The month-long festival of Counter-Strike has come to its final stage, and we have the 8 best teams who have made it out of the toughest groups. In a week, we will have our Major winners and every team in the final 8 is capable of causing an upset on their day.
We have witnessed it all, from crazy comebacks to intense overtime. The ones who managed to survive the tides of previous stages are in the playoffs. This article will discuss everything you need to know about the final few days of the Perfect World Shanghai CS2 Major.
The challenger stage has presented us with some intense match-ups and judging by how each team has performed, most of the matches can go either way. With no clear favorites, the matches will be a treat for the Counter-Strike community.
Note: The timings mentioned in the picture are in IST.
Where to Watch?
The organizers have outsourced the streaming rights to PGL. Anyone outside of China should be able to catch the matches live on the aforementioned timings on the official Twitch and YouTube channels of PGL.
Besides PGL, several well-known Streamers have secured the rights to stream the matches, refer to the individual match pages on HLTV if you are interested.
Marvel Rivals has surprised the fans, putting a gamer in the shoes of popular Marvel heroes in heart-stopping battles. With its fast-paced play action that follows in Overwatch fashion, the game has swept away across the platform of all consoles within a short period of its release.
But can the game allow cross-platform play between its players? Can people from different systems team up and compete with friends while on other systems? Let’s find out.
Does Marvel Rivals Support Crossplay?
Cross-platform play between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC is supported in Marvel Rivals. However, there’s a slight catch here: the feature is available only for casual play. This way, you can team up with your friends no matter what their chosen platform is. Simply add their in-game nickname to your friend list, and then you can join the action together.
But things change once the competitive level is applied. Ranked matches are then only platform-specific. It means that players of PlayStation and Xbox will play each other while those using the PC will only play others on the same machine.
Unfortunately, cross-progression is not available for Marvel Rivals at this time. This means you’ll be tied to the specific platform you’re playing on, and your progress, including in-game items and character unlocks, will be lost if you switch between platforms.
Astralis has confirmed the return of their star AWPer Nicolai ‘dev1ce‘ Reedtz right after their exit from the Perfect World Shanghai Major, resuming his place as br0 takes his exit from the organization.
As dev1ce stepped down from his role as the IGL, the roster was delivering promising results under the leadership of cadiaN. As we approached the end of the year, dev1ce stepped down from the roster citing stress induced health issues.
Dev1ce is back and ready for 2025 🤩
We're thrilled to announce that @dev1ce is officially returning to the team.
A huge thank you to @br0CSGO, who stepped in during a challenging period.
Together with Br0, we have agreed on a mutual termination of his contract with Astralis.…
The indefinite hiatus from competitive Counter-Strike came to an end as dev1ce resumed his role as the primary AWPer of Astralis under the leadership of cadiaN right ahead of the new season.
Astralis failed to qualify for the Major as their run came to an end in the RMR. dev1ce was arguably the most instrumental piece of their system and his absence saw their preparation go out the window leading upto the RMR.
The addition of dev1ce would like see Astralis bounce back and a stark improvement in performance cannot be ruled out given the immense talent and experience in the roster.
With less than a month remaining until the release of the Valorant Episode 10 Act 1 update, the devs have just released a new teaser for the game’s next Agent.
While the teaser doesn’t disclose much about the new Valorant Agent, there’s still plenty to speculate about based on the hints provided in the short clip. Riot Games is known to drop subtle clues in their teasers, and fans have already started dissecting the Agent 27 teaser, looking for connections to lore, abilities, or his origins.
The 30-second video posted from the official Valorant X (formerly Twitter) handle showcases the new Agent finishing his morning coffee before jumping off an airplane.
The teaser doesn’t reveal the face of the new Valorant Agent, but at first glance, the character appears to be male.
The video has been captioned ‘¿quiubo, VALORANT?’ which has led many players to believe that the new Agent might have a connection to Latin America.
According to prominent Valorant leaker ‘ValorLeaks’, the new Agent is set to be an Initiator from Colombia.
The last Initiator Valorant received was Gekko, who was added to the game nearly 22 months ago alongside patch 6.04. Since then, Riot has added two Sentinels, a Duelist, and a Controller to the title, which is why the next Agent being an Initiator would make the most sense.
