Saturday, March 21, 2026
Home Blog Page 33

Apex Legends Permanently Bans Thousands of XIM Users

Aritra Patra
-
0
Apex Legends Permanently Bans Thousands of XIM Users

Respawn has permanently banned more than 2,000 Apex Legends accounts after rolling out a new detection system targeting XIM input‑spoofing devices on console.

The fresh detection was quietly enabled this week and immediately flagged XIM users, triggering a wave of over 2,000 permanent bans across affected accounts, according to community reports and tracking by third‑party sites. This initiative builds directly on a January crackdown aimed at Titan‑series cheat devices, which had already seen more than 1,000 accounts permanently removed from Apex’s ecosystem. Together, the two waves signal a deliberate shift toward hunting hardware-based exploits rather than just traditional software cheats.

XIM adapters are what the console and peripherals connect to, acting as a translation device between mouse and keyboard input and controller input so that the game “believes” it is still being input into with a controller. In games such as Apex Legends, which do not support mouse and keyboard input on console, this allows a player to have the accuracy of mouse and keyboard while still being able to use the aim assist of a controller, giving a substantial and overt advantage. The terms of service on each platform consider these devices to be unlicensed peripherals, putting the use of XIM solidly into “cheating” territory.

Respawn’s action follows several months of community pressure, particularly in light of the positive reception of Riot’s Valorant console beta, which has been praised for its active detection and banning of XIM users from day one. EA and Respawn have publicly stated their intention to increase enforcement, having already seen more than 6 million total bans in Apex since its launch and now averaging over 100,000 bans per month for various types of cheats. More recent anti-cheating reports have also pointed out new measures targeting Direct Memory Access devices and bot farms, with more than 1,300 DMA accounts banned in a 2025 update, with further tools being introduced to lower “infection rates” in matches.

In ranked and high-level public matches, this XIM-specific round of enforcement is a message that input spoofing is no longer a gray area with low risk but a punishable offense with serious consequences.

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Viewership Soars as Group Stage Averages Double Over Previous Year

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Viewership Soars as Group Stage Averages Double Over Previous Year

If you’re a Counter-Strike fan and you haven’t tuned into PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 over the past few days, then you’ve been missing out. The action-packed tournament, currently underway, has showcased some top-tier competitive CS as the world’s most elite teams battled it out for a coveted spot in the playoffs.

Fueled by its star-studded lineup and the high caliber of CS on display, PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2026 has seen its viewership skyrocket, with fans cheering on their favorite teams and players throughout the course of the Group Stage, which concluded yesterday.

As per data from Esports Charts, the average viewership during the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Group Stage has more than doubled compared to last year’s edition of the tournament, while the number of Peak Viewers has increased by over 65%.

Image Credit: Esports Charts

The highest peak concurrent viewership at PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2026 was recorded during the Falcons vs FURIA match on February 17. While FURIA has maintained strong viewership throughout the Group Stage, this particular matchup drew 522,477 fans watching simultaneously.

In fact, FURIA was the only team to field over 300,000 average concurrent viewers across their matches in the Group Stage.

As the dust settles, teams that have managed to make it out of the Group Stage are now gearing up for the Playoffs. Scheduled to take place between February 20-22, the PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2026 Playoffs are already shaping up to deliver one of the strongest viewership performances of any non-Major CS2 event this year.

Be sure to keep following TalkEsport for the latest updates on PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026.

Riot to Introduce Team-Based Voice Chat in League of Legends

Aritra Patra
-
0
Riot to Introduce Team-Based Voice Chat in League of Legends

Riot Games is gearing up to implement full team-based voice chat in League of Legends. It will be the first time players can communicate directly with all four solo-queue teammates simultaneously, moving beyond just premade party chat.​

Code mentions and UI pieces for “enable team voice chat” have been spotted on the League of Legends Public Beta Environment, which means that this feature is likely being tested for live implementation. Current builds of the PBE show a voice menu where players can turn on team voice chat, select between push-to-talk and open mic, check their microphone, and assign hotkeys, much like in Riot’s tactical shooter, Valorant.

Most importantly, it seems that both joining team voice chat and auto-joining are turned off by default in these tests, which means that Riot is likely planning to make voice chat an opt-in feature on top of the current ping and text communication, rather than a requirement.

