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Who Sings True Damage’s Know My Name? Meet the Worlds 2026 Anthem Artists

Satyam Kumar
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Who Sings True Damage’s Know My Name? Meet the Worlds 2026 Anthem Artists

League of Legends has its Worlds 2026 anthem, and Riot kept it in the family. “Know My Name” belongs to True Damage, the virtual hip-hop group Riot built out of five champions, and it landed on streaming platforms with its music video on October 8 at 6 PM PT (6:30 AM IST on October 9). It is the 13th Worlds anthem and the first one performed by a Riot virtual act, according to Riot’s official Worlds anthem announcement.

Same five champions as 2019. Mostly different voices. Of the four singers and rappers credited on the new track, only SOYEON carried over from the GIANTS era, and Yasuo, who had Duckwrth singing for him seven years ago, has no credited vocalist this time.

Who Is in True Damage’s 2026 Lineup?

Four artists voice True Damage on “Know My Name”: SOYEON as Akali, Coco Jones as Senna, Vic Mensa as Ekko and Sofía Reyes as Qiyana. Riot revealed the cast on September 29, and Soompi’s report on the reveal lists the same in-group roles Riot uses. Here is how the 2026 cast stacks up against the 2019 one.

ChampionRole in True Damage2026 voice (Know My Name)2019 voice (GIANTS)
AkaliRapperSOYEON (i-dle)SOYEON
SennaVocalistCoco JonesKeke Palmer
EkkoRapperVic MensaThutmose
QiyanaVocalist, rapperSofía ReyesBecky G
YasuoDJ, producerNo vocalist creditedDuckwrth

The single was released through Riot Games and Virgin Music Group. GIANTS has passed 230 million streams across platforms since 2019, per Riot, so the new crew is stepping into a song slot with real numbers behind it.

Meet the Artists Behind Know My Name

SOYEON as Akali

SOYEON of i-dle returns as Akali. Coco Jones (Senna), Vic Mensa (Ekko) and Sofía Reyes (Qiyana) are new.

SOYEON is the rapper and lead producer of K-pop group i-dle, and she has been Akali’s voice since K/DA’s POP/STARS in 2018. That makes her the link between every version of Riot’s music universe. She also voiced Akali on GIANTS in 2019 and has run a solo career alongside i-dle since 2021.

She told Riot she was honoured to rejoin True Damage for a Worlds anthem and wanted to see how League fans react. Riot is clearly in a band-revival mood this season, too. HEARTSTEEL got its own comeback earlier with the Live My Life skin line.

Coco Jones as Senna

Coco Jones as Senna in League of Legends, replacing Keke Palmer as the character’s voice actor.
Image Credits: Billboard

Coco Jones takes over Senna from Keke Palmer. She is a Grammy winner, having picked up Best R&B Performance for “ICU” at the 2024 Grammys, and TV audiences know her as Hilary Banks on Peacock’s Bel-Air. Riot pitches her as R&B’s breakout artist.

This is her first step into League. Jones said the fun part was bringing her own style and energy into a world where Riot ties music to storytelling.

Vic Mensa as Ekko

Vic Mensa featured as Ekko in Riot Games’ True Damage artwork.

Vic Mensa replaces Thutmose on Ekko’s rap verses. He is a Grammy-nominated rapper from Chicago who also works as an actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and plenty of fans first heard him on “U Mad” with Kanye West in 2015.

Mensa said he studied Ekko’s story before he wrote anything. That fits the champion. Ekko is the Zaun kid who rewinds time, a character Arcane turned into a fan favourite.

Sofía Reyes as Qiyana

Sofía Reyes, Mexican singer-songwriter and actress from Monterrey, Mexico, who voices Qiyan

Sofía Reyes, a singer-songwriter and actress from Monterrey, Mexico, now voices Qiyana. Riot calls her one of the leading names in modern Latin pop, and her 2018 hit “1, 2, 3” with Jason Derulo and De La Ghetto is the track most people will recognise.

She replaces Becky G, so Qiyana keeps a bilingual Latin pop edge. Reyes said the sessions let her fold in different languages and musical influences.

What Happened to Yasuo?

Yasuo has no credited voice on Know My Name. Back in 2019, Duckwrth sang his parts on GIANTS. In 2026, Riot only describes Yasuo as the collective’s DJ and producer, and the announcement names no real-world producer behind him.

He is hardly sidelined, though. His new skin doubles as the official Worlds 2026 skin.

Why Did Riot Pick True Damage for Worlds 2026?

Riot picked True Damage mainly because Worlds is in New York this year. Maria Egan, Riot’s global head of music, linked the group’s mix of voices and cultures to the host city and called it something “bigger than the sum of its parts”. Look at the casting map and the pitch holds up: a K-pop rapper from Seoul, an R&B singer, a Chicago rapper and a Mexican pop star.

It also breaks a 12-year pattern. Every previous anthem went to real-world acts, from Imagine Dragons’ “Warriors” in 2014 to Linkin Park’s “Heavy Is the Crown” in 2024. Handing the slot to an in-house band lets Riot tie the song, the skins and the Worlds event pass into one release, and Yasuo’s Worlds skin is the clearest sign of that.

The Know My Name Music Video Is About Faker

The music video centres on Faker and T1, tracing the road to the team’s historic Worlds three-peat. Riot says it covers the losses as well as the trophies, showing how Faker kept bouncing back and reinventing himself on the biggest stage.

It’s an odd fit on paper. Five animated champions end up scoring a real player’s career, which gives Know My Name more in common with a T1 tribute than with GIANTS, a song that only ever told True Damage’s own story.

When Will True Damage Perform at Worlds 2026?

True Damage performs “Know My Name” live on November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, during the Worlds 2026 Final opening ceremony presented by Mastercard. For viewers in India and Korea, that falls on November 15.

The tournament runs across three US cities with 19 teams. The Worlds 2026 schedule breakdown from Inven Global has the full format, and Riot has already rolled out Worlds 2026 merch, including a huf collab.

