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Dota 2 BLAST Slam I 2024: Teams, Format & Where To Watch

With only a few days remaining before the highly anticipated BLAST Slam I 2024 Dota 2 tournament kicks off, the tournament organizers have disclosed the list of teams invited to the prestigious event.

For the uninitiated, the inaugural BLAST Slam event will feature ten elite Dota 2 teams who will compete for the lion’s share of the $1,000,000 USD prize pool. BLAST Slam I 2024 is set to commence on November 26 and will feature six days of intense Dota 2 action before coming to a conclusion on December 1st.

In this article, we take a look at everything you need to know about the BLAST Slam I 2024 Dota 2 event, including its invited teams, format, and where you can watch the event.

Dota 2 BLAST Slam I 2024: All Teams

In a recent announcement, BLAST has confirmed the list of invited teams who will participate in BLAST Slam I 2024. The teams have been invited based on their recent performance and community interest.

Without further ado, let’s check out the ten teams who will be attending BLAST Slam I 2024:

  • Team Liquid
  • Team Falcons
  • Team Spirit
  • OG Esports
  • BetBoom Team
  • Gaimin Gladiators
  • HEROIC
  • Xtreme Gaming 
  • Tundra Esports
  • PARIVISION

Dota 2 BLAST Slam I 2024: Format

The BLAST Slam I 2024 will feature a unique “fast-paced” format where the ten participating teams will be split into two groups of five teams each. The two groups will have to battle it out in a best-of-one Round Robin format, with the teams proceeding to the gauntlet stage according to their placement. This initial group stage will conclude by the end of the first day of the tournament.

The gauntlet stage will feature a cross group single-elimination bracket which will be played at the BLAST studio in Copenhagen, Denmark. Each game in this stage will be a best-of-three, with the exception of the best-of-five grand final.

Dota 2 BLAST Slam I 2024: Where To Watch

Fans will be able to catch all the action that unfolds during the BLAST Slam I 2024 by tuning into the official livestreams of the event on BLAST’s Dota channels, available on Twitch and YouTube, as well as the official BLAST.tv website.

Ghatak Joins Revenant XSpark as the Director of Esports and Community

Abhijeet “Ghatak” Andhare has joined Revenant XSpark as its new Director of Esports and Community. This move comes after a merger between Revenant Esports and Team XSpark to form the merged entity of Revenant XSpark in an effort to strengthen its foothold in both Indian and international esports industry. Ghatak will bring a wealth of industry expertise along with community-building experience in order to support the ambitions of the organization in global expansion and diversification with newer gaming titles.​

Ghatak to Lead Revenant XSpark Alongside Scout and Rohit Jagasia

Ghatak’s background aligns with his new responsibilities at Revenant XSpark. Known for his deep involvement in Indian esports, Ghatak has long served as an advocate and mentor for aspiring gamers, particularly in the battle royale genre. Previously, he played a vital role at Trinity Gaming, where he focused on nurturing underdog talents in India’s BGMI esports scene. 

Ghatak’s position at Revenant XSpark aligns with the organization’s vision of driving community initiatives, fostering local talent, and interacting more with the fans on a wider scale. His experience in mentoring and advocating for the up-and-coming players will be an asset worth having as Revenant XSpark looks at improving its global presence and broadening its reach across multiple game title

In this venture, Ghatak will join by well-known gaming figure and former owner of Team XSpark, Scout, who also serves as the brand ambassador for Revenant XSpark. Together, they will play pivotal roles in steering the organization’s vision and driving its growth across multiple esports titles, both in India and internationally​. Rohit Jagasia, the chief executive of Revenant Esports, will lead the organization in its moves to establish a greater presence in the fast-growing esports sector in India.

Led by Ghatak, Scout, and Jagasia at the helm, Revenant XSpark is set to leave a mark in the esports community by bringing in all that knowledge to create one of the most well-rounded esports organizations that bring in talent and fuel growth across the globe.

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LoL Patch 14.23 Release Date & Time

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Only a few days have passed since the League of Legends 14.22 patch hit the live servers, and fans are already excited to know more about the next LoL update and everything that it will bring to the game.

For the uninitiated, the LoL patch 14.22 introduced the new champion Ambessa to the MOBA alongside a plethora of other changes that we’ve already covered in the past.

