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MIBR Outshines Astralis in IEM Katowice Play-in

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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MIBR Outshines Astralis in IEM Katowice Play-in

MIBR has stunned beating an in-form Astralis 2-0 in IEM Katowice despite coming in as the second favorite as predicted by analysts. Insane has kept his hot hand from 2024 as MIBR has evolved into a force to be reckoned with.

VETO

  • Astralis removed Anubis
  • MIBR removed Dust2
  • Astralis picked Mirage
  • MIBR picked Ancient
  • Astralis removed Nuke
  • MIBR removed Inferno
  • Train was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: Astralis; Winner: MIBR

Despite a strong start, Astralis failed to keep their momentum up for long on the defence with MIBR coming in with solid rounds that broke the momentum of the Danish side. stavn proved to be a lethal assent for the Danes on the defence but that form wasn’t enough to get it to the next half. MIBR in their defence put up a sublime show which made sure their two-round lead did not last for long. Astralis managed to trade rounds on their offense, pushing the game to OT. In overtime, Astralis dropped the ball as MIBR managed to clean-sweep in a dominant fashion winning the map 16-12.

Map 2: Ancient; Pick: MIBR; Winner: MIBR

Starting on the T side, MIBR managed to kick their map pick off with a pistol round win and it wasn’t until the fourth round that Astralis got on the board. Astralis managed to pull in a few rounds but MIBR edged out a two-round lead in the first half. Astralis started off the T side on a high note but MIBR caught hold of the game later in the half and managed to push the game over the line. insane with 22 kills dominated the Danes, becoming too much for them to handle as MIBR secured their first win of the event.

Valorant Cheating Spiked During 2024 Holidays: Report

Aritra Patra
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0
Valorant Cheating Spiked During 2024 Holidays: Report

Valorant experienced a surge in cheating activity during the 2024 holiday season and early 2025, raising concerns within the player community. Riot Games acknowledged the issue, with Phillip Koskinas, the head of anti-cheat, explaining that reduced staffing during the holiday break contributed to the increase. With fewer employees available to actively combat and patch against new cheating methods, malicious actors took advantage.

The problem was particularly pronounced in regions like Brazil, where a staggering 10% of ranked matches were plagued by cheaters. Koskinas confirmed the community’s suspicions in a post on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the heightened level of cheating during the holiday period. In some regions like Brazil, the “pixelbot” or “colourbot” cheat was particularly widespread.

This relatively simple exploit works by analyzing screen frames, identifying enemy outlines, and automatically aiming at them. Koskinas also highlighted issues in the Asia Pacific region, where some Chinese cheaters used VPNs to circumvent identity verification and play on servers outside their region.  

Fortunately, Riot Games has since addressed the problem. Koskinas stated that the situation is now under control, with the global percentage of ranked games containing cheaters dropping back down to around 1%. To prevent similar spikes in the future, Riot plans to implement “surprise” anti-cheat updates during holiday periods.  

Valorant Cheating Spiked During 2024 Holidays
Valorant Cheating Spiked During 2024 Holidays (Image Via: X)

The intensity of Riot’s response is evident in the numbers. From January 10th to 13th, their Vanguard anti-cheat system issued bans at a rate of nearly seven accounts per minute, marking the highest sustained ban rate they’ve ever recorded. Impressively, cheaters were being banned after an average of just six games, the quickest turnaround currently achievable.  

Beyond the anti-cheat efforts, Valorant has also seen recent content updates. Patch 10.00, released in early January, introduced Tejo, a new Initiator agent hailing from Colombia. The update also shuffled the Competitive and Deathmatch map pools, adding Fracture and Lotus while removing Ascent and Sunset.

ESL Announces IEM Katowice Stage 2 Will Be Played on the New Patch

Aritra Patra
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0
ESL Announces IEM Katowice Stage 2 Will Be Played on the New Patch

ESL has revealed a split-patch format for the upcoming IEM Katowice tournament. The initial stage of the competition will utilize the current game version, while the latter stage will shift to the newly released patch.

This patch transition also impacts other ESL events. Both the ESL Challenger League and the IEM Dallas qualifiers will be contested on the updated version.

Key adjustments within this new patch include a price decrease for the M4A4, bringing it in line with the M4A1-S at $2900. The FAMAS also received some love, improved accuracy, and a price reduction of $1950. Finally, the update targets the run-and-gun meta, reducing crouching accuracy for the MP9, MP5, and MP7 submachine guns.