League has historically been the odd one out among the other competitive game titles in that it never had a way for the whole team to be heard, even as the frustration with misplays caused by uncommunicative solo queue players has been a growing problem in the community. While fans of voice chat believe that quicker, more natural ways to call out things like jungle paths, objective layouts, and cooldowns could ease many of the most infuriating aspects of solo queue play, it could also help close the communication gap between solo players and full teams.

This change also reignites a long-standing controversy about harassment, particularly against women and marginalized players, who already experience harassment at a disproportionate rate in voice chat-enabled games. Community leaders and content creators are demanding robust protections like strict reporting mechanisms, honor or account-standing requirements to use voice chat, and one-click muting for anyone who wants to keep League a text-only game.

Fortnite X Game of Thrones Crossover Rumored to Arrive Soon

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Fortnite X Game of Thrones Crossover Rumored to Arrive Soon

A Fortnite and Game of Thrones crossover is rumoured to be on the horizon, according to popular Fortnite data miner AdiraFNInfo. Reports suggest that an update is in development to bring HBO’s beloved fantasy series Game of Thrones to Fortnite, which has sent ripples through the community.

What We Know So Far

Fortnite is famous for its high-profile crossovers with major franchises, bringing their content into the game. Game of Thrones, which can arguably be defined as one of the most popular shows in the world, is speculated to be next in line to get the same treatment as The Simpsons, Back to the Future, and South Park.

AdiraFNInfo‘s claims are backed by other popular Fortnite insiders with a solid track record, and are therefore adding fuel to the fire ahead of EPIC officially confirming any of this. The announcement is expected to arrive soon, possibly tied to an upcoming Fortnite update or event.

A Game of Thrones crossover would mark a major step for Fortnite’s long list of crossovers, and given the magnitude of the show, one can argue this should be its most ambitious collaboration to date. Game of Thrones has been one of the most influential television franchises of all time, with a massive global fanbase, and EPIC can use this to introduce its game to its audience at scale.

When Could It Launch?

None of the leakers have pointed to a release window for the Fortnite × Game of Thrones event, and neither have the developers at the time of writing this article. Deducing the situation regularly, we might see the update arrive in the coming weeks as a part of a seasonal push or drop independently as a major update. Only time can tell when or if this update arrives, but this will definitely be one of the biggest collaborations they have pushed.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Will Use Creation Engine 3, Todd Howard Confirms

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
The Elder Scrolls 6 Will Use Creation Engine 3, Todd Howard Confirms

The Elder Scrolls 6, one of the most anticipated video games of all time, will run on Creation Engine 3, an upgraded version of the engine used in Starfield, Bethesda’s Todd Howard has confirmed.

In a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games, Howard discussed Bethesda’s plans involving The Elder Scrolls 6, confirming that the studio intends to return to its “classic-style” RPG roots after experimenting with a different formula in titles like Fallout 76 and Starfield

While talking about the much-anticipated successor to Skyrim, Howard revealed that Bethesda has spent the past several years upgrading its Creation Engine to power upcoming projects, including The Elder Scrolls VI and future games.

“We’ve spent the last several years bringing Creation Engine 2, which powers Starfield, up to Creation Engine 3, which is going to power Elder Scrolls 6 and beyond,” Howard said. “Obviously, we do all of the rendering things. We’re really happy with all of the new stuff that we’re doing, but also world systems, loading, how we bring things into the world, [and] how we get that detail close to the camera immediately.”

Needless to say, this sudden announcement has caught many gamers off guard. It marks a notable shift from Todd Howard’s earlier comments in 2021, when he stated that both Starfield and the next Elder Scrolls title would run on Creation Engine 2.

While the engine upgrade is certainly welcome news for fans of the franchise, Howard reiterated that Elder Scrolls VI is still “a while yet” from release, with no official launch date announced as of yet. However, he also confirmed that the majority of Bethesda is currently working on the game and is about to pass a big internal milestone.

“It’s going well, we’re happy with it, and it’s going to be a while yet. We’re happy where we pushed the technology and how the game is coming together,” he said. “We’re able to play it; we’re about to pass a big milestone internally. The majority of the studio is on the game, and some of our partners.”

Pokémon TCG Pocket Teases Next Set Focus on Gen 9

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Pokémon TCG Pocket Teases Next Set Focus on Gen 9

With tons of speculations running on the internet, Pokémon TCG Pocket has finally hinted through their teaser that the next set will feature Generation 9 Pokémon. In the short teaser dropped by the developers on X, we can see people donning costumes of the Gen 9 starter trio of Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.