However, take this with a grain of salt since Riot has yet to confirm any of this.
In a recent announcement, Riot Games revealed the amount of revenue that they’ve shared with Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) teams throughout the year, and the figures are nothing short of remarkable.
The company confirmed providing a staggering $78.4 million USD to teams competing in the VCT in 2024, with $44.3 Million coming directly from in-game VCT content.
Alongside the Champions 2024 bundle, fans were able to support their favorite VCT teams by purchasing team-specific capsules. These bundles included a Classic weapon skin, a Gun Buddy, and a Player Card, all themed to represent the respective team.
For the uninitiated, Riot Games shares a portion of the VCT bundle sales directly with the partnered teams.
As previously confirmed by Riot, the revenue from the Champions 2024 bundle will be divided into 60 equal parts, with the 16 qualified teams receiving two parts each, while the remaining teams will receive one part each.
In addition to revenue from in-game content, Riot Games allocated significant funds to the teams through team stipends and tournament prize pools.
However, unlike last year, Riot Games has not disclosed the amount of revenue generated from this year’s Champions bundle sales.
FaZe Clan has taken down Furia in what could be labeled as the most dramatic match of the Perfect World Shanghai Major. FaZe’s win puts them through to the next stage of the Major while the doors close on Furia.
VETO
FaZe removed Vertigo
FURIA removed Ancient
FaZe picked Inferno
FURIA picked Dust2
FURIA removed Nuke
FaZe removed Anubis
Mirage was left over
#ShanghaiMajor2024 Elimination Stage 2-2 Bracket: FaZe defeat FURIA 2-1, securing their place at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. GGs to the Brazilians as well—you truly earned the love of the crowd!
It was a turbulent start for both sides, but eventually, Furia dominated FaZe for the entirety of the first half. Having called a brilliant T side, the FaZe Clan failed to find any footing as a feisty Furia completely nullified their game plan. Closing the half with a dominant scoreline, Furia found themselves 9:3 up. FaZe managed to pull in 3 rounds off the back of a force buy conversion but that did not last for long as Furia quickly settled the game within the 19th round. Coming in with supreme calling, falleN was a dominant force, with 17 kills and a 1.58 rating.
Map 2: Dust 2; Picked: Furia; Winner: FaZe
FaZe was able to brush off their poor start to the series with a respectable first half of Dust 2. Despite Furia leading by the end of the half, FaZe came up swinging, getting 5 rounds in a row, FaZe was only two rounds behind as we walked in the second half. FaZe turned up the heat in the second half. Driven by their skipper in Karrigan, FaZe was able to bring in round after round as Furia only managed two before FaZe pushed the game over the line.
FaZe got off to the hottest start of their entire Major campaign, as Furia was picked apart and managed only two rounds in the entirety of the first half. With little to no foundation to mount a comeback from, FaZe did not let them have any room. Karrigan managed to outsmart FalleN on every single occasion, as a methodically called offense combined with ropz getting opening kills for fun became too much for Furia to handle. The second half began with FaZe securing the pistol and the following round to reach map point but Furia managed to get closer starting the next round. Furia almost made it to overtime with FaZe throwing a few rounds but eventually closed the game before we could get to OT.
falleN’s Brazilian dream ends with this loss while Karrigan gets to build his legacy further as now they will be at the Arena for the playoffs.
Riot Games has unveiled significant adjustments in VALORANT Patch 9.11, addressing long-standing community concerns about the agent Neon. These Neon gameplay changes aim to restore balance in the competitive environment while refining the tactical depth of the game.
A Closer Look at the Neon Nerf
The primary focus of the VALORANT updates in Patch 9.11 is Neon, whose swift abilities and pinpoint accuracy have frustrated many players. The changes include:
Reduced Sliding Availability: Neon’s iconic slide ability has been curtailed. Players can now purchase only one slide per round instead of two. This limits her mobility and reduces her capacity to evade engagements frequently.
Shooting Accuracy Adjustment: Previously, Neon maintained full shooting accuracy while sliding, making her a formidable threat in motion. This has been rebalanced; sliding accuracy now matches that of a crouching agent moving while shooting, curbing her offensive dominance.
