Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Home Blog Page 314

Dota 2 Kez Release Date: When is the New Hero Coming?

The final day of The International 2024 shed light on a new hero that’s coming to Dota 2 in the near future, and fans of the MOBA can’t wait to welcome a new addition to the game’s ever-expanding roster of heroes.

Since it hasn’t been long since Ringmaster was added to Dota 2, the announcement of Kez, the upcoming Dota 2 hero, certainly came as a surprise to many avid fans of the Valve title. However, the release date of the bird warrior doesn’t seem to be that distant.

Who is Kez in Dota 2? 

Kez in Dota 2

For those unfamiliar with the new Dota 2 hero, Kez is a bird-samurai who has played an active role in the ongoing Crownfall event. He was the elected leader of the Kazurai army who tried to take down Queen Imperia, but ultimately succumbed to her forces.

He is expected to make a return in Crownfall Act 4, and will undoubtedly play a vital role in bringing the saga to a conclusion. 

Kez Dota 2 Release Date

As officially confirmed by Valve, Kez will be added to Dota 2 alongside the highly anticipated Crownfall Act 4 update.

The update was originally scheduled to arrive towards the end of September, but the date has since been changed in the game files. 

As per recent leaks from data miners, the new release date for Crownfall Act 4 is set for November 1st, while the end date has been changed to December 30th.

If that’s the case, Dota 2 players can expect to see Kez being added to the hero roster on November 1, 2024.

Fans can check out the official reveal trailer for Kez below:

Ironmouse Becomes the Most-Subscribed Twitch Streamer

0

VTuber Ironmouse has officially dethroned Kai Cenat as the most-subscribed Twitch streamer. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone for the Puerto Rican-American content creator, who has rapidly gained popularity within the streaming community.

Ironmouse, a founding member of the VTuber group VShojo, has captivated audiences with her engaging content, which includes anime, singing, voice acting, art, gaming, and variety streaming. Her unique blend of creativity and authenticity has resonated with viewers, propelling her to a massive following of over 2.1 million on Twitch.

The record-breaking achievement came after a successful subathon, where a portion of the funds raised was donated to the Immune Deficiency Foundation. With an impressive 314,146 active subscribers, Ironmouse has surpassed Cenat’s previous record of 306,261 subscribers, which was set during his own subathon earlier this year.

Ironmouse expressed her gratitude and excitement on Twitter, thanking her fans for their unwavering support. “Words cannot express how I am feeling nor can they express my gratitude,” she tweeted. “Thank you all so much for the incredible support and thank you for changing my life. Thank you for being the best community in the universe.”

The official Twitch Twitter account also congratulated Ironmouse on her accomplishment. In a post-match press conference for the Little Basketball Association, Kai Cenat acknowledged Ironmouse’s achievement but vowed to return to the competition for the top spot. “First things first, I don’t know if y’all know, but my sub-record got broken today,” Cenat said.

PlayStation Network Resurrects After Massive Blackout

0

A recent digital storm left PlayStation gamers stranded, as the network went down, cutting off access to countless titles. This outage, affecting consoles from the PS Vita to the PS5, highlighted the growing dependence on online connectivity even for single-player games.

While Sony acknowledged the widespread issue, users began reporting intermittent service as the evening progressed. The Japanese Ask PlayStation Twitter account apologized and confirmed ongoing investigations to restore full functionality.

The outage sparked debates about the limitations of online-centric gaming. Critics pointed out the irony of needing an internet connection to play single-player games. Questions arose about the feasibility of offline play, especially for titles relying heavily on cloud-based features or digital distribution.

Amidst this chaos, Sony faced additional criticism due to recent changes to the PS5 home screen. The introduction of intrusive advertisements, replacing personalized video game art, drew widespread backlash. While Sony initially attributed it to a “technical error,” the incident fueled concerns about their priorities and user experience.

As the PlayStation Network gradually recovered, the outage served as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of modern gaming.

Dota 2: All Upcoming Tournaments in 2024

On September 15th, the esports world saw Team Liquid lifting the prestigious Aegis of the Champions by sweeping their longstanding rivals Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in The International 2024 Grand Final. A few weeks have passed since then, and the post-TI blues have already started kicking in for the Dota 2 community.

