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IEM Rio 2026 Opening Matchups Confirmed

Aritra Patra
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IEM Rio 2026 Opening Matchups Confirmed

ESL has confirmed the group draw and opening round matchups for IEM Rio 2026. The event runs from April 13 to 19. All 16 teams now know who they face on day one.

Format

The 16 teams are split into two groups of eight. Each group runs a double-elimination bracket where every match is best of three. This is the standard ESL format, though ESL has announced it will change to an eight-team playoff structure starting in 2027.

Group winners advance directly to the semi-finals. Teams that finish second or third in their group go to the quarter-finals instead.

Group A

Group A has three of the top four-ranked teams in the world right now. Vitality (ranked #1) opens against RED Canids. Spirit (#9) faces Team Liquid (#18). Falcons (#4) play 3DMAX (#15).

For Vitality, this event is the first of three chances this season to complete their second ESL Grand Slam. They arrive on a 22-map winning streak and open against RED Canids.

Group B

Group B has its own storyline before the event even starts. B8 face Natus Vincere in a rematch of their opener at BLAST Open Rotterdam. FURIA take on Passion UA. Aurora faces HOTU. Legacy open against MOUZ.

Schedule

All matches on April 13 start at 19:30 IST. Here is the complete opening day schedule:

MatchTeams
Vitality vs RED CanidsGroup A
Gentle Mates vs G2Group B
Spirit vs LiquidGroup A
3DMAX vs FalconsGroup A
FURIA vs Passion UAGroup B
B8 vs Natus VincereGroup B
Aurora vs HOTUGroup B
Legacy vs MOUZGroup B

Spirit vs Liquid is a matchup that has come up at several recent events. The B8 vs NaVi rematch adds some additional context, given their previous meeting at Rotterdam. Vitality’s run at a second Grand Slam starts here, with a favorable opener against RED Canids if their recent form holds.

New CS2 Update Improves Animations, Brings Various Audio Adjustments, and More Changes

FACEIT to Introduce New CS2 Performance Metric with Season 8

Aritra Patra
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FACEIT to Introduce New CS2 Performance Metric with Season 8

FACEIT Rating launches on April 22 alongside Season 8. It is a new performance metric built to show how much a player’s actions changed the outcome of a match, not just what the final scoreboard looks like.

This is separate from Elo. It does not affect matchmaking or ranking, at least not yet.

Why FACEIT Built a New Metric

The existing stats system has a well-known blind spot. In CS2, not all kills carry equal weight, but the scoreboard treats them as if they do. An entry frag that opens a bombsite in a 5v5 round has far more value than an exit kill taken when the round is already decided. Farming eco kills can inflate stats without actually changing the game.

Right now, those two situations count the same in basic stats. That makes it hard to tell if a player actually performed well. FACEIT Rating is designed to close that gap.

How FACEIT Rating Works

Instead of counting kills or damage alone, FACEIT Rating looks at how a player’s actions affect the match outcome while the game is being played. At any point in a match, both teams have a calculated chance of winning. That probability is based on what is happening in the round – the score, how many players are alive, their health, what weapons are equipped, and the economy.

When a player does something that shifts that probability, FACEIT Rating registers it. A clutch entry frag in a tight round counts for more than a cleanup kill on the last CT standing.

Does It Affect Elo or Matchmaking?

No, not in Season 8. FACEIT Rating does not affect Elo or matchmaking in Season 8, and no existing statistics will be removed. It will not change how much Elo a player gains or loses, and it will not influence matchmaking. It sits alongside the current level system to help players understand their performance, not to change who they get matched with.

FACEIT will monitor how it behaves in real matches before deciding how it could be used more broadly in future seasons.

Who Can See It

From Season 8, every player will have access to FACEIT Rating in their matches. Over time, players will be able to see how their performance compares to others at the same level and get a clearer picture of how they are actually playing at their Elo.

FACEIT has confirmed it will share more details on the exact calculation process closer to April 22.

Season 8 Also Brings Placement Matches and a Soft Elo Reset

FACEIT Rating is not the only change coming with Season 8. Season 8 starts on April 22, and for the first time, every player will begin the season with a soft reset and 10 placement matches to determine their new Elo.