While the recent update officially added Train to the active duty map pool, this change has had a minimal impact on IEM Katowice. ESL had already integrated Train into their map rotation prior to its official inclusion, and the map will feature in both stages of the tournament, regardless of the patch version.

CS2 Premier Season 2: M4A4 Price Drop, Map Pool Updates & More

CS2 Premier Season 2 Begins: M4A4 & FAMAS Price Cuts, Train Added To Map Pool, Full Patch Notes

Sonu Banerjee
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CS2 Premier Season 2 Begins: M4A4 & FAMAS Price Cuts, Train Added To Map Pool, Full Patch Notes

Just a day after the Counter-Strike 2 Premier mode went offline following the end of Season 1, Valve has officially launched Season 2 of CS2 Premier with a fresh gameplay update on January 28.

The new CS2 update brings with it a number of exciting changes to the competitive shooter, including price cuts for two of the most widely used CT-side guns, a change in the Active Duty map pool, and more.

Alongside the gameplay changes, commemorative medals have been awarded to players who participated in the first season of CS2 Premier, displaying their detailed season statistics.

CS2 Premier Season 2 Patch Notes

One of the biggest changes in the latest CS2 patch is undoubtedly the price drop for the M4A4 and FAMAS, with the former now priced at $2,900 and the latter reduced to $1,950.

Another notable change is the addition of Train to the active map rotation, replacing Vertigo in the Premier pool.

Other than that, the update also cuts the crouching accuracy for the MP9, MP5-SD, and MP7, while adjusting the scope dot on AUG/SG to be more useable at range.

Without further ado, let’s check out the detailed patch notes for the CS2 Premier Season 2 update, as confirmed by the devs:

[ PREMIER ]

  • Premier Season Two is here, and Premier matchmaking has resumed
  • Every player who earned a CS Rating during Season One will receive a commemorative Premier Season One Medal which includes detailed Season Statistics
  • Every player will have their CS Rating recalibrated based on their Season One performance, and will need to re-establish their CS Rating by winning 10 matches
  • Train has been added to the Active Duty map pool
  • Vertigo has been removed from the Active Duty map pool

[ GAMEPLAY ]

  • M4A4 price reduced to $2,900
  • FAMAS accuracy improved and price reduced to $1,950
  • Reduced crouching accuracy for the MP9, MP5-SD, and MP7
  • Adjusted scope dot on AUG/SG to be more useable at range

[ UI ]

  • Added a new radar dynamic zoom option that will grow or shrink the radar to include your team mates, bomb and other detected elements
  • Adjusted grenade order in spectator UI to match weapon selection order
  • Increased brightness of carried C4 in UI

[ MAPS ]
Train

  • Removed a boost angle from Long Dog to Bombsite A
  • Fixed lighting artifacts on double-sided materials

[ MISC ]

  • Added fallback logic to allow playing incomplete demo files, either copied from an ongoing live match or recovered after a game server crash
  • Fixed an exploit where users could use secondary fire on R8 Revolver and then sell it back
  • Counter-strafe summaries are now available in game server log data distributed via log address in addition to console logs

The second season of CS2 Premier is already underway, and fans have until the end of the Austin Major to grind for their dream rank. At the end of Season 2, eligible players will receive their own Premier Season Two Medals, with the color corresponding to their highest CS Rating achieved during the season.

Snapdragon MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC Challenge Finals: Dates, Teams, Venue, and Format

Moin Khot
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Snapdragon MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC Challenge Finals: Dates, Teams, Venue, and Format

The MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC Challenge Finals is set to become one of the most exciting events in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports scene. Scheduled to take place from February 10 to 16, 2025, the tournament will be hosted at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Malaysia. This premier event promises intense competition as 12 elite teams battle for their share of the $150,000 prize pool and five coveted spots in the Snapdragon Mobile Masters 2025.

MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC Complete Overview

The MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC Finals is divided into two main phases to ensure fair and competitive gameplay:

Group Stage: February 10-12, 2025

  • 12 teams split into two groups of six.
  • Each group will play a round-robin format, where every team competes against others in their group.
  • The top three teams from each group will progress to the Playoffs, while the others face elimination.

Playoffs: February 14-16, 2025

  • Six teams will compete in a hybrid elimination bracket.
  • This phase will determine the final rankings and the ultimate champion.