While the patch notes for the upcoming LoL patch 14.23 are yet to be revealed, we do have an idea about the release date and time of the update. 

If you’re curious to learn about the LoL 14.23 update and when it will be shipped to the game, we have you covered.

LoL 14.23 Release Date & Time For All Regions

LoL Patch 14.23

The LoL patch 14.23 will be introduced to the game two weeks after Wednesday, November 20th, two weeks after the arrival of patch 14.22.

Here are the estimated release times for the LoL 14.23 patch for your region:

  • 3 pm CT (NA)
  • 5 am GMT (EU West)
  • 3 am CET (EU North East)
  • 8 am KR (Korea)

Valorant Devs Confirm Neon Nerfs in Upcoming Patch 9.11

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Over the past few months, Neon nerfs in Valorant have been a hot topic of discussion in the game’s community. The Filipino Duelist has cemented her position as one of the top picks in the current meta of the shooter with her high-octane, aggressive kit that enables her to take down enemies while sliding at incredible speeds.

The increased prominence of Neon in pubs as well as the pro scene has led many players to complain about the current state of the Agent. A good portion of the community has also expressed concerns about her kit being a sharp contrast to Valorant’s core gameplay principles, disrupting the tactical balance of the game.

Fortunately, the developers behind Valorant seem to have taken note of this issue, as a recent X (formerly Twitter) post from Valorant game designer ‘penguin’ confirms that a Neon nerf is already in the works.

“For what it’s worth – we agree that Neon is too strong as well,” the dev said in a statement. “We’re working on some adjustments to balance out the parts that feel overpowered while maintaining her grounded movement combat fantasy.”

When are the Neon Nerfs Coming To Valorant?

At the end of the statement, ‘penguin’ claims that the Neon nerfs will be shipped to Valorant with the upcoming patch 9.11 update.

For the unaware, Valorant patch 9.11 is expected to hit the live servers around December 10, 2024.

Note that the exact patch notes of the Valorant 9.11 update have not been revealed at the time of writing, making it impossible to predict the full extent of the Neon nerfs.

Kai Cenat Is the First Streamer to Get 5 Nomination for Streamer Awards

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With a record-breaking five nominations, including one for Streamer of the Year, Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has created history at the Streamer Awards.

Kai Cenat has emerged as the most popular streamer on Twitch ending the domination of the Ninja, Tfue, and everyone that came before. Cenat has built his large fanbase by playing video games and marathon streams.

He has been on a roll recently, pulling in tons of views, doing collaborations with big names and just churning out top-tier content day in and day out.

“No! What, five?!” Cenat said feeling overjoyed. “Five categories! Five categories!” he exclaimed repeatedly.

Fans were left overjoyed with his nomination and his achievement was celebrated across all the social media. It can be argued that he will take home all the 5 accolades at the Streamer Awards and if that happens it will produce a crazier reaction from the fans.

Fortnite Chapter 6 Leaks: New Map, Mechanics, & More

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The gaming community is talking about it, as rumors about the new chapter of Fortnite are spreading excitement. Leaked out by renowned leakers, some exciting news from Chapter 6 hints that a highly thrilling new era is waiting for the battle royale many cherished.

There is a beautiful Japanese-inspired world for all players: serene shrines, winding waterways, and sweeping open plains. Players will be able to traverse this dynamic landscape with a new swinging mechanic that lets them soar through the air and outmaneuver opponents. They will also be able to go prone, unleashing a whole new level of tactical gameplay and limitless stealth and surprise attacks.

The progress system will be overhauled in the game. Gone will be the Battle Stars of yore, but instead, the system will be streamlined and the medallions reintroduced from Chapter 5 with exciting new reconfigurations.

One of the most promising leaks is that Fortnite OG will return as well as this nostalgic mode, which will cycle through all seasons from Chapter 1, giving a chance to relive classic experiences in both regular and Zero Build modes.

Whimsy to the game will come by way of cat companions known as Sprites. These adorable followers will follow their owners on adventures, providing a sense of companionship and aesthetic appeal to the player. Then there is also a sort of unknown “void” which will add something new to gameplay.

