Arguably the most anticipated AAA title of all time, GTA 6 could cost as much as $100 making it the highest base price for any video game launched by Rockstar or any other developer.
GTA 6 has been in development for over a decade and as things stand, Rockstar will release the game later this year for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S while the wait will continue for PC gamers. While Rockstar promised a reasonable price earlier, Epyllion CEO Matthew Ball suggested that it could be priced as high as $100 to battle the development costs and inflation.
Ball claimed that with an average price of $91 adjusted for inflation, GTA 6 would be the “cheapest” game in the franchise if it were priced at $70. Goes without saying that there is more than a decade’s worth of difference between the two games so a crazy price should not come as a surprise.
Releasing a game for $100 will not only set new pricing standards for the gaming industry, but if the game fails to deliver, its high price might backfire and we will have nothing but one of the biggest debacles in the video game industry.
While Rockstar has gone silent about how far along the game has come as the release date approaches. Only time will tell how Rockstar price their biggest game ever but hoping for it to match the current industry standard might not be the best thing to do.
The recent Marvel Rivals update brought several additions, including a new game mode and the return of popular skins. However, some PC players are encountering an unfortunate roadblock – the “Failed to Connect to Steam” error (code 211).
As a live-service game, Marvel Rivals experiences updates and occasional maintenance, making connectivity hiccups an unfortunate reality. While frustrating, these issues are usually addressable. This guide will help you overcome the “Failed to Connect to Steam” error and rejoin the game.
How to Fix Marvel Rivals Error Code 211?
Code 211 signifies that Marvel Rivals cannot establish a connection with Steam, preventing you from launching the game. This can stem from various factors, including server issues, internet connectivity problems, or software conflicts.
Follow the steps mentioned below to fix the issue:
Check Server Status: Before diving into local troubleshooting, confirm that the Marvel Rivals servers are operational.
Visit the official Marvel Rivals server status hub or the Marvel Rivals X account for the latest updates.
If maintenance is in progress or the servers are experiencing widespread issues, patiently await their restoration.
Assess Your Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is crucial for connecting to Steam.
Run a speed test to evaluate your internet speed and stability.
If your connection is slow or unreliable, restart your router or modem.
Consider switching to a wired connection for enhanced stability.
Disable Potential Interference: Certain software or settings on your PC can interfere with Marvel Rivals’ connection to Steam.
Disable any server blockers, mods, or third-party software that might be interfering with the game’s anti-cheat mechanisms.
Remember that even seemingly unrelated software can sometimes cause conflicts.
Verify Game Files: Corrupted or missing game files can lead to connectivity issues.
Open your Steam Library.
Right-click on Marvel Rivals and select “Properties.”
Navigate to the “Local Files” tab and click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
Steam will scan your game files and automatically replace any corrupted or missing ones.
Contact Support: If the above steps fail to resolve the issue, reach out to Marvel Rivals support.
Visit the official Marvel Rivals Discord channel to contact their support team.
Provide them with a detailed description of the error and any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
By following these steps, you should be able to overcome the “Failed to Connect to Steam” error.
Skyesports, an Indian esports tournament organizer, recently announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated event, Skyesports Souvenir 2025. This decision has sparked significant criticism within the esports community, notably from Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, a respected commentator and analyst.
SPUNJ’s Critique of Skyesports’ Decision
During a recent episode of HLTV Confirmed, SPUNJ did not hold back his disapproval of Skyesports’ handling of the event. He accused the organizer of mismanaging the tournament’s planning and unjustly attributing the cancellation to Valve, the developer of Counter-Strike. SPUNJ emphasized that such abrupt cancellations disrupt the competitive calendar and waste valuable time for participating teams.
He stated, “If you are scheduling events in advance and then cancelling within a couple of months of the event being announced, you’re a f*g dog. That’s what I call people on FACEIT, and that’s what I am going to call the TOs that do this.”
Speculations on the Cancellation
Fellow analysts on the show speculated that the cancellation might stem from Skyesports’ challenges in attracting top-tier teams. They suggested that the organizer’s attempt to introduce wildcard entries may not have aligned with Valve’s event criteria, leading to the event’s cancellation due to business considerations.
The panel also discussed the potential repercussions for Skyesports’ upcoming events, particularly the Skyesports Masters 2025 scheduled for May. Given its timing before a major tournament and a substantial prize pool of $500,000, there are concerns about the event’s viability and the likelihood of attracting top-tier teams.
The cancellation has broader implications for the Tier 2 esports scene. Such decisions can undermine opportunities for emerging teams, especially if tournaments meant to provide exposure are abruptly called off. SPUNJ remarked on Valve’s likely disappointment in such situations, suggesting that while the developer may not impose direct penalties, there would be a sense of disapproval affecting future opportunities for the organizers.