StageDates (US time)Venue
Play-InOct 15–18Riot Games Arena, Los Angeles
Swiss StageOct 23–31CUTX Event Center, Allen, Texas
Quarterfinals and SemifinalsNov 3–8CUTX Event Center, Allen, Texas
Final + True Damage performanceNov 14Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

True Damage: Know My Name Skins Price and Release Date

2026 True Damage skins featuring Ekko, Qiyana, Senna, Akali, and Yasuo in League of Legends.

All five True Damage: Know My Name skins release with LoL Patch 26.21 on October 21. Patch 26.21 was already a talking point before the skins, since Riot pushed back its planned replay restrictions after player backlash. If you’re still catching up on the current meta, our LoL Patch 26.20 notes cover the Worlds patch itself.

SkinTierPrice
True Damage: Know My Name AkaliLegendary1820 RP
True Damage: Know My Name QiyanaEpic1350 RP
True Damage: Know My Name SennaEpic1350 RP
True Damage: Know My Name Yasuo (Worlds 2026 skin)Epic1350 RP
Prestige True Damage: Know My Name EkkoPrestigeLimited, outside the regular store

Reports differ on how Ekko’s Prestige skin is unlocked. Strafe lists it at 150 Mythic Essence, while other outlets tie it to the Worlds pass, so check the in-game store on October 21.

FAQ

Who sings Know My Name by True Damage?

SOYEON (Akali), Coco Jones (Senna), Vic Mensa (Ekko) and Sofía Reyes (Qiyana). Yasuo has no credited vocalist.

Is Keke Palmer or Becky G in True Damage in 2026?

No. Coco Jones replaced Keke Palmer as Senna, and Sofía Reyes replaced Becky G as Qiyana. Thutmose and Duckwrth are also out.

Is Know My Name the official Worlds 2026 anthem?

Yes. It is the 13th Worlds anthem and the first sung by one of Riot’s virtual groups.

Where can I listen to Know My Name?

The song is on all major streaming platforms, and the music video is on the official League of Legends YouTube channel. Both went live on October 8 at 6 PM PT (October 9, 6:30 AM IST).

When do the True Damage: Know My Name skins come out?

October 21, with LoL Patch 26.21.

Paper Rex Complete an Unwanted Valorant Record After Champions Shanghai Exit

Satyam Kumar
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Paper Rex Complete an Unwanted Valorant Record After Champions Shanghai Exit

Paper Rex threw away a 9-3 half-time lead on Summit and lost 2-1 to T1 on October 9, 2026, which knocked them out of Valorant Champions Shanghai in Lower Bracket Round 1. It also closed out one of the strangest records the scene has ever produced.

With a 7th-8th finish in Shanghai, Paper Rex have now landed in every possible placement bracket at an international Valorant event. First place. 17th-32nd. Everything in between. Reddit user asakanakasa spotted it in a r/ValorantCompetitive thread, and the results line up with the team’s full international history.

Key Takeaways

  • T1 beat Paper Rex 2-1 (Lotus 13-7, Ascent 6-13, Summit 13-11) in Lower Bracket Round 1 at Valorant Champions Shanghai 2026.
  • 7th-8th was the only international placement bracket PRX had never recorded. They now hold every result from 1st down to 17th-32nd.
  • Riot’s 12-team Masters and 16-team Champions formats make the full set close to impossible for any other team.
  • Four of the five starters are out of contract when 2026 ends. Only invy is signed through 2027.

How Did Paper Rex Lose to T1?

PRX went in as favourites. They had the experience edge and a long habit of deep lower-bracket runs, while T1 arrived as one of the less-fancied Pacific sides at Valorant Champions 2026.

Lotus went wrong early. Meteor, Munchkin and BuZz put up 56 kills between them, and T1 cruised to a 13-7 win.

Paper Rex hit back on their own pick. They led Ascent 8-4 at the half and closed it 13-6, with something posting a 366 ACS and invy finishing 19/8/7.

Then came Summit. PRX won nine of twelve attack rounds, wiped all five T1 players in eight of those nine, and took the second pistol to sit at 10-3. Three rounds from survival.

They never got them. The gun rounds after the pistol slipped away one by one, Paper Rex made a run of questionable calls, and T1 took ten of the last eleven rounds to win 13-11 in regulation. That made PRX the first team eliminated from the Champions playoffs.

MapPickScore (PRX-T1)Winner
LotusT17-13T1
AscentPaper Rex13-6Paper Rex
SummitDecider11-13T1

Scores per Paper Rex’s official post on X.

What Is Paper Rex’s Unwanted Valorant Record?

Paper Rex are the first team to finish in every placement bracket available at international Valorant events. Shanghai filled the last empty slot, 7th-8th.

PlacementEvents
1stMasters Toronto 2025
2ndMasters Copenhagen 2022, Champions LA 2023, Masters Santiago 2026, Masters London 2026
3rdMasters Tokyo 2023, Masters Madrid 2024
4thMasters Reykjavik 2022, Champions Paris 2025
5th-6thMasters Shanghai 2024
7th-8thChampions Shanghai 2026 (new)
9th-12thChampions Istanbul 2022, Champions Seoul 2024
13th-16thMasters Berlin 2021
17th-32ndLOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023

That spread runs across Masters, Champions and the one-off 32-team LOCK//IN event that opened the 2023 partnership era. You can check every result on Paper Rex’s Liquipedia page.

Paper Rex have set an impossible record!
by u/asakanakasa in ValorantCompetitive

Can Any Other Team Match It?

Probably not. The 17th-32nd bracket only existed at LOCK//IN, because that was the only international event with 32 teams.