When Season 8 begins, Elo will be temporarily hidden, and players will go through 10 placement matches. Once those are completed, the new level is revealed as the starting point for the season.

The reset is not equal across all levels. Top-tier Level 10 players will see the most significant adjustment. This compresses the top of the ladder to keep the highest levels of play competitive. Active players at Levels 1 through 9 who have been playing consistently will see a smaller reset and will likely start near the level they ended Season 7 at. Inactive players, regardless of level, will see a larger adjustment.

FACEIT CS2 Players to Undergo Rank Recalibration in Season 8

Sony Acquires Cinemersive Labs to Boost PlayStation Visual Tech

Aritra Patra
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Sony Acquires Cinemersive Labs to Boost PlayStation Visual Tech

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced on April 2, 2026, that it has agreed to acquire Cinemersive Labs, a UK-based machine learning and computer vision company. The deal is part of SIE’s ongoing push to improve visual quality in PlayStation games.

Founded in 2022, Cinemersive Labs is a specialized team focused on computer vision and machine learning. The company’s registered office is located in Ruislip, Greater London.

What Cinemersive Labs Will Do at SIE

Following the acquisition, the Cinemersive Labs team will join SIE’s Visual Computing Group (VCG) and contribute to the company’s broader efforts in advancing visual computing within PlayStation games. This includes applying machine learning to enhance gameplay visuals, improve rendering techniques, and unlock new levels of visual fidelity for players.

Cinemersive Labs also developed technology that converts a single photograph into a volumetric 3D immersive experience. The company’s Cinemersive AI turns a single photo into a real-time, interactive volumetric 3D experience, with support for platforms including Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

What Is the Visual Computing Group?

SIE’s Visual Computing Group is not new. The VCG was formed in 2024 from the merger of the iSIZE team with parts of the SIE Game Platform Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) group. It brought together a team of R&D engineers with skills across neural networks, video coding, quality assessment, generative models, game rendering, and high-performance computing. The group’s mission is to design and deploy advanced neural networks and machine learning for game rendering and streaming systems at SIE.

The Cinemersive Labs team will now expand that group’s headcount and capabilities.

SIE has also launched a new initiative within the VCG to explore rendering and streaming in novel ways, aiming to go beyond current machine learning-based game rendering approaches by bringing together game rendering, AI, and distributed computing.

SIE has not disclosed the financial terms of the Cinemersive Labs acquisition. No completion date was given beyond the announcement of the agreement.

Dataminers Find New Paintball Mode, Cash Stacks, and Map Changes in CS2 Animgraph 2 Beta Files

Sonu Banerjee
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Dataminers Find New Paintball Mode, Cash Stacks, and Map Changes in CS2 Animgraph 2 Beta Files

Only a few hours have passed since Valve shipped out the Animgraph 2 update for Counter-Strike 2, and dataminers have already managed to uncover some intriguing additions hidden within the game files that may potentially hint at a major update arriving in the near future.

Shortly after the April 1st update for the shooter went live, prominent CS2 leaker “ThourCS” shared a series of secret additions to the game that were hidden within the game files.

The leaks were shared on the dataminer’s X account, with the first leak revealing stacks of cash that were added to Counter-Strike 2 as part of the update. According to Thour, these cash stacks were found inside a folder labeled “gameplay,” suggesting they may be used in a future game mode rather than simply being a cosmetic addition.

The last time these stacks of cash appeared in the game was in the Danger Zone game mode back in the days of CS:GO. Could Valve be preparing to bring Danger Zone back in Counter-Strike 2? Or might an entirely new game mode be quietly brewing behind the scenes?

A series of paintball decals was also added to the CS2 game files in the latest update. At the time of writing, the intended purpose of these paintball decals is still unclear. However, players speculate that CS2 might be getting a new paintball game mode in the future.

Lastly, two fan-favorite CS2 maps, Nuke and Vertigo, received some lighting changes in the Animgraph 2 Beta Branch. However, neither change was included in the official patch notes.

New CS2 Update Improves Animations, Brings Various Audio Adjustments, and More Changes

Sonu Banerjee
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New CS2 Update Improves Animations, Brings Various Audio Adjustments, and More Changes

Earlier today, Valve released a new update for Counter-Strike 2, introducing a set of improvements to the game’s animation system while also polishing the game’s audio.