New surprises will come next this winter season, including such weapons as the powerful Quad Launcher. Supposedly, some exciting things will be inserted into the loot pool, turning every match into chaos and excitement.

Ubisoft Sued for Shutting Down Crew Servers

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Crew was a popular racing game released in 2014 focused on the online racing genre that saw early success only for Forza to get the better of it further down the line which prompted Ubisoft to shut down the game servers and now they are on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

While Crew grew popular in 2014, it could be deemed that the game was ahead of its time. While online racing may be popular now, pioneered by Forza, abandoning an offline and single-player mode in 2014 was too bold of a move.

Following the player count dropping to alarming numbers, Ubisoft was forced to shut the game down in March 2024. Two players did not take this lightly and they were forced to give up access to something they paid for which pushed them to file a lawsuit.

the crew ubisoft

“To further rub salt on the wound, Defendants decided that they would not provide consumers with the basic courtesy of leaving intact the single-player version of the game so that the thousands of consumers who paid hard-earned money for The Crew could at least enjoy some portion of this beloved game offline,” read the filing.

While laws on digital property give certain rights to the developers, this incident in particular may see the verdict go either way. Only time can tell what becomes of this lawsuit, till then Crew servers remain shut.

Free Fire Announces Collaboration with Football Anime Blue Lock

Garena’s battle royale flagship title, Free Fire, has just unveiled a massive deal with the Japanese football anime sensation known as Blue Lock. The agreement brings together two giants in the entertainment world, offering a live event full of exclusive in-game content from November 20 to December 8.

Overview of the Free Fire x Blue Lock Collaboration

Exclusive In-Game Items and Emotes

This collab brings a variety of in-game, excellent Blue Lock-themed assets, merging universes between Roblox and Blue Lock for a more immersive experience. Unlock and wear the following items, including but not limited to:

  • Iconic Jerseys: Team Z and Team V costumes.
  • Cosmetic Enhancements: Avatars, banners, and football uniform-inspired outfits.
  • Emotes: Famous movements such as Isagi’s Spatial Awareness and Nagi’s Trapping.
  • Weapon and Vehicle Skins: A new look onto the field of battle.

These items are visual treats that heighten gaming experiences, merging the excitement of Free Fire battle royale with the high-stakes football drama of Blue Lock.

What Makes Blue Lock a Perfect Partner?

Created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, Blue Lock has been enchanting audiences worldwide with its strange plot: an extreme football training program. Emphasizing the selection of the best striker for Japan’s national team, anime filled with fierce rivalries, elimination-based challenges, and unforgettable characters perfectly fits the free-flowing adrenaline that Free Fire offers due to its high-staked theme and competitive nature.

More Significant Implications for Free Fire

Garena’s partnership with Blue Lock reflects the developer’s continuous interest in engaging its global fanbase. The move inherits the base of the anime show for broader exposure of Free Fire, possibly bringing more players keen on anime into its fold. This also tells much about Free Fire’s versatility in integrating various cultural phenomena into its game universe.

Event Duration and Participation Details

This event will only run for a short time, so fans must make the most of it. Due to the exclusive content, participants can show their enthusiasm with special in-game gear that may not return after December 8.

This new collaboration between Free Fire and Blue Lock symbolizes the trend of fusions between gaming and popular culture. The collaboration brings novelty not only in content but also in community interaction, bringing two fierce fanbases together. As Free Fire is committed to innovation, such collaborations further establish its position as a leader within the battle royale genre.

Apex Legends’ Potential Monthly Subscription Service: What to Expect

According to reports, Apex Legends is in preparation to launch a monthly subscription service, and here is what the players need to know:

Electronic Arts may soon break its monetization model on the popular battle royale game Apex Legends with a possible monthly subscription service. The news comes via an in-game survey shared with players, suggesting that EA is interested in one. Should it happen, this would follow in the footsteps of other popular subscriptions in games like Fortnite Crew.

Why a Subscription Model Now?

In EA’s fiscal Q2 earnings report, Apex Legends failed to reach expected growth in monetization. CEO Andrew Wilson hinted at potential adjustments to improve this shortfall. A subscription service would be a good strategy for improving the revenue and players’ level of engagement by offering power perks to its dedicated fans.

How Does the Subscription Work?