Riot now runs Masters with 12 teams and Champions with 16, so the lowest finishes on offer today are 9th-12th and 13th-16th. A team chasing this record would already need a bottom-half LOCK//IN result banked from 2023. On top of that it would need an international title, plus a finish in every bracket between. The record belongs to the organisation, so any team that went out early in Sao Paulo is still technically eligible. Pulling off the rest of the set is another matter.

Does the Record Make Paper Rex Inconsistent?

On paper the spread looks chaotic. The full record says otherwise: nine top-four finishes and five international grand finals, including both Masters events of 2026 in Santiago and London. Masters Toronto 2025 is still their only international trophy, though.

The worry is the last few months. Paper Rex finished joint-last at the Esports World Cup 2026 and managed only 5th-6th in VCT Pacific Stage 2, a split that Global Esports won with a reverse sweep. Now they have 7th-8th at Champions. A team famous for setting the meta with its aggressive style spent the autumn looking a step behind it.

What Happens to the Paper Rex Roster Now?

Four of the five starters come off contract when 2026 ends, so this loss could be the last time the core plays together.

PlayerContract ends
something2026
d4v412026
Jinggg2026
f0rsakeN2026
invy2027

d4v41 and f0rsakeN have been with the organisation since 2021 and carried it from challenger roster to perennial finalist. invy, who joined this year, told Rocket Bullets after the loss that his first season had plenty of ups and downs and that he learned a lot from it. Paper Rex’s own farewell post thanked the fans who had backed “the boys” over the past four years. Read into that what you will.

Champions carries on without them. NRG are defending the title, with G2 Esports also among the favourites. Our Champions Shanghai dates, teams and format guide has the rest of the bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who eliminated Paper Rex from Valorant Champions 2026?

T1 beat Paper Rex 2-1 in Lower Bracket Round 1 on October 9, 2026. T1 won Lotus 13-7, PRX took Ascent 13-6, and T1 came back from 3-10 down to win Summit 13-11.

What record does Paper Rex hold in Valorant?

They are the first team to finish in every placement bracket at international Valorant events, from 1st at Masters Toronto 2025 down to 17th-32nd at LOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023.

How many international finals have Paper Rex reached?

Five. Masters Copenhagen 2022, Champions LA 2023, Masters Toronto 2025, Masters Santiago 2026 and Masters London 2026. They won Toronto.

Spirit Reach ESL Pro League Season 24 Semi-Finals

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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Spirit Reach ESL Pro League Season 24 Semi-Finals

Spirit have made quick work of the defending Major champions with a 2-0 victory to reach the Semi-Finals of the ESL Pro League Season 24. A dominant opening map followed by a close second, Spirit stood the Falcons’ test in style as they booked their semi-final clash against a MOUZ side with hot hands.

VETO

  • Spirit removed Inferno
  • Falcons removed Cache
  • Spirit picked Mirage
  • Falcons picked Anubis
  • Spirit removed Nuke
  • Falcons removed Ancient
  • Dust2 was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: Spirit; Winner: Spirit

Winning the pistol, the Falcons concluded their highlights of the first half. A superior offensive display systematically broke down the Falcons’ defence. Dominant throughout the entirety of the first half, a highly slow and methodical approach, exploiting mid-round after round, earned them 9 rounds. A pistol round win ensured Spirit hit the map point first with a massive buffer before the Falcons started pulling in rounds. Winning 5 rounds in a row, Falcons threatened to push the game to OT before a successful retake in A by Spirit closed the game with a 13-8 scoreline. With donk falling behind, tN1R picked up the slack with 24 kills to his name.

Map 2: Anubis; Pick: Falcons; Winner: Spirit

A 3-0 start for Spirit got levelled in no time as Falcons hit back with three of their own. As the half progressed, Spirit and Falcons matched each other to the extent that the CIS squad barely edged out in the more favourable side of Anubis with a 7-5 lead. A contact B rush helped Falcons start the second half with a win, only for donk to score a 3K and take away their momentum. Winning their first round on the defence, Spirit raced to the series point, after which Falcons started mounting rounds. Another futile attempt at a comeback earned Falcons double digits before Spirit closed the map with a 13-10 win. Donk, along with his IGL magixx, topped the charts with 24 kills each, earning them a spot in the semi-finals with a dominant 2-0 performance.

Falcons’ failure to get going on either map sparks concern as fans are still looking for the team that won the Major. Post-Major, Falcons have failed to yield anything significant, and as the final Major of 2026 approaches, there couldn’t be a better time for this side to pull up their socks. Not only have they failed to deliver, but their embarrassing defeat at the hands of Spirit has brought their journey to an end.

EXCLUSIVE: Tencent Files New Ring of Elysium Trademark Three Years After Shutdown, Raising Revival Questions

Ritambhara Tripathi
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EXCLUSIVE: Tencent Files New Ring of Elysium Trademark Three Years After Shutdown, Raising Revival Questions

Tencent has filed a new US trademark application for Ring of Elysium, the battle royale game that shut down in December 2023, with the filing covering gaming software and online services, including virtual reality.

Ring of Elysium could be returning to Tencent’s plans nearly three years after the battle royale game officially shut down, although the company has not announced a revival, sequel or new release. A newly identified United States trademark application shows that Tencent Holdings Limited filed for the Ring of Elysium name and associated logo on August 28, 2026, under serial number 50078820. The application remains pending and covers a broad range of gaming-related goods and services.

The development is notable because Ring of Elysium has been unavailable since December 1, 2023, when its online services were permanently discontinued following a five-year run. Tencent’s decision to file a new application for the same name raises questions about whether the company is considering another use for the property.

However, a trademark application does not establish that a game is in development, and the filing does not identify a launch date, gameplay features or a specific new product.

Tencent files new Ring of Elysium trademark in August 2026

The application was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 28, 2026, listing Tencent Holdings Limited as the applicant. According to the publicly indexed trademark record, the application concerns the Ring of Elysium name and its stylised triangular logo.