The changes in the April 1st CS2 update include improved player animations, a series of audio adjustments, and various other smaller changes to enhance players’ overall gameplay experience.

In this article, we’ll go through all the new changes that the latest CS2 update has brought to the shooter.

New CS2 Update Adds Animgraph 2, Audio Improvements, and More

The biggest highlight of the April 1st update is the introduction of a new animation system to CS2.

For the unaware, the new CS2 patch has upgraded the game’s animation system to Animgraph 2, reducing CPU and networking costs associated with animation and improving player animations across the board. As confirmed by Valve, all third-person player animations in the game have been re-authored, and in several cases adjusted in response to player feedback.

For now, players will have to opt into a specific beta branch to enjoy the new animation system. You can check our detailed guide on the topic to learn how to access this new beta branch.

Valve Updates CS2 Movement Animations in Latest Update

CS2 April 1st Update: Patch Notes

Valve has already revealed the detailed patch notes for the April 1st CS2 update. Fans can check out the full list of changes below:

[ ANIMGRAPH 2 ]

The CS2 animation system has been updated to Animgraph 2, which reduces CPU and networking costs associated with animation.

  • All third-person animations have been re-authored, and in several cases adjusted in response to player feedback.
  • Smoothed in-air crouching transitions in first and third-person.
  • In support of Animgraph 2, the logic adjusting player height on sloped surfaces has been refactored.
    • Player height on ramps is now consistent and no longer depends on approach direction.
    • As a result of this change, grenade lineups on sloped surfaces may have changed.

[ ENGINE ]

  • Updated engine code to the latest version of Source 2.

[ CS SCRIPT ]

  • Added function GetRoundRemainingTime.

[ GAMEPLAY ] 

  • Player occlusion now uses a GPU query to prevent players clipping through thin walls when none of their bounding volume is visible.

[ SOUND ]

  • Mix adjustments to help accentuate jump landing sounds during combat.
  • New c4 equip sound.
  • Minor adjustments to ambient sound levels.
  • Fixed missing ambient sounds on team selection and end of match screens.
  • Fixed missing sounds in the main menu UI
  • Mix tweaks while taking damage
  • Fixed bug where DeathCam music cue was causing volume ducking for too long. 
  • Vertical occlusion is now more gradual at the edges of transition points in Nuke and Vertigo.
  • Various map audio adjustments in Baggage, Shoots, Ancient, Nuke, and Vertigo.

Valve Updates CS2 Movement Animations in Latest Update

Sonu Banerjee
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Valve Updates CS2 Movement Animations in Latest Update

Valve has rolled out a new update for Counter-Strike 2 on April 1, and while the rumored additions to the Armory are still nowhere to be seen, the latest patch does introduce a crucial change to player animations.

The new CS2 patch has updated the game’s animation system to Animgraph 2, reducing CPU and networking costs associated with animation while also improving player animations across the board.

As per the official patch notes, every single third-person animation has been redone, with many animations now responding better to player feedback.

At the time of writing, the new animation system is only available in a specific beta build. Luckily, any player can access the Animgraph 2 beta in only a few clicks.

How to Access CS2 Animgraph 2 Beta Branch

To update your CS2 to have the latest Animgraph 2 animations, you’ll need to opt into the game’s new beta branch.

To get access to the Animgraph 2 beta, simply follow these steps:

  • Head to your Steam Library
  • Right-click on “Counter-Strike 2”
  • Click on “Properties”
  • Go to “Game Versions & Betas”
  • From the list, select “animgraph_2_beta”
  • Launch Counter-Strike 2

What’s New in CS2 Animgraph 2?

By opting into the Animgraph 2 beta, you’ll be able to update all player animations to the latest version.

Upon hopping into an actual match, you should be able to see the differences in player animations and your game’s overall performance. The new animations are especially noticeable when a player switches their direction inputs when counter-strafing.

You can check out a comparison video of the old and new animations below:

Steam Deck 2 Delayed Till 2028

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Steam Deck 2 Delayed Till 2028

Rumours have surfaced that the highly anticipated Steam Deck 2 is pushed as far back as 2028, indicating a longer wait time for the next generation of Valve’s handheld gaming consoles, possibly due to additional efforts in product engineering.