Skyesports’ cancellation of the Souvenir 2025 event has elicited strong reactions from the esports community. The critiques highlight the importance of reliable event planning and the potential consequences of sudden cancellations on both the competitive calendar and the development of emerging teams.
On January 22, 2025 HoYoverse released update 1.5 named “Astra-nomical Moment” for its game Zenless Zone Zero. In this update players will find new additions along with redeem codes that convert to useful rewards within the game.
Active Redeem Codes for January 2025:
ASTRANOMICAL: Earn 300 Polychromes alongside 30,000 Dennies with two Senior Investigator Logs and three W-Engine Energy Modules when you redeem your code.
ZZZFM: Receive 1 Ether Battery, 2 Senior Investigator Logs, 3 W-Engine Energy Modules, 3 Ether Plating Agents plus 50,000 Dennies when you redeem ZZZGFN24.
ZZZGFN24: The ZZZGFN24 code converts to 3 Official Investigator Logs, 3 W-Engine Power Supplies, and 20,000 Dennies.
ZZZASSEMBLE: Redeem for 30 Polychromes.MIYABIRELEASE: Redeem for 60 Polychromes.
HARUMASAFREE: Redeem for 50 Polychromes.
ZENLESSGIFT: Earn your bundle of 50 Polychromes along with 2 Official Investigator Logs, 3 W-Engine Power Supplies and an exclusive Bangboo Algorithm Module.
HSAHLWFEFE: Claim 60 Polychromes plus 6,666 Dennies by redeeming this code.
How to redeem Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 codes
Start Zenless Zone Zero and sign into the game.
From the main menu pick the “More” option.
Choose the “Redemption Code” selection from the menu.
Type your code and hit confirm.
You can find your rewards inside your in-game mail which you access from the “More” tab.
Official Website Redemption:
Head over to the Zenless Zone Zero code redemption website.
Sign into your account to access features.
Select your game server.
Enter the code and submit.
Your game mail will receive the rewards.
Users must use their redemption codes straight away because some have limited availability. Stay updated with new codes by monitoring Zenless Zone Zero official platforms.
Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek, a prominent figure in the gaming community, has recently expressed a profound interest in establishing an esports organization dedicated exclusively to Marvel Rivals. This enthusiasm stems from his deep appreciation for the game, which he has been actively streaming during his ongoing “Fragathon” charity event.
During a recent broadcast, Shroud shared his thoughts on the game’s potential and his personal connection to it, stating,
“I might have to set a donation goal for this number to hit something, and I will make an org for Marvel Rivals only. I might be playing this game for the rest of my life. I genuinely might be playing this game for the rest of my life.”
This statement underscores his commitment to the game and hints at a future where he might channel his resources and expertise into fostering a competitive team within the Marvel Rivals esports scene.
Marvel Rivals, developed by NetEase Games, has rapidly gained traction in the gaming world. Within 72 hours of its release, the 6v6 hero shooter amassed over 10 million players globally, a number that doubled in just nine days. The game achieved a peak of 480,990 concurrent players on Steam on December 8, 2024, and as of January 6, 2025, it maintained over 330,000 concurrent players, solidifying its position as one of the most popular games on the platform.
The burgeoning popularity of Marvel Rivals has also caught the attention of the esports community. Twitch, a leading live streaming platform, recently hosted a $200,000 tournament, further cementing the game’s potential as a staple in competitive gaming.
Shroud’s contemplation of forming a dedicated esports organization for Marvel Rivals is not his first venture into the competitive gaming arena. In 2022, he made headlines by joining Sentinels’ Valorant roster, marking a significant return to professional esports. His extensive experience as a former professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player and a top-tier streamer positions him uniquely to influence and shape the competitive landscape of Marvel Rivals.
While Shroud’s remarks about creating a Marvel Rivals esports organization were made during a live stream and may have been partly in jest, the gaming community has responded with enthusiasm. Many fans are hopeful that his passion for the game will translate into tangible contributions to its competitive scene.
As Marvel Rivals continues to grow and attract a diverse player base, the involvement of high-profile figures like Shroud could play a pivotal role in its evolution within the esports domain. Whether or not Shroud actualizes his idea of forming a dedicated team, his endorsement of the game highlights its potential and the exciting future that lies ahead for its community.
Ranked play in Valorant can be intense, with the fear of demotion often adding pressure to competitive matches. To alleviate this, Riot Games introduced Rank Shields in Patch 10.01, providing players with a safety net that helps protect their rank during rough patches. This guide explains how Rank Shields work and how you can use them to your advantage.
What Are Rank Shields in Valorant?