The filing includes computer and video game software, online gaming services, esports-related activities, virtual reality game services and software development. Its broad description also covers applications associated with different gaming platforms, although that language should not be interpreted as confirmation that Tencent is developing separate PC, console or virtual reality versions of Ring of Elysium.

The application is currently listed as pending, with no registration number issued. The public record therefore confirms Tencent’s filing but not the eventual registration of the mark.

Ring of Elysium shut down in December 2023

Ring of Elysium originally launched on Steam on September 19, 2018, entering the battle royale market during a period when PUBG and Fortnite had already established the genre as one of gaming’s biggest competitive formats. The game attempted to distinguish itself through environmental survival mechanics, distinctive movement equipment and maps designed around changing weather and terrain.

Its early environments included the snow-covered Mt. Dione and Europa Island, while features such as gliders and tactical traversal abilities offered a different approach to movement from conventional battle royale games. Despite developing a community of players, Ring of Elysium eventually reached the end of its operational life. The developers announced the termination schedule on September 1, 2023, disabling new downloads and payments for in-game purchases on that date.

The game was then permanently discontinued on December 1, 2023, at 12:00 AM Pacific Time, after which players could no longer log in.Those dates were confirmed through Ring of Elysium’s official Steam announcements, which remain publicly accessible.

Could Ring of Elysium make a comeback?

The new trademark creates a reasonable basis for asking whether Tencent intends to use Ring of Elysium again, but the available evidence does not support describing a revival as confirmed. Companies frequently file or maintain trademarks for intellectual-property protection, licensing, merchandising and potential future commercial activities. The inclusion of gaming software and services in an application does not necessarily mean development has begun on a new title.

In Ring of Elysium’s case, the timing is nevertheless noteworthy because Tencent is filing a new US application well after the game’s official termination. The filing also covers the existing brand identity rather than announcing a separately named successor, leaving open several possibilities, including a return of the original property, a different game using the same brand or a purely protective trademark strategy.

No public announcement from Tencent has established which, if any, of those possibilities the company intends to pursue.

Does the trademark confirm Ring of Elysium for consoles or VR?

No. The filing’s references to gaming software, online services and virtual reality are descriptions of commercial activities for which trademark protection is being sought, rather than a development roadmap.

Broad trademark specifications are common in the video game industry because publishers may seek protection across several types of software, platforms and related entertainment services. Consequently, the filing does not establish that Ring of Elysium is being ported to consoles, redesigned for VR or relaunched on PC. Those possibilities remain unconfirmed unless Tencent provides further information.

Tencent has not announced a new Ring of Elysium game

For now, the only new development established by the public record is Tencent’s August 28 trademark application.

The company’s original shutdown announcement remains the latest confirmed operational status of Ring of Elysium, and there is no verified reopening date, playable beta or new product announcement attached to the filing. The application nevertheless places the dormant battle royale name back into the public record at a time when several older multiplayer properties have struggled to retain their audiences.

Whether Tencent is protecting an existing asset or preparing to give Ring of Elysium another opportunity remains unanswered. Any confirmation of a revival would need to come from a subsequent company announcement or independently verifiable development evidence, rather than the trademark alone.

Wardogs Season 2 to Add New Weapons, Vehicles, and a Gambling Vendor: Patch Preview

Sonu Banerjee
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Wardogs Season 2 to Add New Weapons, Vehicles, and a Gambling Vendor: Patch Preview

With Season 1 of Bulkhead’s new warfare FPS title Wardogs rapidly nearing its conclusion, the devs behind the title have revealed a first look at what fans can expect heading into Season 2.

Wardogs Season 2 is expected to bring a plethora of new content to the game, ranging from new weapons and vehicles to completely new game mechanics that will let players gamble on their own actions.

The devs are also addressing a lot of concerns that surfaced within the community over the course of the first season, curbing strategies that were becoming increasingly dominant while altering ways in which players can progress.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at all the changes that Bulkhead has in store for its fans ahead of Wardogs Season 2.

Wardogs Season 2 Changes: Early Release Notes

While the full patch notes for Wardogs Season 2 have yet to be revealed, Bulkhead has shed light on a lot of the upcoming content in a recent patch preview post.

Here’s everything that was revealed in Wardogs’ Season 2 patch preview:

Four New Weapons

  • TCX Spear – Assault Rifle
  • M14 – DMR
  • PP-19 Bizon – SMG
  • Evo-3 Ultra – LMG

Players can also expect a range of new attachments to arrive alongside these weapons.

New Throwable

  • Molotov – An incendiary that splashes fire on impact and damages anyone caught in its radius

Four New Vehicles

  • Wolf-110 – A fast, light wheeled transport.
  • Wolf-110 (Assault) – The Wolf-110 with a ring-mounted M2 Browning.
  • T-72 – A battle tank that’s slower than the Leopard, but cheaper and more fuel-efficient.
  • Flakpanzer Gepard – A dedicated Anti-Air Vehicle.

Three New Buildables

  • MG Nest – A manned M2 Browning emplacement.
  • Large Shelter – A large metal shelter.
  • Wooden Step – A wooden step.

New Rain Weather Preset

  • A new weather preset that changes visibility, engagement, and sound. Rain interacts with the environment, including damaged and destroyed structures. Thunder is synchronised across the server and can temporarily mask footsteps, opening up new tactical opportunities mid-fight.

New Wager Vendor (Experimental)

  • The Wager Vendor lets you bet on yourself
  • Choose your objectives, set how many deaths you’re willing to spend completing them, then set your stake and try to profit against the odds. Getting X kills in the hotzone, delivering a number of players, and more besides. The more objectives you stack onto a wager, the longer the odds and the bigger the payout.
  • A live wager tracker sits above the minimap, showing your stake and your progress toward winning or losing it.