Why the delay?

As Valve has clearly addressed, they plan to make a generational leap in performance and efficiency with the new generation of the Steam Deck, and speculations have surfaced that this is responsible for pushing back the release date, with a possible longer R&D timeline from the developers. While 2028 may seem to be far away, this would ensure a better device instead of a minor spec bump.

While R&D might be a concern, the global shortage of NAND and RAM might also have an impact on the timeline more than we think. As they will struggle to manufacture products, taking a more lenient timeline would ensure that they have enough time before the supply chain is back to normal.

2022 saw Valve drop the Steam Deck, which may not have been a global sensation, but it showed promise that future generations would actually make portable gaming a more enjoyable experience. It goes without saying that they were limited by the technology, and therefore, 2028 should bring significant improvements to the console.

What to expect

With CPUs getting more efficient, by the time the Steam Deck 2 is ready, we might see it ship with the latest processors that are not only fast but are efficient enough to make the portable gaming experience worth it.

As things stand, these rumours are based on the current market situation, and unless Valve confirms it, it is better to take them with a pinch of salt. As of now, the rumours look believable coming from the trusted sources, and given the global supply chain situation, it will be anything but surprising if this actually comes to fruition.

Revenant XSparks Release Punk and JD Gaming from their BGMI Roster

Aditya Parsutkar
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Revenant XSparks Release Punk and JD Gaming from their BGMI Roster

Revenant XSparks has made a major change to its BGMI roster by releasing captain Punk and fifth player JD Gaming. The decision comes after the team finished 7th at the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2026 Grand Finals held in Chennai.

Revenant XSparks Drop Punk and JD Gaming Ahead of BMPS 2026

The organization confirmed the update on April 2, 2026. Ashutosh “Punk” Singh, who joined the team as an IGL in November 2025, is no longer part of the lineup. Along with him, Jay “JDGamingYT” Deshmukh has also been released.

Punk had a solid run with Revenant XSparks during his time as captain. Under his leadership, the team won the Skyesports Skirmish Series 2025 and also secured second-place finishes in Blizzard Battlegrounds and Upthrust Esports Pro Showdown 2026. Despite these strong performances, the team could not achieve a top finish at BGIS 2026, which may have led to this decision.

This move has surprised many fans, as Punk is known for his experience and leadership skills. However, it looks like the organization is planning a fresh start before the upcoming BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2026.

There are also reports that Revenant XSparks might look to bring back Shadow as their IGL. He previously led the team to major titles like BGIS and BMPS in 2024. At the moment, Shadow is part of Team Meta Ninza, so it will be interesting to see if a transfer happens.

Read More: BGMI Player Transfer Window Tracker (April 2026): All Rosters, Transfers and Latest Updates

Right now, the team has retained three strong assaulters—Pain, NinjaJOD, and TraceGod. While all three are skilled players, none of them has much experience as a captain. This means the team will likely sign a new IGL before the next big event.

The BGMI transfer window opened on April 1, and roster changes have already started across teams. Several top players are expected to switch teams in the coming days. Big names are available in the market, and organizations are actively looking to strengthen their squads before BMPS 2026.

Fans can also expect more big changes in the scene. Rumors suggest possible roster moves involving top players and teams, which could completely shake up the competitive BGMI landscape.

Ahmedabad to Host TEZ FFMIC 2026 Spring Grand Finals: Check Dates, Venue, and Format

Aditya Parsutkar
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Ahmedabad to Host TEZ FFMIC 2026 Spring Grand Finals: Check Dates, Venue, and Format

Garena has officially confirmed that the Grand Finals of the Free Fire MAX India Cup (FFMIC) 2026 Spring will be held in Ahmedabad. This is one of the biggest Free Fire MAX events in India, where the top teams will battle for the title and a prize pool of ₹1 crore.

FFMIC 2026 Spring Grand Finals: Dates and Venue

The Grand Finals will take place on April 25 and 26 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The venue is located in Gandhinagar (Sector 13C) and can host around 5,000 fans. Tickets are expected to be announced soon, so fans should keep checking Free Fire MAX’s official social media pages for updates.