Ultimate Ability Changes: Neon’s Overdrive now requires 8 Ultimate points instead of the previous requirement. Additionally, her High Gear ability will take longer to fully charge, limiting her high-speed maneuvers in critical moments.
These nerfs are reminiscent of the balancing measures applied to other agents like Viper and Chamber, reinforcing Riot’s commitment to ensuring no agent overshadows the tactical diversity of the game.
Additional Changes in VALORANT Patch 9.11
Apart from the Neon nerf, Riot Games has refined the in-game ping system. Players can no longer see map pings during gameplay unless they originate from teammates. Furthermore, pings are now blocked by smokes, enhancing the realism and tactical depth of the post-plant scenarios.
This modification prevents players from using map pings to shoot through smoke, encouraging more proactive gameplay around smokes and promoting direct engagements.
Implications for VALORANT’s Competitive Landscape
With these updates, Riot aims to ensure VALORANT competitive balance. Neon’s adjustments will encourage players to explore alternative strategies and agents, potentially diversifying team compositions. As the meta evolves, the emphasis will likely shift toward a broader pool of viable agents, fostering fairer gameplay at all levels.
The changes introduced inVALORANT Patch 9.11reflect Riot’s dedication to a balanced and engaging competitive experience. The Neon gameplay changes are a step forward in addressing community feedback and refining the game’s dynamics. As these updates unfold, players can expect a more tactical and diverse environment that rewards strategy and adaptability.
Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated Path of Exile sequel by Grinding Gear Games, has set remarkable benchmarks just days after its early access launch. Despite facing initial technical challenges, the ARPG has quickly ascended to the top tier of Steam’s most-played games list, cementing its place as a gaming phenomenon.
Path of Exile 2’s Record-Breaking Launch on Steam
On December 7, 2024, Path of Exile 2 achieved an astounding peak of 532,058 concurrent players, according to SteamDB. This milestone not only dwarfs the original game’s record of 229,337 players but also propels the sequel into the ranks of Steam’s top 20 most-played games of all time. Currently holding the 15th spot, it sits above popular titles like Fallout 4 and Valheim, showcasing its wide appeal and potential for further growth.
Overcoming a Challenging Launch
The early access debut wasn’t without hiccups. Grinding Gear Games faced server issues and other technical disruptions that briefly marred the launch. However, swift developer action mitigated these problems, allowing players to experience the ambitious improvements introduced in the sequel. These refinements include a revamped combat system, enhanced graphics, and a deeper narrative, setting a new standard for ARPG experiences.
Streaming and Viewer Milestones
In addition to its success on Steam, Path of Exile 2 shattered streaming records by amassing over a million viewers on Twitch within its first 48 hours. This surge in viewership highlights the game’s popularity among both players and the wider gaming community. Its ability to captivate such a large audience speaks to its gameplay depth and the strong following cultivated by its predecessor.
What Lies Ahead for Path of Exile 2?
While the game currently ranks just outside Steam’s top 10, its ongoing early access phase hints at even greater accomplishments to come. With the full release expected to address lingering issues and introduce more content, Path of Exile 2 could potentially surpass heavyweights like Apex Legends and Baldur’s Gate 3 in the near future.
Adin Ross, a controversial and highly influential figure in the world of streaming platforms, has officially announced his indefinite departure from Kick streaming. This move marks a significant shift for Ross, who has been a vocal advocate and co-owner of the Kick platform. His decision to leave Kick aligns with his efforts to regain his position on Twitch, despite facing a permanent ban from the platform.
Ross first transitioned to Kick in 2023 following multiple Twitch bans, ultimately solidifying his presence as a leading voice for the newer platform. However, his sudden inactivity on Kick in late 2024 sparked rumors about his future, fueled further by cryptic social media posts hinting at an uncertain streaming trajectory.
On December 7, Ross confirmed these speculations via Twitter, revealing his decision to step down from leadership roles within Kick and focus on lobbying for his Twitch ban to be lifted. “I will be making a full video on why I am leaving Kick indefinitely,” Ross stated. “I am stepping down officially and I will be going into detail about this, this week. I will tell you all everything. With that being said, I am going to fully focus on being reinstated on Twitch. Thank you.”