Balance Updates

  • Infrared Rangefinder – Now runs on batteries.
  • Helmets – The Super Heavy Helmet now comes with muffled audio, a restricted field of view, and will fog over when you’re sprinting. Heavy and Super Heavy helmets also get increased suppression resistance in line with the new suppression changes, so they fulfil their protective role in more ways than just damage reduction.
  • Combat balancing – Adjustments to weapon damage, recoi,l and suppression, with the aim of establishing clearer roles across weapon classes.

Season 2 will also bring improvements to squad coordination, vehicle handling, controller responsiveness and progression, additional rewards for teamplay and logistics, plus performance optimisations, bug fixes, and server stability work.

Faction Balance

  • All faction spawns have moved on Bakurani.
  • Lonestar uniforms are more desaturated, so they stand out less against the other factions.
  • Lonestar faction cash and XP win bonus, Season 2 only.
  • Lonestar faction cash and XP multipliers, Season 2 only.
  • A new vendor discount for the losing team: 20% off if they’re at least 40 points behind second place. This applies to all teams, not just Lonestar.
  • Community server hosts found to be exploiting the faction bonus will be punished.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer Players Are Crashing on Purpose to Go Faster, Fuse Games Says on PlayStation Podcast

Pranav Nalawade
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Star Wars: Galactic Racer Players Are Crashing on Purpose to Go Faster, Fuse Games Says on PlayStation Podcast

Star Wars: Galactic Racer players are driving into walls on purpose. It works. Matt Webster, co-founder of developer Fuse Games, described the trick on Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 550, which went live on October 9, 2026, three days after the game launched.

Webster joined creative director Kieran Crimmins for a chat with PlayStation’s Gillen McAllister and his co-host Jim, and the pair also went deep on the Hail Mary part, the betting system in multiplayer leagues and the top speed of a fully upgraded podracer.

Why Crashing Makes You Faster in Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Galactic Racer speeder using afterburner boost

It starts with status effects. Collide with a rival, clip the scenery or race through harsh weather, and the game can tag your vehicle with a status. System malfunction is one of them. Someone hits you, your systems glitch out and your craft is left vulnerable.

A handful of parts only switch on during a malfunction. Webster’s example was a part that makes your afterburner 50% more powerful while the malfunction lasts, and players worked out pretty quickly that they could trigger it themselves.

“So this person was hitting the wall to go faster,” Webster said. He told the hosts he had never seen anything like it in a racing game and credited the way the team’s parts combine, pushing players toward habits other racers would punish.

StepWhat happens
Equip a malfunction partExample: a part that boosts your afterburner during a system malfunction
Hit a wall or a rivalYour vehicle enters the system malfunction status
Fire the afterburnerIn Webster’s example, it is 50% more powerful while malfunctioning
The catchYour vehicle stays vulnerable until the malfunction ends

Over 300 Parts Add Up to “Trillions” of Builds

Star Wars Galactic Racer paddock workshop vehicle parts customization

Galactic Racer ships with more than 300 parts. Stack those with abilities, racing styles and favors, and the number of possible vehicle builds gets silly. Webster admitted the studio hasn’t seen every combination.

Crimmins went further. “There’s trillions. We literally can’t see them all.”

The Hail Mary Part Turns Overheating Into a Gamble

Galactic Racer speeder racing across a frozen planet track

Your ramjet is the fastest tool you have, and it runs hot. Hold the boost long enough and the gauge hits the red line. Stay there and the craft blows up.

Hail Mary gives you a chance to survive. Webster said some of his favorite multiplayer moments came from leaning on it, holding the button way past the safe point and praying the part kicks in. When it fails, his race is over. When it holds, he said he feels amazing.

Where you race changes the odds. Desert planets push the ramjet toward overheating faster, while on frozen worlds you can keep it burning longer at the cost of handling, since the extreme cold makes vehicles harder to control.

How Galactic Racer Multiplayer Keeps Losing Players in the League

In most tournament formats, one bad early race is enough to make people leave the lobby. Crimmins said Fuse flipped that around. Every race before the final is a build phase where you chase parts and upgrades, and only the last race decides the winner.

A full league runs about 25 to 40 minutes. Webster walked through the gambling layer that sits on top. During the build phase you predict where you’ll finish, and a better call earns better rewards. You can also mark other players as rivals so you can follow them during races. Then, before the final showdown, everyone bets on a winner. That includes deciding how hard to back yourself.

One of the hosts found a sneaky use for this. He was losing badly, so he marked the likely winner as his rival and spent the final race protecting him.

Short on time? Quick Races drop you into a single event with a fixed build, for speeders or podracers.

Podracers Are Three to Four Times Faster Than Everything Else

Podracers mostly get their own tracks and conditions. They’re far more fragile than the speeders, and once fully upgraded they run roughly three to four times quicker than anything else in the game, according to the developers.

The story explains why they’re rare. League founder Darius Pax says in the prologue that podracing may be the ultimate form of racing, but almost nobody in the galaxy can fly one. Fuse has also talked about why it skipped a straight Episode 1: Racer remake.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer Game Modes Explained

Crimmins said each of the four modes fits a different mood, and a different amount of free time.

ModeWhat it offers
CampaignShade’s full story through the Galactic League, plus the core runs-based build system
ScenariosCharacter-based challenges with a narrower set of parts and abilities for extreme builds
ArcadeFixed builds and time trials you can compare with friends
MultiplayerLeague mode (about 25 to 40 minutes) plus Quick Races for speeders and podracers

Is Star Wars: Galactic Racer Out Now?

Yes. It launched on October 6, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Fuse Games, a studio founded by former Criterion developers who worked on Burnout and Need for Speed, built it with Lucasfilm Games, and Secret Mode publishes it.

You play as Shade, a newcomer to the Galactic League. It’s an unsanctioned Outer Rim circuit that sprang up after the Empire fell, and Kestar Bool currently runs it with plenty of dirty tricks. The State of Play gameplay trailer shows a few of the tracks.

PlayStation’s October is crowded. Valor Mortis lands on October 13. Sony keeps nudging players toward digital, yet Marvel’s Wolverine physical sales suggest disc buyers are sticking around. Planning an upgrade before GTA 6? Read our take on whether a used PS5 Pro is worth the money.

