight of the update is the improved animation for the character, implemented with the new AnimGraph system, which drastically improves their consistency when interacting with other objects on the map. Players can now expect better synchronisation between character models and hitboxes, making the hit registration more accurate than before.

Along with the update comes several weapon-related bug fixes that improve micro issues like weapon draw animation and firing mechanics, making the overall game feel more consistent with animation behavior in both first and third person perspectives.

Here are the official Patch Notes:

[ ANIMGRAPH 2 ]

  • Fixed XM1014 shells flickering when starting a reload.
  • Fixed bugs with dual berettas in first person and in spectator mode.
  • Fixed inspect/cancel causing multiple worldmodel deploys.
  • Fixed a bug where players can get stuck in a planted-turn state.
  • Made foot IK transitions smoother.
  • Adjusted the firstperson in-air crouch transition time to match the thirdperson animation better.
  • Fixed a case where high frequency stutter steps would cause large pose changes.
  • Fixed a case where legs would snap when quickly stopping and then continuing in same direction.
  • Adjusted thirdperson bomb plant animation to more closely match firstperson animation.
  • Minor adjustments to viewmodel animations.

[ MISC ]

  • Fixed random crash on startup when a non-default Audio Device was specified in settings or when sound_device_override was specified in a config file or on the command line.
  • Adjusted official map guides to match new surface smoothing.
  • Dropped weapons with silencers now correctly reflect the silenced state.

CS2 Cache Release Date: When is the Legendary Map Returning?

Sonu Banerjee
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CS2 Cache Release Date: When is the Legendary Map Returning?

The release of Cache in Counter-Strike 2 has been all but confirmed, with a growing number of teasers and subtle hints pointing toward the return of one of the most iconic Counter-Strike maps of all time.

But when exactly is Cache coming to CS2? With the community eagerly awaiting its comeback and ready to ride a wave of nostalgia from the CS:GO era, now is the perfect time to break down everything we know so far and take a look at the potential release date of Cache in CS2 based on the latest clues.

In this article, weโ€™ll go through everything you need to know about Cache before its return while also taking a look at its release date in CS2.

Valve Officially Teases Cache Return

Over the past week, Valve has dropped a series of teasers pointing towards the addition of Cache to the CS2 map pool.

The first major teaser came in the form of a banner change of the official CS2 X handle. On April 22, 2026, Valve changed the banner of the CS2 X handle to a cryptic image without any prior announcements.

It didnโ€™t take long for the community to figure out that the new banner image showcased the zebra pattern near the T-Spawn of the fan-favorite map, Cache.

Following this banner change, speculations within the community ran rampant about the potential release of Cache in CS2. These speculations were further fueled by what Valve did next.

Only a day later, the CS2 X handle made a post, asking the community, โ€œWhat are you doing next week?โ€

This kind of cryptic social media teasing is a tried-and-true move from Valve’s playbook. For instance, a week before releasing CS2 itself, Valve had posted a similar Tweet on its X handle.

However, it wasn’t just the words in the latest CS2 X post that set the internet ablaze. Attached to the post was a highlight reel of iconic plays, all of which took place on the legendary map Cache. The video ended with Cache’s iconic map logo, leaving very little room for doubt.

CS2 Cache Release Date

This brings us to the question: What is the release date for Cache in CS2?

At this point, Valve has all but confirmed it’s happening, and the only real question is the precise date.

To understand the exact Cache release date in CS2, we first have to look at how a previous map launch played out.

When Train was being brought back into the CS2 map pool, Valve did a similar tease. The CS2 profile banner was updated on November 5th to a cryptic image from the map, and Train went live just nine days later on November 14th.

This time around, the CS2 X banner was swapped out for an image of Cache’s T-spawn on April 22, 2026. If Valve follows the same timeline, Cache should return to CS2 by May 1, 2026.

Note that the date isnโ€™t set in stone, and there hasnโ€™t been any official announcement confirming Cacheโ€™s CS2 release date at the time of writing.

Currently, all signs point to Cache landing in CS2 somewhere between April 29 and May 1, 2026. At this stage, it’s less a question of if and more a question of which day next week.

Cache is expected to be released into standard Competitive matchmaking first for a testing period, before eventually making its way into Premier, with its full Active Duty debut likely coming after the IEM Cologne Major in June 2026.

CS2 FACEIT Ranking System Explained: Levels, Elo & Seasonal Reset Guide

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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CS2 FACEIT Ranking System Explained: Levels, Elo & Seasonal Reset Guide

FACEIT is arguably the most popular Counter-Strike 2 platform, which practices a ranking system that is largely different from the in-game modes like Premier or Competitive. Understanding how the FACEIT ranking system works is extremely important if you are expecting to get serious with the game of Counter-Strike, given how the community values your ranking in FACEIT more than Premier.

FACEIT uses an Elo-based ranking system similar to other competitive modes, but in a more transparent fashion. Players are given a default Elo usually around 1000 when they create a FACEIT account, and the results of the matches they play determine how that number changes.

To put it simply, winning a match gives you Elo, and losing one takes it away. The amount gained or lost depends on the average Elo of the teams. Beating a team with a higher Average Elo will give you a higher reward, and losing to the same opponent will give you a softer penalty.

The ELO Ratings Explained

Photo via FACEIT

FACEIT Elo values aren’t just numbers. They translate to levels that give us an idea about the skill level of the player. Ranking from Level 1 (lowest) to Level 10 (Highest), each level corresponds to a specific Elo range, which is as follows:

  • Level 1: 100 โ€“ 500 Elo
  • Level 2: 501 โ€“ 750 Elo
  • Level 3: 751 โ€“ 900 Elo
  • Level 4: 901 โ€“ 1050 Elo
  • Level 5: 1051 โ€“ 1200 Elo
  • Level 6: 1201 โ€“ 1350 Elo
  • Level 7: 1351 โ€“ 1530 Elo
  • Level 8: 1531 โ€“ 1750 Elo
  • Level 9: 1751 โ€“ 2000 Elo
  • Level 10: 2001+ Elo

Seasonal Reset Explained

FACEIT has freshly introduced a Seasonal Reset system to keep the competitive environment fresh and fair. When a new Season starts, players are hit with a soft Elo reset, pushing them closer to the average, especially the ones who have played fewer matches compared to regular players. This helps keep the ranking fair and competitive, allowing active players to climb and get paired with other players of a similar skill level.

Once a new Season starts, players must play 10 matches to unlock their new rank. Their performance determines how hard the soft Elo reset affects them. The more matches they win, the less Elo penalty they receive, keeping the Elo-based ranking system fair, especially for active players.

The resets are also linked to the seasonal leaderboard, rewards, and tournament qualification paths, which encourage players to play consistently to maximise rewards and maintain the stability of the ranking system.

FACEIT’s ranking system is built around a more transparent progression method that is directly dependent on Elo, ensuring long-term competitiveness. The path to climb up the ranks is straightforward with little to no ambiguity, allowing players to be fairly rewarded, unlike Premier or matchmaking.

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