I will be making a full video on why I am leaving kick indefinitely, I am stepping down officially and I will be going into detail about this, this week. I will tell you all everything.
With that being said, I am going to fully focus on being reinstated on twitch. Thank you
The possibility of Ross returning to Twitch is not entirely out of reach. Dan Clancy, Twitch’s CEO, has previously indicated that reinstatement is possible under certain conditions, emphasizing the need for compliance with the platform’s guidelines. However, Ross’s public disputes with Kick’s leadership, including alleged threats to expose the company’s CEO, have kept him in the spotlight and added layers of complexity to his professional narrative.
While Ross’s next steps remain uncertain, his departure from Kick underscores the fluidity and volatility of careers in the digital streaming industry. Whether Twitch will grant him a reprieve or if he will pivot to a new platform entirely remains to be seen.
In the meantime, fans and industry observers alike are awaiting Ross’s promised video explanation, which could shed light on his motivations and future plans. This development highlights the ever-evolving dynamics between streaming platforms and their creators, and it positions Ross as a case study in navigating controversies in the digital age.
Jett, the South Korean duelist, is among the most agile and versatile Valorant agents. Her ability to take risks with tools like Tailwind and Cloudburst makes her a formidable opponent. However, mastering effective Jett counter strategies can turn the tide in your matches. Here, we explore the best agents to neutralize Jett’s threat and secure a strategic advantage in Valorant gameplay tips.
Understanding Jett’s Playstyle
Jett’s toolkit is designed for aggression and mobility. Tailwind lets her dash out of dangerous situations, while Cloudburst provides temporary cover. These abilities, combined with her Updraft for gaining vantage points, make her an ideal choice for entry fragging and playing aggressively with an Operator. Anticipating her plays is key to countering her effectively.
When attacking, Jett players often employ a combination of Cloudburst and Tailwind to break through defenses, leaving teams scrambling to cover multiple angles. On defense, her swift movements and aggressive peeks with weapons like the Operator are challenging to counter.
To mitigate her impact, using abilities like recon tools, flashes, or area denial utilities can hinder her momentum and force her into less favorable positions.
The Best Agents to Counter Jett
1. KAY/O: Disabling Jett’s Escape
KAY/O is one of the most reliable counters to Jett. His ZERO/POINT suppression blade can prevent her from using Tailwind or Cloudburst, forcing her into a passive playstyle.
When Jett is attacking, suppressing her before an entry can stall her push and give defenders an advantage. KAY/O’s NULL/CMD ultimate also disables Jett’s Blade Storm, making her far less effective during eco rounds.
2. Cypher: Information is Power
Cypher excels at shutting down aggressive plays with his Trapwire and Spycam. Placing Trapwires at common entry points can halt Jett mid-dash, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
A well-placed Spycam provides vision and marks her movements, while Cyber Cage can be used to block her path or create a safe space for defenders. Cypher’s ability to gather intel and slow down aggressive pushes makes him an ideal pick against Jett.
3. Breach: Crowd Control Mastery
Breach’s abilities are perfect for disrupting Jett’s momentum. His Fault Line stun is especially useful against Operators, preventing Jett from taking shots. Aftershock can flush her out of hiding spots, while Flashpoint blinds are difficult for Jett to avoid, forcing her to retreat or reposition.
By leveraging Breach’s utilities, teams can neutralize Jett’s offensive plays and gain critical map control.
Pro Tip: Exploit Her Vulnerabilities
To counter Jett effectively, timing and prediction are crucial. Use abilities like molotovs or area denial tools to disrupt her Cloudburst dashes. Team coordination is also essential; recon and flashes should precede any pushes into contested zones.
For example, incorporating insights like those in the Top 5 Operator Skins in Valorant can enhance your understanding of optimal Operator plays and strategies.
Countering Jett requires a mix of preparation, patience, and teamwork. Agents like KAY/O, Cypher, and Breach provide tools to limit her mobility and aggression, turning her strengths into weaknesses. By understanding her playstyle and exploiting her vulnerabilities, teams can neutralize her threat and climb the ranks in Valorant.
Mastering these Jett counter strategies ensures you stay ahead in competitive play. Remember, even the most skilled Jett players can be outsmarted with the right strategy and coordination.