FAQ

Why do players crash on purpose in Star Wars: Galactic Racer?

Getting hit puts your vehicle into a system malfunction. Some parts reward that state, like one that makes your afterburner 50% stronger, so players hit walls deliberately to switch the bonus on.

What does the Hail Mary part do?

It gives your craft a chance to survive when the ramjet sits in the red line too long. Without it, you explode.

How many parts are in Star Wars: Galactic Racer?

Over 300. Combined with abilities, racing styles and favors, Fuse Games says there are trillions of possible builds.

How fast are podracers in Galactic Racer?

Roughly three to four times faster than every other vehicle once fully upgraded.

How long is a multiplayer league in Galactic Racer?

About 25 to 40 minutes. Every race before the final showdown counts as a build phase.

How to Get the Free Infinity Gauntlet Accessory in Marvel Rivals

Divyesh Moghe
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How to Get the Free Infinity Gauntlet Accessory in Marvel Rivals

The Infinity Gauntlet accessory in Marvel Rivals is free. To unlock it, finish the final mission in the Avengers: Infinity War mode, which asks you to take 10 Infinity Stones from other teams. The mode is part of the Path to Doomsday event. It went live with Season 10.5 on October 9, 2026, and runs until December 11.

That price caused some confusion on launch day. The official Season 10.5 patch notes listed the gauntlet under “New In Store.” Early community posts said it would cost 800 Units. NetEase then posted a correction on the official Marvel Rivals Discord: the accessory won’t be sold in the store, and you can claim it for free by completing the event’s mission objectives.

Marvel Rivals patch-notes Discord post correcting that the Infinity Gauntlet accessory will be available for free through Path to Doomsday event missions.
DetailInfo
RewardInfinity Gauntlet accessory
PriceFree (not sold in the store)
ModePath to Doomsday: Avengers: Infinity War (duo mode)
MissionTake 10 Infinity Stones from other teams
Available fromOctober 9, 2026, 09:00 UTC
Mode endsDecember 11, 2026, 09:00 UTC (2:30 PM IST)
Eligible heroes13 heroes from the Avengers films

How to Unlock the Infinity Gauntlet Accessory for Free

You get the gauntlet by completing the last mission in the Infinity War mode. Here is the full path:

  1. Update Marvel Rivals to the Season 10.5 build (Version 20261009).
  2. Pick the Avengers: Infinity War mode from the Path to Doomsday event.
  3. Queue with a friend as a duo, or go in solo and get a random partner.
  4. Knock other duos out of the match to take their Infinity Stones.
  5. Keep playing until you’ve taken 10 stones in total. The mission adds up your stones across matches.
  6. Open the Path to Doomsday event page and claim the gauntlet.

This mission is the hardest one in the mode. You only get credit for stones taken from other teams, so the stone your duo starts with doesn’t count.

How the Avengers: Infinity War Mode Works

Avengers: Infinity War is a tournament-style mode for 12 players. They’re split into six duos, and in each round two duos fight a deathmatch.

Every duo starts with one of the six Infinity Stones, and each stone gives a strong ability you can awaken. Losing a round costs your team health. When your health runs out, you’re eliminated, and the duo that knocked you out takes your stone. The first duo to hold all six stones wins.

Between rounds, you choose from random roguelite cards that boost your hero’s stats and abilities. So no two matches play out the same. You build around whatever cards you get.

Mode ruleHow it works
Players12 (six duos)
RoundsDuo vs duo deathmatch
Losing a roundYour team loses health
EliminationHealth hits zero, and your stone goes to the winners
Win conditionFirst duo to hold all six Infinity Stones
UpgradesRoguelite cards between rounds
Hero pool13 Avengers film heroes

How Many Matches Does It Take to Get 10 Infinity Stones?

It takes at least two matches. With six stones in a match and one already in your hands, the most you can take from other teams in one game is five. A perfect run of two wins gets you to exactly 10.

Most players will need more than that. If your duo gets knocked out early, you might take one stone or none at all. Since you have two months, there’s no rush. Even so, finish it before the last week so a busy queue or a late patch doesn’t catch you out.

Tips to Collect Infinity Stones Faster

Play with a friend on voice chat. A random partner can work, but knock-outs come quicker when the two of you go after the same target.

Pick cards that build on what your hero already does. If you’re on Iron Man, take damage cards. Mantis and Rocket players should take healing and support cards, which keep their partner alive through long rounds. Don’t spread your picks across stats your hero barely uses.

Also, use your stone’s ability. Every stone can be awakened, and a lot of players save theirs for too long. When an elimination is close, spend it.

Heroes That Can Use the Infinity Gauntlet Accessory

According to early hands-on coverage, the 13 heroes in the mode can all equip the gauntlet. That’s the full Avengers: Infinity War hero pool.

HeroRole
Iron ManDuelist
Captain AmericaVanguard
ThorVanguard
Doctor StrangeVanguard
GrootVanguard
Scarlet WitchDuelist
Winter SoldierDuelist
Spider-ManDuelist
Black PantherDuelist
Star-LordDuelist
Black WidowDuelist
Rocket RaccoonStrategist
MantisStrategist

What the Infinity Gauntlet Pop-Up Effect Looks Like

The accessory adds a pop-up that triggers when you get a knock-out or an assist, the same as other accessories in the game. The gauntlet shows up holding all six Infinity Stones, glows, and then does the finger snap from the films.

Other Free Rewards in Marvel Rivals Season 10.5

The gauntlet is one of several free rewards in Season 10.5. The Path to Doomsday missions also give out Unstable Molecules and Units. The Infinity Finale season event runs until December 10, 2026, and gives Thor’s The Avengers costume for free.