The International 2024 featured some of the most exciting Dota 2 gameplay we’ve seen this year from the best teams throughout the globe, leaving fans eager for more. Fortunately, a lineup of major Dota 2 tournaments is set to unfold in the coming months, offering plenty of opportunities for fans to dive back into the action and catch their favorite Dota 2 pros in action through the rest of the year.

In this article, we take a look at all the upcoming major Dota 2 tournaments of 2024, while also checking out their respective dates, prize pool, and more.

All Upcoming Dota 2 Tournaments of 2024

Dota 2 Tournaments 2024

Below, we have listed all the remaining major Dota 2 events of 2024 that you need to check out.

  • PGL Wallachia Season 2 (Oct 4 – 14): 16 participating teams, $1 million USD prize pool.
  • BetBoom Dacha Belgrade (Oct 19 – 26): 12 participating teams, $1 million USD prize pool.
  • DreamLeague Season 24 (Oct 27 – Nov 10): 16 participating teams, $1 million USD prize pool.
  • ESL One Bangkok (Dec 9 – 15): 12 participating teams, $1 million USD prize pool.

With the exception of DreamLeague Season 24, all the aforementioned events in the list are set to be LAN tournaments.

Shaquille O’Neal Joins Fortnite’s Icon Series | Fortnite Shaq Skin Release

Fortnite has announced that Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary NBA star, will be the latest addition to its prestigious Icon Series. This collaboration, set to launch on October 4th, promises to bring the larger-than-life persona of Shaq into the virtual battlegrounds of Fortnite, offering players a unique opportunity to embody one of basketball’s most iconic figures.

Shaquille O’Neal, known for his dominant presence on the court and his charismatic personality off it, has transcended the world of sports to become a global icon. His inclusion in Fortnite’s Icon Series is a testament to his widespread appeal and the game’s commitment to celebrating influential figures from various fields. The Shaq skin will feature the basketballer in all his glory, complete with his signature style and larger-than-life attitude.

The announcement of the Shaq skin comes hot on the heels of the recent release of the Rebius Icon Skin, indicating that Epic Games is ramping up its efforts to bring more real-life personalities into the game. The Icon Series has previously featured a diverse array of celebrities, including musicians, athletes, and content creators, each bringing their unique flair to the Fortnite universe. Shaq’s addition is expected to be a major hit among fans, given his popularity and the novelty of seeing a basketball legend in a gaming context.

The collaboration was teased with a trailer that showcased Shaq’s virtual avatar in action, dunking on opponents and dominating the battlefield with his towering presence. This sneak peek has already generated significant buzz within the Fortnite community, with players eagerly anticipating the chance to add the Shaq skin to their collections. The skin will be available in the Fortnite item shop, joining the ranks of other high-profile Icon Series skins.

Shaq’s foray into Fortnite is not just about adding another celebrity skin to the game; it represents a broader trend of cross-industry collaborations that have become a hallmark of Fortnite’s success. By integrating well-known figures from sports, music, and entertainment, Fortnite has managed to stay relevant and exciting, continually drawing in new players and keeping its existing fanbase engaged. The inclusion of Shaq is a strategic move that underscores the game’s ability to blend pop culture with interactive entertainment seamlessly.

In addition to the Shaq skin, the collaboration will include a range of themed items and emotes, allowing players to fully embrace the Shaq experience. From basketball-themed accessories to unique victory dances, the Shaq bundle promises to deliver a comprehensive and immersive experience for fans. This level of detail and customization is what sets Fortnite apart, offering players not just a game, but a platform for creative expression and cultural convergence.

As the release date approaches, the excitement continues to build, with fans speculating about the potential impact of the Shaq skin on the game’s meta and community dynamics. Will Shaq’s virtual presence inspire a new wave of basketball-themed gameplay? Will players adopt his larger-than-life persona in their strategies and interactions? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Shaquille O’Neal’s entry into Fortnite is set to be a game-changer.