Participating Teams in MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC

The Season 6 APAC Challenge Finals features an exciting mix of qualified teams and invited teams:

Qualified Teams:

  1. Bigetron Alpha
  2. ONIC Philippines
  3. EVOS Holy
  4. RRQ Hoshi
  5. Aurora Gaming
  6. Team Liquid ID

Invited Teams:

  1. NIP Flash
  2. See You Soon
  3. Selangor Red Giants
  4. Falcon Esports
  5. Falcons AP.Bren
  6. ONIC

Prize Pool Breakdown

The $150,000 prize pool will be distributed as follows:

  • 1st Place: $65,000
  • 2nd Place: $32,000
  • 3rd Place: $17,000
  • 4th Place: $10,000
  • 5th-6th Place: $5,500 each
  • 7th-8th Place: $3,700 each
  • 9th-10th Place: $2,000 each
  • 11th-12th Place: $1,800 each

Fans can follow the action live via official MLBB Pro Series S6 APAC streaming platforms. Stay tuned for updates on match schedules, highlights, and team performances.

Stay ahead in the world of esports with the TalkEsport app! Download now to get instant access to the latest news, live points tables, comprehensive esports calendars, and live streams of your favorite tournaments. Don’t miss out—get the app today.

Olympic Esports Games Delayed – Event Postponed to 2026 or 2027

Pranav Nalawade
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Olympic Esports Games Delayed – Event Postponed to 2026 or 2027

The inaugural Olympic Esports Games, initially planned for 2025 in Saudi Arabia, have been postponed. According to reports from January 27, 2025, the event is now expected to take place in 2026 or 2027.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on this delay to develop a new organizing concept. Traditional structures, like National Olympic Committees and International Federations, don’t fit well with esports. This mismatch has led to challenges in planning the event.

As of now, details about the games to be played, the qualifying processes, and the venues remain unannounced. The IOC believes that more time is needed to finalize these aspects.

Esports have been gaining recognition worldwide. In 2024, the Paris Organising Committee considered including esports in the Olympic program. However, the IOC decided not to include them in the 2024 Olympics.

Olympic Esports Games Delayed – Event Postponed to 2026 or 2027

The Olympic Esports Games aim to bridge the gap between traditional sports and competitive gaming. The delay indicates the IOC’s commitment to ensuring a well-organized and successful event.

The choice of Saudi Arabia as the host country has raised questions. Some are concerned about the country’s human rights record. Others see it as an opportunity to promote esports in the Middle East. The IOC has not commented on these concerns.

The delay also affects athletes and teams preparing for the event. Many have invested time and resources into training. Now, they must adjust their plans to align with the new schedule.

Sponsors and partners are also impacted. They had planned marketing campaigns around the original 2025 date. With the postponement, they need to revise their strategies.

The IOC faces challenges in integrating esports into the Olympic framework. Esports differ from traditional sports in many ways. Finding common ground is essential for the event’s success.

Despite the delay, the future of esports in the Olympic movement looks promising. The IOC’s dedication to organizing the Olympic Esports Games shows a recognition of the growing importance of competitive gaming.

While the postponement is a setback, it provides an opportunity. The IOC can now work on creating a more robust and inclusive event. The esports community and fans worldwide eagerly await further announcements.

Valve Disables CS2 Premier Ahead of Season 2 Launch

Sonu Banerjee
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0
Valve Disables CS2 Premier Ahead of Season 2 Launch

Valve has temporarily taken down the Premier mode in CS2 as the devs prepare to ship out the highly anticipated Season 2 update for the competitive shooter.

The news was confirmed by the official Counter-Strike 2 X (formerly Twitter) handle in a recent post.

“Season One of Premier has concluded,” the post reads. “As a result, Premier has been temporarily disabled in-game and will return soon.”

CS2 Premier Season 1 Ends

After a period of 488 days since the game’s initial release on September 27, 2023, Season 1 of CS2 Premier has come to an end.

In case you haven’t had the chance to check out Valve’s previous announcement on the topic, players who participated in CS2 Premier Season 1 will get a commemorative medal displaying their detailed season statistics. Once the new update is shipped to the game, players will be able to find the medal in their CS2 inventory.

CS2 Premier Mode Temporarily Disabled

The CS2 Premier mode has been temporarily disabled by Valve ahead of the Season 2 update. As confirmed by devs earlier, the mode will remain unavailable for just one day before the new season is rolled out.”