Rank Shields are a feature designed to prevent immediate demotion from tier-one ranks in Valorant. For example, players at Silver 1, Gold 1, or Platinum 1 can utilize these shields to avoid dropping to the next lower rank after losing critical matches. However, this protection is exclusive to tier-one ranks and does not apply to other divisions like Silver 2 or Gold 3. Radiant rank, which has no tiers, is also excluded.
How Do Rank Shields Work?
Here’s a breakdown of how Rank Shields function:
Shield Allocation:
Players entering a tier-one rank are granted two Rank Shields upon promotion or after dropping from a higher tier.
Shield Usage:
Losing a match with a Rank Shield will consume one shield, keeping the player at their current rank with zero rank rating (RR).
Players can lose up to two consecutive matches without demotion. On the third loss with no shields remaining, demotion occurs.
Shield Replenishment:
Shields are replenished only after a promotion to a new rank or following a demotion. If players recover from zero RR without losing both shields, the shields will not regenerate.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Rank Shields
Plan Your Climb: Use the Rank Shields strategically to tackle challenging matches. They allow you to adapt to tougher competition without the fear of immediate rank loss.
Focus on Improvement: Treat the safety net as an opportunity to refine your skills under less pressure, aiming for consistent performance to secure a higher RR.
Monitor Shield Usage: Keep track of your shield count to avoid surprises, especially in high-stakes matches where losing could lead to demotion.
Impact of Rank Shields on Competitive Play
The introduction of Rank Shields marks a significant improvement for players at all levels. It reduces the punitive nature of demotion while maintaining competitiveness, especially for those striving to climb the ranked ladder.
Rank Shields in Valorant provide a much-needed buffer for players navigating the intense competition of ranked gameplay. By understanding how to use this feature effectively, you can climb the ranks more confidently without the looming fear of immediate demotion.
For the latest updates and tips, stay tuned to Valorant’s official channels and community forums.
Inspecting weapons in CS2 can be quite the fidgeting habit but it lets you view your hard-earned skins. Inspect animations induce a satisfying feel in a game that may otherwise feel stale when playing for long durations.
Default Keybind
Press the F key (or your custom “Inspect Weapon” key).
This will make your character hold the weapon and spin it slightly, allowing you to inspect it.
Customizing Keybind
Open the Settings menu.
Navigate to the Keyboard/Mouse section.
Look for the action labeled “Inspect Weapon” and set it to your preferred key.
Using Inspect in Buy Menu
During the buy phase, you can hover over a weapon in the buy menu and inspect it.
Right-click or click the inspect button (usually displayed in the UI).
Inspecting lets you take a while to appreciate your skins and doing it in-game might make you feel good about the purchases that you have made. Make sure you do not keep inspecting during gunfights as that may not be the brightest of ideas.
After an amazing major in Shanghai, Counter-Strike is back for another season and as we head to the first LAN of 2025, let’s look at some of the biggest transfers that have come out of the rostermania.
Ropz to Team Vitality
Following a stunning performance at the Shanghai Major, Robin ‘ropz’ Kool parted ways with FaZe Clan to join Vitality. According to reports, ropz disagreed with FaZe since the organization refused to add firepower to the team which has been lacking for most of 2024. These disagreements paved the way for ropz to join Team Vitality as they did not hesitate to add a player of his pedigree to the team.
EliGE to FaZe Clan
As an aftermath of Ropz’s move to Team Vitality, FaZe turned to EliGE. EliGE has been a top player for a long time and enjoyed his career high with Team Liquid but as North American CS fails to meet expectations, EliGE has taken up the opportunity to join FaZe Clan’s EU roster to previously enjoyed tremendous success with another NA star in Twistzz. Karrigan was clean with his desire for ELiGE and now that he has joined FaZe they will be a force to be reckoned with.
NiKo to Falcons
Falcons finally secured NiKo‘s signature after a year-long pursuit for the best rifler in the world. Falcon’s previous roster failed to meet any and all expectations, but they managed to retain magisk and round off the roster by singing Heroic’s trio. While NiKo did not get the superteam he was promised, NiKo’s pursuit of his Major will continue with degster, TeSes, kyxsan, and magisk.
HeavyGod to G2
G2 turned to the promising Israeli anchor in HeavyGod to replace the irreplaceable NiKo. Goes without saying that replacing NiKo will not be a one-man job as G2 as a team will have to cycle roles within the team to adapt in the absence of NiKo tactically. HeavyGod’s 2024 with Cloud9 may not have yielded the desired results, but it was clear that his performance would definitely put him on the wishlist of the top teams and G2 became the team to secure his signature.
Nertz to Liquid
YEKINDAR’s departure from Liquid came as a surprise given he joined the team as one of the best entry fraggers in the world but as Liquid went through an overhaul, he found himself losing his place in the team under the leadership of Twistzz. Heroic performing poorly at the top events made Nertz performance go under the radar but his move will likely be one of the standout signings for Liquid as his playstyle fits right into their tactical approach heading into 2025.