Since its release on February 19, the trailer has sparked high expectations from fans right from the get-go, as collectors are all set to bag all three starter Pokémon of the new generation as soon as the new set is introduced in the game. From being one of the highly anticipated drops to being teased, we will finally get to see the latest generation of Pokémon hit the game.

Gen 9 Focus Could Bring New Collectables

Generation 9 Pokémon were introduced as a part of Scarlet and Violet, hailing from the Paldea region. As we have often seen with new set introductions, players can be subjected to new card mechanics, strategies, and new abilities that they will get to explore with the release.

While all of these speculations are being derived from the teaser alone, unless the official announcement drops, we might never know what the new update will bring. Historical set releases have brought new features, systems, and mechanics to the game, and the speculations are theorizing the same.

The excitement is justified, but unless the update gets officially announced by the developers, overspeculating about it would lead to nothing but disappointment. If the teaser is to be believed for what it is, Generation 9 Pokémon’s introduction to the game might be one of the biggest expansions we will witness since the release of the game. We are yet to get an official release date, let alone details of the update, but with time, we shall know what the developers have in store for us.

How Much Does Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 Cost? Price for Every Chapter (2026)

Yash More
-
0
How Much Does Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 Cost? Price for Every Chapter (2026)

Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 is now available, and one of the first questions players are asking is how much it costs. Mob Entertainment has priced this latest installment at $19.99 (£16.75), which is the same price as Chapter 4. That is a welcome surprise for fans who expected another price hike.

Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 Price

Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 costs $19.99 in the US and £16.75 in the UK. The game is sold as DLC on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players need to download the base game first, which is still completely free, before purchasing Chapter 5.

This is notable because the franchise had been increasing its price by roughly $5 with each new chapter since Chapter 2. Chapter 5 breaks that trend by matching Chapter 4’s price instead of going higher.

Price History of Every Poppy Playtime Chapter

Poppy Playtime started as a free-to-play game back in 2021. Since then, each new chapter came with a higher price tag, until Chapter 5 kept things steady. Here is the full pricing breakdown for every chapter in the series:

ChapterPrice (USD)
Chapter 1 (Base Game)Free
Chapter 2$9.99
Chapter 3$14.99
Chapter 4$19.99
Chapter 5$19.99

Chapters 2 through 4 each saw a $5 increase over the previous installment. Chapter 5 is the first entry in the franchise to hold at the same price as the chapter before it.

Why Did the Price Stay the Same?

Historically, each Poppy Playtime chapter raised its price by $5 to $10 compared to the one before it. Many fans expected Chapter 5 to cost somewhere between $25 and $30. However, Mob Entertainment chose to keep the price at $19.99 this time around.

The gameplay trailer for Chapter 5 suggests it is the most complete entry in the franchise so far. Despite that, the developer did not raise the price, which is good news for players on a budget.

What Platforms Is Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 Available On?

Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 launched on PC only, available through Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game is not available on PlayStation 5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch 2 at launch.

Console ports for earlier chapters did arrive eventually, typically a few months after the initial PC release. Mob Entertainment is expected to follow the same pattern for Chapter 5, though no official dates for console versions have been confirmed.

Is Chapter 5 the Last Poppy Playtime Game?

No. Based on the ending of Chapter 5, a sixth chapter appears to be all but confirmed. Mob Entertainment has not officially announced Chapter 6, but the story clearly sets up a continuation. Since the franchise debuted in 2021, new chapters have released roughly once a year.

Is Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 Worth the Price?

At $19.99, Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 sits at the same price point as Chapter 4. The game has received a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam with 79% of user reviews being positive. For fans of the franchise who have been following the story since Chapter 1, this installment continues the saga at a price that has not increased from the previous entry.

Players who want to try the franchise for the first time can still download Chapter 1 for free on Steam before deciding whether to invest in the later chapters.

Fortnite Servers Down Today: V39.50 Update Downtime on February 19, 2026

Yash More
-
0
Fortnite Servers Down Today: V39.50 Update Downtime on February 19, 2026

Fortnite players are currently unable to access the game as Epic Games rolls out the v39.50 update. The scheduled server maintenance began on February 19, 2026, at 4 AM ET (1 AM PT / 9 AM UTC), and matchmaking was disabled shortly before the downtime window started.

There is no confirmed time for when the servers will return. However, based on past mid-season updates, players can expect the downtime to last roughly three to four hours. That puts the estimated return window somewhere around 7 AM to 8 AM ET.