The addition of Shaquille O’Neal to Fortnite’s Icon Series is a landmark moment for both the game and the broader gaming community. It highlights the game’s ongoing evolution and its ability to bring together diverse elements of popular culture in a dynamic and engaging way. As players gear up to welcome Shaq to the Fortnite universe, the anticipation and excitement are palpable, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

Fortnite x Kendrick Lamar: Is “Not Like Us” Collaboration on the Horizon?

0

Recent speculations state that Fortnite is considering including Kendrick Lamar’s top hit “Not Like Us” in the game. With all of the ways to include a track within the game, Fortnite has been unique about this by having Festival Modes right up to Icon Series Emotes. Fortnite has been notoriously using Epic Game’s prowess to include multiple tracks within the game, and Kendrick Lamar’s hit is expected to be the next. 

Fortnite is most likely to include “Not Like Us” 

As per leaker ShiinaBR, Fortnite may be including Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us song. It was “Sacrificial Lamb,” which despite not being released during the summer season, undoubtedly dominated the major summer hits and also made its place in the biggest rap songs list for quite a while. This song was at the heart of a months-long rap feud between Lamar and Drake, the hottest stories to grip the music business in many months.

Very much possible that it can be added in Fortnite in some form or another down the line. The leak didn’t clarify if the item would be an emote, a track for the festival, or something else entirely.

Though the leak and the Not Like Us song in this survey were believed to be true, it is hard to picture this song being included in the game in any capacity. It’s not as if any of the Fortnite adults and older jeans violent games that have any adult Sony music contained within the game do not however yes and no. They have gamed versions of Vampire, Popular, The Way Life Goes, and so on.

The challenge, given the subject matter of Not Like Us, is how one would conceive of an addition. Sure, there are some words of certain lyrical unattractiveness that can be deemed as censor materials, but even such lyrics that do not contain any adult topics might still require some alterations. It also includes the claims of such a grave nature which isn’t naturally suited for a game with a younger audience.

fortnite x kendrick lamar

This means it would also prevent Epic Games from ever collaborating with artists like these who would not be worth the trouble the organization would go through. The sheer inertial friction against the inclusion of the track is huge but Epic has never failed to move the world when it comes to quality collaborations. 

So fingers crossed to experience this truly epic collaboration within the game when it launches. For the latest updates on Fortnite, click here.

Overwatch FACEIT League S3: Start Date, Prize Pool, and How to Join

The Overwatch FACEIT League is in full swing with a new season coming with the tournament. For that matter Overwatch’s FACEIT League S3 is all set to start soon as well, while the official tournament series is also fully open. 

The FACEIT League S3 is a new tournament that is set to run throughout the autumn season. This is alongside the Overwatch esports scene set to conclude for this year – which we believe is the perfect boost for rising players to demonstrate their abilities. 

But what is the Overwatch League and when will it start?

Faceit’s League Season 3

The Overwatch FACEIT League S3 will be starting next week, right from October 7th. This is a tournament that is set to pick up diamonds from the grassroots levels by the organizer. Moreover, the tournament also has an impressive incentive of a prize pool of $500,000 with more than 300 teams signed up to take part this year. 

This was set up and meant to be a breaker that would let teams warm up into a more official competitive format where they could play professional games consistently and gain experience. 

These events will be run across EMEA, North America, Oceania & South America. The FACEIT League Season 3 is best suited for players even without a formal team, for whom they have a look for a team section.

For more such guides from the FACEIT and CS2 scene, stay tuned to Talkesport.

Brawl Stars World Finals 2024: Massive $1 Million Prize Pool Achieved!

0

If there were an award for the most unique way for a game developer to determine the prize pool for their first party tournament, Supercell would be grabbing it away quite easily this year. A derivative idea of something Dota 2 used to do with their battle pass prize pool but Supercell went ahead and did one over them – by crowdfunding the entire prize pool through an in-game skin bundle. 

Astonishingly enough, the prize pool reached a whopping total of $1 Million dollars!

What is the Fang skin bundle & what is the Brawl Stars World Finals 2024’s Prize Pool?