FFMIC 2026 Grand Finals Format

The final stage will feature 12 teams who qualify from the online rounds. The competition will be played in two parts:

  • April 25 – Points Rush (played online)
  • April 26 – Champion Rush (LAN event with live audience)

In the Points Rush stage, teams will earn extra starting points based on their performance. These points will give them an advantage going into the final day.

On the second day, Champion Rush format will decide the winner, making every match important and exciting for fans.

Read More: Free Fire VIP Proxy Server App Explained: Can You Really Get OB53 Features?

Teams Qualified So Far

Six teams have already secured their place in the Grand Finals:

  • Gyan Gaming
  • RNX Esports
  • Total Gaming Esports
  • Team Hind
  • Gods Reign Pros
  • Fireeyes GA

The remaining six teams will qualify through the Knockout Stage Week 3 standings.

Where to Watch Free Fire MAX India Cup 2026 Spring

Fans who cannot attend the event live can watch all matches online. The tournament will be streamed on the official Free Fire MAX Esports India YouTube channel.

FFMIC 2026 Spring Grand Finals will take place on April 25 and 26 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Ahmedabad, where 12 top teams will compete for a ₹1 crore prize pool. The event will begin with the Points Rush played online, followed by the Champion Rush on LAN in front of fans. Six teams have already qualified, while the remaining spots will be decided through the Knockout Stage. Fans can attend the event once tickets are released or watch all the action live on the official Free Fire MAX Esports India YouTube channel.

How to Shoulder Ride in Fortnite April Fool Update

Aritra Patra
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How to Shoulder Ride in Fortnite April Fool Update

Epic Games surprised Fortnite fans with the v40.10 update for Chapter 7 Season 2 on April 1, 2026. Along with big heads and rideable Llamas, the patch added shoulder riding. Here is exactly how it works and what you can do while up there.

What Is the Shoulder Ride Feature in Fortnite?

The April Fools event is live for 24 hours, running from April 1, 2026, at 5:30 AM ET to April 2, 2026, at 5:30 AM ET. Shoulder riding is part of a batch of limited-time modifiers that also includes big heads, Finger Guns, Llama riding, and fall damage immunity.

The modifications apply to unranked Battle Royale and Blitz matches. All of these are also in effect in Unranked Reload, except for the big heads.

The feature does not cost anything. The Shoulder Ride emote appears in your library automatically when you load into a match, with no Item Shop purchase needed.

How to Shoulder Ride in Fortnite Step by Step

You need to be in a duo, trio, or squad. Solo players cannot use this mechanic.

Here are the steps:

  • Load into a Fortnite match with at least one teammate.
  • Open your emote wheel. On the controller, press Down on the D-Pad. On PC, press B.
  • Navigate to the Social Interactions section on the far right of the wheel.
  • Select the Shoulder Ride emote to send a ride invite to your teammate.
  • The teammate who wants to hop on must stand next to you and press the Interact button. On PlayStation/Xbox controller, that is Square or X. On PC, it is E.

Once both players confirm with a dap animation, the rider hops onto the carrier’s shoulders.

What Can You Do During a Shoulder Ride?

The two players have different abilities while the mechanic is active.

The carrier cannot use any weapons. They can move around the map, but combat falls entirely on the rider.

The rider, sitting on top, can shoot weapons, open chests, and open ammo boxes. So the rider is the one protecting both players during any firefight.

Players discovered that stacking is possible with no apparent cap on height, meaning multiple riders can pile onto one carrier simultaneously. Even players who are being carried can carry someone else, thanks to multi-stacking.

Can You Shoulder Ride While on a Llama?

Yes. Players confirmed that you can stack teammates on your shoulders while also riding a Llama, combining two of the April Fools mechanics at once.

Rideable Llamas are scattered around the Chapter 7 Season 2 map as part of the same update, so finding one and loading up with a teammate is possible within the same match.

Will Shoulder Riding Stay in Fortnite After April 2?

Fortnite developer Ted Timmins hinted that the feature could stick around past its assigned window if player feedback is positive enough. Shoulder Riding and Rideable Llamas are the two mechanics most likely to become a fixed part of gameplay for the rest of the current season, though an update on that will only come once the April Fools timeline ends.

There is no official confirmation yet that the feature will be made permanent.

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