It is worth noting that the actual length of downtime can vary. If Epic Games encounters any unexpected issues during the deployment or if the patch is larger than usual, the maintenance window could extend beyond the typical estimate. Players should keep an eye on the official Fortnite Status account on social media for real-time updates on when servers come back online.

What Is New in the Fortnite V39.50 Update?

The biggest addition in this update is the launch of the Lantern Fest event. This annual in-game celebration is tied to Ramadan and features themed cosmetics, community challenges, and limited-time activities. Epic Games has teased a brand new Ramadan-themed skin for this year’s event, which may be available for free through the Lantern Fest Cup.

Lantern Fest Reload Map

A major highlight of the v39.50 patch is the introduction of a new Lantern Fest-themed map in Reload mode. This new map will support teams of up to eight players, giving squads a fresh battleground to explore during the event.

Alongside the new map, Reload ranks will also be reset with this update. Players will need to complete a match to re-establish their rank based on their previous performance, giving everyone a clean opportunity to climb toward Unreal rank once again.

Players can also expect Lantern Fest Reload quests, which will reward free cosmetic items upon completion.

Solo Leveling Collaboration

The v39.50 update is also expected to bring a collaboration with the popular anime series Solo Leveling. Epic Games confirmed the crossover through a teaser that references the main character Sung Jin-woo’s status as an E-Rank Hunter. Leaked information suggests that cosmetics inspired by Sung Jin-woo, Cha Hae-in, and Igris the Bloodred could appear as part of this collaboration.

Honkai: Star Rail Collab and More

Further details about a Honkai: Star Rail collaboration are expected to surface with this update. On top of that, the Love and Legends event schedule previously confirmed the return of the DeLorean in this patch. Story quests related to The Seven and the Dark Voyager are also anticipated, pushing the Chapter 7 Season 1 narrative forward as the season nears its end.

How Long Will Fortnite Be Down?

Mid-season updates in Fortnite generally result in downtime lasting between two and four hours. Based on this pattern, the v39.50 servers should come back online somewhere around 6 AM to 8 AM ET on February 19.

For context, Epic Games has maintained a consistent schedule for major updates throughout Chapter 7 Season 1. The previous update, v39.40, launched on February 5 and followed a similar downtime window.

The longest Fortnite downtime in history remains The Blackout from 2019, when the game was completely unavailable for two full days. Players do not need to worry about anything close to that happening with this update.

How to Check Fortnite Server Status

There are a few reliable ways to check whether Fortnite servers are back up:

The Epic Games Public Status page provides real-time information about the condition of all Fortnite services. Players can visit this page to see which components are operational and which ones are still under maintenance.

The official Fortnite Status account on X (formerly Twitter) posts updates when matchmaking is disabled and again when the servers return after maintenance.

Third-party tools like Downdetector can also help players see if others are reporting connection issues, which is useful for spotting unplanned outages outside of scheduled maintenance windows.

What Comes After V39.50?

According to the current Fortnite 2026 roadmap, the next update is expected to be v39.51, a mini update tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2026. The much larger v40.00 update, which will mark the launch of Chapter 7 Season 2, is currently expected on March 19, 2026.

The v39.50 patch is likely one of the final major updates for Chapter 7 Season 1, as the start of Season 2 has been delayed from its originally planned date.

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Fortnite Aaliyah Skin: How to Get It for Free During Lantern Fest 2026

Satyam Kumar
-
0
Fortnite Aaliyah Skin: How to Get It for Free During Lantern Fest 2026

Fortnite players can unlock the new Aaliyah skin completely free during the Lantern Fest 2026 event. The skin is available as a reward through the Reload Lantern Fest Cup scheduled for March 3rd, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the Aaliyah skin, how to earn it without spending V-Bucks, and what other free rewards are up for grabs during the event.

Who Is Aaliyah in Fortnite Lantern Fest 2026?

Aaliyah is the official mascot of Fortnite’s Lantern Fest 2026 event. She follows in the footsteps of Anwar and Noorah, who served as the mascots for last year’s Lantern Fest.

The Aaliyah skin features a teal and gold outfit with Middle Eastern-inspired design elements. She wears a red geometric belt, gold teardrop headchain and earrings, and a green pendant necklace. Her look is completed by a pair of dark mechanical gloves that give the outfit a combat-ready feel alongside its festive style.

While Aaliyah will eventually appear in the Fortnite Item Shop as a paid skin, players have the opportunity to earn her for free before she goes on sale.