The Fang Skin bundle was first released three days ago as a Brawl Stars World Finals 2024 special bundle that could be unlocked on purchase with the special skin “The Fans” and special profile icons and emojis. The bundle was priced at $10 with prices varying from region to region. 

Supercell went on to make a statement that the prize pool would come from the proceedings of the Fang Skin bundle but with a term. The term was that the prize pool had a hard set cap of $1 Million. Ever since the cap was hit, the bundle is still present on the store meaning that the prize pool will not increase anymore but would most probably be owned by the organization to fund their operations. 

The World Finals of Brawl Stars have had various ways to come up with the prize pool every consecutive year. In fact, Supercell went on to donate $500,000 to the base prize pool in 2022, which then was increased to $1 Million through crowdsourced revenue through in-game items. 

What else should you know about the Brawl Stars World Finals 2024?

Brawl Stars World Finals 2024

Well, starting off there will be 12 teams competing in the Brawl Stars World Finals 2024, all set to kick off from Nov 1 to 3 at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Center in Finland. 

The prize pool breakup is set to be as follows: 

  • First place: $400,000
  • Second place: $200,000
  • Third and fourth place: $80,000 each
  • Fifth to eighth place: $40,000 each
  • Ninth to 12th place: $20,000 each

The tournament is set to be at the Super Fest 2024, alongside the Clash of Clans World Championship Finals & the Clash Royale League World Finals, making it one of the first times ever for all three tournaments to be held simultaneously. 

Did you know that the follow button on our Instagram was also pressed 82k times at the time of writing this article? Please contribute by clicking here and giving us a follow!

New Deadlock Update Changes Zipline Speeds, Reduces Respawn Timers: Patch Notes Revealed

0

Valve shipped a new update to Deadlock on September 30th, and the patch introduces a couple of crucial changes to the hero shooter.

While today’s Deadlock update isn’t nearly as big as the last one we received a couple of days back, it does include some important changes that players need to be aware of heading into their next games. For the uninitiated, Deadlock’s September 30th update added a new hero, Mirage, alongside a plethora of new content to the title.

Without further ado, let us take a look at the detailed patch notes of the September 29th Deadlock update.

Deadlock September 30 Update: Patch Notes

Deadlock Valve

The highlight of the new Deadlock patch is the changes to the zipline speeds. To be specific,  players will now enjoy 20% faster speeds when riding the outer ziplines relative to the inner lanes.

Alongside this change, the initial respawn timers for all heroes have been reduced by 4 seconds, which means that you won’t miss much of the action if you face an early death.

The new Deadlock update also fixes a few important bugs that have been disrupting gameplay for the past few days.

Below, we’ve included the detailed patch notes for the September 30th Deadlock update, as officially revealed by the devs:

  • Outer ziplines hero speed increased by 20% relative to inner lanes (same as troopers on outer lanes zipline being faster)
  • Initial respawn reduced from 12s to 8s
  • Urn now drops when teleporting with Mirage’s Traveler
  • Fixed Wraith Cards, Shiv Rage, and lifesteal from increasing by shooting the shop

How to Redeem Pepsi Rewards in EA FC 25?

0

Some EA FC 25 players will have another opportunity to rebuild their Ultimate Team squads through free rewards due to the reviving Pepsi promotion.

In this article, we will find out how to get your exclusive in-game items. Let’s dig into it without wasting further time.

How to Redeem Pepsi Rewards in EA FC 25?

pepsi ea fc 25

To win, you only have to purchase a bottle of Pepsi with the EA FC 25 graphic.

After that follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Peel the label and scan the bar code.
  • Go over to the official Pepsi webpage.
  • You will then be prompted on the screen to connect your EA FC 25 account and redeem a special code printed on the bottle.
  • Your rewards will be automatically applied to Ultimate Team the next time you log into your account.

Rewards from Pepsi include exclusive Pepsi-themed vanity items, 400 Season Points, and a blue/black striped kit. A winner will be awarded a spectacular PlayStation 5 console and a copy of EA FC 25.

Look out for bottles of Pepsi carrying artwork for EA FC 25, kicking off on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. You can redeem as many codes as you want probably encouraging some hoarding to stretch those rewards.