With the CS2 Premier Season 2 update, players’ CS ratings will be recalibrated based on their Season 1 performance. If you want to get a new CS rating in Season 2, you will have to win 10 games in Premier mode once the update goes live.

CS2 Premier Season 2 Changes

Valve has announced several exciting changes planned for the CS2 Season 2 update. These include a price reduction for the M4A4 and the FAMAS, along with a change to the Active Duty map pool, with Vertigo being replaced by Train.

In addition to the price reduction, the FAMAS will receive a boost to its accuracy when standing and crouching.

That’s everything you need to know about the end of CS2 Premier Season 1 and the changes that are in store for the players as we head into the second season of the game. Unless there are any unexpected delays, fans should be able to hop back into the Premier mode within the next 24 hours.

Pokemon GO Spotlight Hour Schedule for February 2025

Aritra Patra
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0
Pokemon GO Spotlight Hour Schedule for February 2025

Pokémon GO players, get ready for a month of exciting Spotlight Hours in February! Every Tuesday from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, a different Pokémon will take center stage, appearing much more frequently in the wild. These weekly events offer a great opportunity to expand your collection and earn valuable bonuses.

From the sharp-toothed Carvanha to the heart-shaped Luvdisc, February’s lineup has something for everyone. Let’s dive into what you can expect.

DatePokemonBonus
February 4Carvanha2× Evolution XP
February 11Luvdisc2× Catch Stardust
February 18Inkay2× Catch XP
February 25Snivy2× Catch Candy
February 25Oshawott2× Catch Candy
February 25Tepig2× Catch Candy

Spotlight Hours are a weekly tradition in Pokémon GO, transforming Tuesday evenings into a Pokémon-catching extravaganza. For one hour, a specific Pokémon’s spawn rate skyrockets, making it easier than ever to find and catch. But the increased spawns aren’t the only perk; each Spotlight Hour also features a unique bonus that applies to all Pokémon caught or interacted with during that hour.

To make the most of these events, a little preparation goes a long way. First, ensure you have ample space in your bag for all the Pokémon you’re likely to encounter. While standard Poké Balls will do the trick, having some Great Balls and Ultra Balls on hand is a smart move for those tougher catches.

If you’re planning to take advantage of the February 4th evolution XP bonus, start stockpiling Pokémon you intend to evolve before the event begins. Combining this bonus with a Lucky Egg will maximize your XP gains, making each evolution incredibly rewarding.

For the Luvdisc Spotlight Hour on February 11th, consider activating a Star Piece to supercharge your Stardust earnings. The combination of double Stardust and a Star Piece can significantly boost your resource collection.

And finally, for the Unova starter Pokémon spotlight on February 25th, Pinap Berries are your key to success. Paired with the double catch candy bonus, each Pinap Berry will net you a ton of candy, accelerating your evolution progress.

Note: these Spotlight Hours are strictly time-limited, running precisely from 6 PM to 7 PM in your local time zone.

Demon Warriors Codes for January 2025

Aritra Patra
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0
Demon Warriors Codes for January 2025

Get into the world of Demon Warriors on Roblox, a haven for fans of the Demon Slayer anime. Whether you choose to begin your adventure as Tanjiro or Nezuko, the path ahead is filled with demon slaying and the constant pursuit of greater strength. To give you a head start on this exciting journey, we’ve gathered a list of fresh Demon Warriors codes.

These codes unlock valuable resources like gems, rare Blood, and Mastery, all of which are crucial for boosting your character’s stats and accelerating your Mastery progression.

Demon Warriors Codes for January 2025

  • RARESTATS: Get 2 Gems
  • FINALTEST: Get Mastery Levels
  • BEASTUPD: Get 50 Rare Blood Points
  • HAPPYHALLOWEEN: Get 49 Candies
  • MERRYCHRISTMAS: Get 49 Bells

How to Redeem Demon Warriors Codes?

Redeeming these codes is a straightforward process. Just follow the steps mentioned below:

  • First, launch Demon Warriors within the Roblox platform.
  • On the left side of your screen, you’ll find a “More” icon – click it.
  • This will open an expanded menu. From this menu, select the “Settings” icon.
  • A text box will appear where you can enter a valid code.
  • Once you’ve typed in the code, click the “Verify” button to claim your rewards.

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