You can also earn the free Angela skin through Season 10.5 Twitch Drops by watching streams. On October 22, the 50-player Thanos PvE mode inspired by Avengers: Endgame arrives. Dot Esports reports that it’s set in the ruins of the Avengers Compound. If you play Iron Man or Scarlet Witch in the duo mode, read up on the Season 10.5 balance changes first, because both heroes were tuned this patch.

FAQ

Is the Infinity Gauntlet accessory free in Marvel Rivals?
Yes. NetEase confirmed on the official Marvel Rivals Discord that the accessory won’t be sold in the store. You claim it by completing the mission objectives in the Path to Doomsday: Avengers: Infinity War event.

Does the Infinity Gauntlet cost 800 Units?
No. Early reports and the “New In Store” listing in the patch notes suggested a store price of 800 Units. NetEase corrected this, and the gauntlet is a free event reward.

When does the Infinity Gauntlet mission end?
The Avengers: Infinity War mode runs until December 11, 2026, at 09:00 UTC, which is 2:30 PM IST. Finish the 10-stone mission before then, or the accessory will no longer be available.

Do I need to collect 10 Infinity Stones in one match?
No. A match has only six stones and you start with one, so you can take at most five per game. Your progress adds up across matches.

Can I play the Infinity War mode solo?
Yes. You can queue alone and get a random duo partner. Playing with a friend on voice chat makes eliminations easier, though.

BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals Day 2 Standings: Godlike Storms to 1st Place, Followed by Apex

Aditya Parsutkar
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BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals Day 2 Standings: Godlike Storms to 1st Place, Followed by Apex

BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals Day 2 concluded in Hyderabad with an amazing six games. Godlike Esports dominated the day by scoring a total of 78 points on the second day. With this, the team has climbed up to the top of the BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals overall standings. Team Apex Gaming also played consistently, securing 2nd place, followed by Vasista Esports and Nebula Esports. Check out the BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals Day 2 points table below.

BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals Overall Standings

  • 1st Place: GodLike Esports – 102 Points
  • 2nd Place: Team Apex Gaming – 94 Points
  • 3rd Place: Vasista Esports – 79 Points
  • 4th Place: Nebula Esports – 73 Points
  • 5th Place: K9 Esports – 71 Points
  • 6th Place: Genesis Esports – 67 Points
  • 7th Place: Team Outrage – 58 Points
  • 8th Place: Myth Official – 56 Points
  • 9th Place: Welt Esports – 54 Points
  • 10th Place: Hyper-Catz – 53 Points
  • 11th Place: Team Tamilas – 49 Points
  • 12th Place: Cultrex Esports x Zero Ark – 47 Points
  • 13th Place: 4TR Official – 47 Points
  • 14th Place: Wyld Fangs – 46 Points
  • 15th Place: MadKings – 37 Points
  • 16th Place: Rapid Chaos Esports – 37 Points
  • 17th Place: Team Soul – 35 Points
  • 18th Place: 7Gods Esports – 32 Points
  • 19th Place: Learn From Past – 31 Points
  • 20th Place: Version1 x Blue Army – 30 Points
  • 21st Place: Team AX – 29 Points
  • 22nd Place: Gladiators Esports – 27 Points
  • 23rd Place: Orangutan – 23 Points
  • 24th Place: Elite Nova Esports – 12 Points

The top two teams, Godlike Esports and Team Apex Gaming, have almost confirmed Grand Finals spots with their first two performance. Now they just need to be consistent in the remaining two days of play.

12 more matches are left in the BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals, and the top 8 teams will qualify for the Grand Finals while the rest of the teams will have to play Last Chance Qualifiers.

Read More: Justin Leads BMSD 2026 MVP Race Ahead of Semi Finals

BGMI Showdown 2026 Semi-Finals Format

The BMSD 2026 Semi-Finals will take place from October 8 to 11.

All 24 teams have been divided into three groups of eight teams each. A total of 24 matches will be played across four days, with each team competing in 16 matches.

After all matches are completed, the top eight teams in the overall standings will directly qualify for the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals.

Teams finishing from 9th to 24th will move to the Last Chance stage on October 12 and 13, where only four teams will qualify for the Grand Finals.

The BMSD 2026 Grand Finals will take place from October 16 to 18 in Hyderabad.

Is Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on Game Pass? Price, Xbox Details and Every Game Out October 9

Satyam Kumar
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Is Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on Game Pass? Price, Xbox Details and Every Game Out October 9

No, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is not on Game Pass. The expansion came out on Xbox Series X|S today, October 9, 2026, and you have to buy it. It costs $29.99 as DLC for current owners, or $49.99 as a bundle with the base game. Six other Xbox games also launched today, and none of them are on Game Pass.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen Game Pass status

Capcom’s official Dark Arisen announcement lists Xbox Series X|S as a launch platform. It doesn’t mention Game Pass. Today’s Xbox release lists also show no Game Pass games on October 9.

To check yourself, search “Dark Arisen” in the Xbox app or the Microsoft Store. If the listing shows a price and no Game Pass badge, it is a paid release.

If you want something new on Game Pass this month, Valor Mortis and Battlefield 6 are both due on October 13. Our Valor Mortis Game Pass release time guide covers the tiers and times.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen price on Xbox

OptionPrice (USD MSRP)What you getWho it is for
Dark Arisen Expansion$29.99Expansion only (DLC)Players who already own Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dark Arisen bundle$49.99Base game plus expansionNew players

These prices come from RPG Site’s launch report. In Europe, Steam lists the expansion at €29.99 and the bundle at €49.99. Console prices can differ by region, so check the store in your country.

The bundle is the cheaper choice if you don’t own the base game yet. Buying the base game and the DLC separately usually costs more.

What Dark Arisen adds to Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dark Arisen is the first major expansion for Capcom’s 2024 RPG. Here is what it adds:

  • A new region: Norgan, a long-abandoned area in the north with snowy terrain and cold-weather mechanics.
  • A new ally: Eir, who is looking into an undying Fallen Dragon.
  • 12 Lost Rites dungeons: challenge dungeons with rare equipment.
  • Relics: you dig up relics or take them from monsters, then have them appraised to unlock skills and stronger weapons.
  • Character creator options: new hairstyles and tattoos for the Arisen and pawns.