With VALORANT Patch 10.1 on the horizon, players can anticipate a series of refinements to the competitive experience. While not a major overhaul, this update introduces a crucial new feature alongside several bug fixes designed to maintain a balanced and enjoyable meta.
As promised with the launch of Act One in V25, Riot Games has integrated Rank Shields into the competitive mode. This welcome addition provides a safety net for players in the first tier of each rank (excluding Radiant). Players are now granted two shields that activate when their Rank Rating (RR) reaches zero, preventing immediate demotion to the lower rank after a single loss.
It’s important to note that Rank Shields are exclusive to the first tier of each rank and are not applicable to Radiant. Players automatically receive two shields upon promotion or demotion into the first tier of any rank. Furthermore, the shields do not regenerate after a win at zero RR. Thus, if a player utilizes a shield to prevent demotion and subsequently wins a match, increasing their RR, they will only have a single shield remaining for future protection at zero RR.
Without wasting time, let’s check out the official Valorant 10.01 patch notes:
ALL PLATFORMS
COMPETITIVE UPDATES
Rank Shields have been added to Competitive Mode!
You are granted two Rank Shields while in Tier 1 (e.g. Silver 1, Gold 1, Platinum 1) of all Ranks except Radiant.
When you lose a game at 0 RR, one shield is consumed, leaving you with one shield remaining.
Losing again at 0 RR consumes the second shield, leaving you with zero shields remaining.
If you lose three games while at 0 RR, you demote to the lower rank (e.g. Gold 1 to Silver 3).
You do not have shields in the other tiers of a Rank (e.g. There are no shields when losing at 0 RR in Gold 2).
Only when you move into Tier 1 via promotion or demotion, will you replenish two shields for that tier.
Winning at 0 RR and going back to 10 RR will not replenish your shields.
You can see all information about Rank Shields in the Rank Details screen in the client!
BUG FIXES
Agents
Tejo
Fixed an issue where players who exited then re-entered Tejo’s Armageddon blast zone do not count as Displaced in the Combat Report.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Guided Salvo projectile would get stuck inside the wall when cast towards a path blocked by Sage’s Barrier Orb.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Stealth Drone affected by Nearsight could see Enemy Players’ model outline at certain distances.
Improved an issue where Tejo’s Guided Salvo smoke trail VFX could clip through thin walls and structures once cast.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Stealth Drone is slowed outside the AOE of Sage’s Slow Orb.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Guided Salvo missile visuals are set to draw as a Cylinder instead of Sphere, showing an incorrect damage zone.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Artillery Missile loses functionality and appears as stuck if he cast it while being outside of the map.
Fixed an issue where Tejo’s Guided Salvo damages players on elevation without showing a warning indicator.
Maps
Bind
Fixed an issue where invisible collision would sometimes impede agent utility inside one of the teleporter rooms.
PC ONLY
BUG FIXES
Premier
Fixed an issue where there were inconsistent font sizes on the Change Zone and the Delete Team pop-up screens in Premier.
Fixed an issue where Premier matches in match history did not show a mode tooltip when you hovered over them.
Fixed an issue where the ineligibility warning tooltip in the lobby was very hard to trigger.
CONSOLE ONLY
BUG FIXES
Competitive Systems
Fixed a bug where the queue timer overlaps with a portion of the Leaderboard page.
Erangel, the iconic map of PUBG: Battlegrounds, harbors a clandestine network of “Secret Rooms” – hidden chambers promising a trove of high-tier loot. However, access to these coveted locations is strictly guarded, requiring a specialized key.
Before we delve into the intricacies of acquiring the key, let’s explore the nature of these enigmatic rooms. Concealed beneath the surface, Secret Rooms are accessed by breaching wooden entrances. While they offer a tantalizing prospect of superior loot compared to standard locations, players shouldn’t expect guaranteed tier-three gear or crate drops.
How do you find the Erangel Secret Basement Key in PUBG?
The gateway to these hidden vaults is the aptly named “Secret Room Key,” or as some players affectionately call it, the “Basement Key.” To gain entry, players must first breach the wooden barrier using firearms or explosives. However, this act is not without its risks, as the sound of the breach can alert nearby enemies.
Unlike the rooms themselves, Secret Room Keys are distributed randomly throughout the map as global loot. Acquiring one is purely a matter of chance. To increase your odds, consider dropping into high-traffic areas such as Pochinki, the Military Base, or Georgopol, where the likelihood of encountering a key early in the match is significantly higher.
To assist in your exploration, a helpful map created by Steam user BloodStoneBat highlights the locations of all 15 Secret Rooms on Erangel. It’s crucial to remember that most of these rooms are situated near popular drop zones, making them prime targets for opportunistic enemy squads.