If insider gaming reports are correct, this new subscription will grant the same perks as Fortnite Crew: exclusive cosmetic items, in-game currency, and access to continuous Battle Pass content. Of course, Apex Legends already has standalone Battle Passes and cosmetics. However, perhaps a subscription would wrap these into one neat, value-laden package.

Although such a service might remain a little speculative on details, it could be priced to compete with or slightly undercut Fortnite Crew’s $11.99 per month charge. This would fit in well with how one would get premium content and cosmetics much more easily than having to make an individual purchase.

Player Reception and Uncertainties

This service is so new that valuable player feedback is critical. This in-game survey shows how much EA has focused on knowing the player’s preferences before making any announcements. Until that confirmation, however, the subscription model is purely hypothetical. Players should look at current insights skeptically because the implementation may go differently than initially reported.

The Future of Monetization in Apex Legends

This would represent a potential subscription in line with more excellent trends around game monetization. In so doing, EA introduces one steady stream of revenue and packages a set of highly desirable features into a win-win for both the company and the player base. It also indicates how the industry is leaning into user-first approaches for more longevity in player engagement.

Although the exact details of the proposed monthly subscription are yet to be pinned down, its integration into Apex Legends could be a potential game-changer. This would solve those missed monetization targets and create additional value for players. Thus, EA is ready to hold its own against the evolving battle royale markets. The results will depend on how well players will receive this model.

Genshin Impact Ororon: Release Date, Weapon, Element, Rating & Details

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MiHoYo’s open-world action RPG Genshin Impact is about to get one of the biggest content updates with the release of Version 5.2. From a lot that is expected, one of the most talked-about features will be the introduction of a new four-star character named Ororon. Slated to be released in the first phase of the update, Ororon promises to bring a new playstyle and fresh narrative elements to the game.

Schedule of Release and Banner Details

Ororon will be very active in the first phase of the 5.2 update, releasing on November 20, 2024, and running until December 10, 2024. He can be gotten by the players via two running banners: Piercing Shot Crimson Wake and Conjuring Chiaroscuro, headlined respectively by the five-star characters Chasca and Lyney. Those who, for whatever reason, won’t be able to get the character during this limited time will see Ororon join the standard banner pool some time after the 5.3 update.

Gameplay Overview: An Agile Electro Bow Wielder

Ororon is an Electro-element character who wields a bow. He can be used primarily for long-range combat and precise elemental application, with enhancements in both. Ororon’s skill set showcases a highlight of emphasis on aerial combat and team synergy. Key highlights include the following:

  • Elemental Skill: Ororon gains “Nightsoul points” for dealing in Hydro or Electro damage, using his Elemental Skill, and having certain reactions happen. Those points allow him to enter a state of Hypersense, amplifying the Electro damage dealt by allies.
  • Elemental Blast: Deploys a Supersonic Oculus that taunts and applies waves of Electro damage, giving a great result for crowd control.
  • Passive Skill: If Ororon is in the lineup, the gliding speed of all party members will be increased.

Moreover, Ororon’s one-of-a-kind air mechanics allow him to perform mid-air attacks and even enhance his traversal with his rocket-jump skill.

Story and Character Lore

Oronon hails from Natlan and is a part of the highly secretive tribe of the Masters of the Night-Wind. His past is really shrouded with mystery: as a child, he had been abandoned and he experienced an unhappy event-an attempt to repair Ley Lines of Natlan-ended in failure. The process left him shattered but determined, making him all the more interesting as a character.

Brooding in demeanor and dedicated to his tribe, Ororon pushes the meaning of “Bidii” to its limits. His narrative is supposed to expand the lore of Natlan, offering players rich narrative content to explore.

What can really set Orono as a potentially strong support character would be his capability to amplify Electro damage and break formations. Being hydro and pyro-compatible, he can fit into quite a number of teams focused on triggering high-damage elemental reactions like Overloaded and Electro-Charged.

With Orono’s arrival in Genshin Impact, players will have the opportunity to experience an entirely new style of play and an elaborately designed backstory, adding further depth to the lore. His flying capabilities with a utility-based kit will surely please players who enjoy strategic team compositions and dynamic fighting styles. Mark your calendar for November 20, 2024, and get this exciting addition to your roster during the 5.2 update banners.

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