It adds no new vocations (classes). Push Square gave Dark Arisen 9/10. The reviewer took about 50 hours to finish the main story and many side quests, and a full endgame opens after that.

Capcom also released two base game updates before launch. The June update added the reusable Eternal Ferrystone for fast travel. The late-August update improved frame rates and added save slots.

Every new Xbox game out today, October 9, 2026

GameTypePlatformsGame Pass
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark ArisenOpen-world RPG expansionXbox Series XS, PS5, PC, Switch 2
PAPERHEADBoomer shooter with horror elementsXbox Series XS, PS5, PC
Cozy MeowmorySpot-the-difference game with catsXbox (Play Anywhere)No
HORSE CLUB Ride WestWestern horse riding adventureXboxNo
Sesame Street: Friends & FunFamily game for young kidsXboxNo
Tiny Techie in Puzzle LandPixel-art puzzle gameXboxNo
Whisker MessCat-themed tile puzzleXboxNo

PAPERHEAD is the other notable launch. It is a fast shooter set in a cardboard world, made by Kazakhstan studio Paperhead te4m and published by HypeTrain Digital. A pencil-drawing mechanic lets you change the environment. A free prologue, PAPERHEAD EP.0, is available if you want to try it first.

The other five are small family and puzzle games. Cozy Meowmory and Whisker Mess both have cat themes. Sesame Street: Friends & Fun is made for young children.

Should you buy Dark Arisen now or wait?

If you already finished Dragon’s Dogma 2, the $29.99 expansion gives you a new region and a long campaign. Early reviews are strong. If you never played the base game, the $49.99 bundle is the better deal.

If you only play through Game Pass, nothing here is included. Capcom hasn’t announced any plan to add Dragon’s Dogma 2 to the service.

Planning to record your first trip into Norgan? Xbox now lets you include voice chat in game captures for Insiders. If you’re thinking about new hardware for the holidays, see the reported Xbox Series X25 price and release date.

FAQ

Is Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on Xbox Game Pass?
No. Dark Arisen launched on Xbox Series X|S on October 9, 2026 as a paid release. It costs $29.99 as DLC or $49.99 as a bundle with the base game. Capcom’s announcement doesn’t mention Game Pass, and no Game Pass games launched on Xbox that day.

Do I need Dragon’s Dogma 2 to play Dark Arisen?
It depends on what you buy. The $29.99 expansion on Xbox, PS5 and PC needs the base game. The $49.99 Dark Arisen bundle includes the base game, so new players don’t need to own anything first. On Switch 2, Capcom sells it only as the bundle.

Is Dark Arisen on Xbox One?
No. Capcom lists Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC through Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Dragon’s Dogma 2 never released on Xbox One, so the expansion is not there either. Xbox One owners would need Xbox Cloud Gaming if it is supported in their region.

How long is Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen?
Push Square’s reviewer took about 50 hours to finish the main story and many side quests. A full endgame opens after that. If you focus only on the main story, expect it to take less time. The 12 Lost Rites dungeons add extra playtime on top.

CS2 Cheat Forums Explode as New VAC Live Update Reportedly Bans “99.9%” of Cheaters

Sonu Banerjee
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CS2 Cheat Forums Explode as New VAC Live Update Reportedly Bans “99.9%” of Cheaters

Over the past few hours, Counter-Strike 2 cheat communities have erupted in panic after reports of a new silent VAC Live update from Valve began circulating on Friday.

An X post from CS2 news account “Ozzny_CS2” shared screenshots from private cheat forums and Discord servers showing cheat devs and users urgently warning others to stay away from Premier and other VAC-secured game modes.

“Don’t play Premier; you’ll get VAC-banned 99.9% of the time,” the title of a post on the forum reads.

Shortly after today’s CS2 update went live, multiple users on these forums started claiming that VAC live was now detecting a wide range of cheats, including wallhacks, aimbots, and other kinds of cheats, even the configurations running in “safemode.”

Players across reported receiving sudden VAC cooldowns and flags mid-match. Several admitted to getting hit while using only wallhacks or limited aim features, with some stating they were banned or cooldowned across multiple games.

It didn’t take long for these cheat providers to go into full panic mode, quickly issuing alerts on Discord with messages such as “VAC Live [vacnet] has been updated. Stop playing semi-rage” and “Looks like the VACNET GOT UPDATED. Don’t play PREMIER or anything related to it!”

The warnings from the cheat devs also included screenshots of cancelled matches, which is a sign of VAC Live intervening in ongoing games and removing a detected player from the game.

The CS2 community noted a clear increase in these VAC Live interruptions since the past update, further reinforcing the belief that VAC had been strengthened.

As is typical with Valve’s approach to anti-cheat, there has been no official confirmation or patch notes regarding the silent VAC Live update. All claims currently stem from player reports and internal discussions within the cheating scene.

VAC Live, Valve’s real-time behavioral detection system, has previously triggered similar waves of detections. However, that hasn’t nearly been enough to keep the cheating problem at bay.

This latest ban wave comes only a couple of months after CS2 launched its VACNet Labeling Portal. For the unaware, the VACNet Labeling Portal enables CS2 players to train the game’s anti-cheat system by labeling suspected clips for cheating.

Needless to say, for regular CS2 players, any improvement in VAC is welcome news for a game that’s long been plagued by cheating issues, particularly in ranked Premier matchmaking. Whether this latest reported update delivers lasting results or proves to be another temporary detection wave still remains to be seen.

For now, CS2 players can enjoy the chaos unfolding in the cheater forums as thousands of hackers find themselves getting VAC-banned from the game.

Valve Buffs AUG With Its Latest CS2 Update
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