How to Unlock the Aaliyah Skin for Free

The only way to get the Aaliyah skin for free is by competing in the Reload Lantern Fest Cup on March 3rd, 2026. This is a one-time competitive event, so players who want the skin at no cost should not miss this date.

Here are the key details for the cup:

  • It is a Duos tournament, meaning players need a partner to compete.
  • The cup is open to all regions with no rank requirement to enter.
  • Each elimination earns 2 points during matches.
  • A Victory Royale awards 60 points.

Players who score high enough by the end of the tournament will earn the Aaliyah skin for free. Practicing in Reload mode ahead of the event is a good way to prepare.

Free Spray and Emoticon Rewards from Reload Quests

Even if the Reload Lantern Fest Cup feels too competitive, there are still free cosmetic rewards available through Reload Quests. These quests run from February 19th to February 25th, 2026, and players must complete them with their 8-player team.

Quests CompletedReward
3 QuestsBring It Spray
8 QuestsLove the Game Emoticon

These quests take place in the 8-player Reload Teams mode, which is available from February 19 through March 18, 2026. Ranked mode is not available during this period.

Anwar and Noorah Bundle Also Available

Players who missed the Anwar and Noorah skins from last year’s Lantern Fest can now pick up the Radiant Moon Bundle in the Fortnite Item Shop. The bundle is priced at 1,800 V-Bucks and includes both skins.

Key Dates to Remember

  • February 19 to February 25, 2026 – Reload Quests active for free spray and emoticon rewards
  • February 19 to March 18, 2026 – 8-player Reload Teams mode available
  • March 3, 2026 – Reload Lantern Fest Cup (chance to earn the Aaliyah skin for free)

The Aaliyah skin is one of the standout additions to Fortnite’s Lantern Fest 2026. Players looking to add her to their locker without spending any V-Bucks should mark March 3rd on their calendar and start practicing in Reload mode now.

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

The Witcher 3 Is Now Free on Xbox Game Pass, but There Is a Catch

Pranav Nalawade
-
0
The Witcher 3 Is Now Free on Xbox Game Pass, but There Is a Catch

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition is officially available on Xbox Game Pass starting today, February 19, 2026. The beloved open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red has made its long-awaited return to the subscription service after being removed back in 2021. However, not every Game Pass subscriber will be able to play it for free.

Which Xbox Game Pass Tiers Include The Witcher 3?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition is only available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium subscribers. Players on these two tiers can download and play the game on Cloud and Console, including both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Members of the PC Game Pass subscription tier are not included. This means PC Game Pass users will need to purchase The Witcher 3 separately if they want to play it. This is notable because PC Game Pass itself is expected to be dissolved in the coming months following a recent restructuring announcement from Microsoft.

The Witcher 3 Was Previously on Game Pass From 2019 to 2021

This is not the first time The Witcher 3 has appeared on Xbox Game Pass. The game was originally added to the service in 2019 and remained available for subscribers until 2021, when it was removed. Its return after roughly five years is a welcome addition for fans who missed out or want to revisit Geralt’s story.

What Is Included in the Complete Edition?

The Complete Edition bundles the base game with both major expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Together, this package offers over 150 hours of content. Players step into the role of monster slayer Geralt of Rivia as he searches for his adopted daughter Ciri, known as the Child of Prophecy. The journey involves branching storylines, complex monster contracts, and encounters with characters like Yennefer of Vengerberg, Triss Merigold, and the bard Dandelion.

Awards and Sales Numbers

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has won more than 250 Game of the Year awards and over 1,000 total industry awards since its original 2015 release. The game has sold 60 million copies worldwide, while the combined sales across the entire Witcher franchise have reached 85 million copies.

10th Anniversary Celebrations Are Still Ongoing

CD Projekt Red has been celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Witcher 3 throughout 2025 and into 2026. These celebrations have included a worldwide Witcher in Concert tour, commemorative merchandise, and various collaborations. The game’s addition to Xbox Game Pass arrives during this anniversary period.

Other Games Joining Xbox Game Pass in February Wave 2

The Witcher 3 is part of a larger February Wave 2 lineup for Xbox Game Pass. Other titles joining the service around the same time include:

  • Aerial_Knight’s DropShot (February 17) – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (February 17) – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • EA Sports College Football 26 (February 19) – Game Pass Ultimate
  • Death Howl (February 19) – Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
  • TCG Card Shop Simulator (February 24) – Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (March 3) – Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass
  • Final Fantasy III (March 3) – Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass

As new titles arrive, several games are leaving the service. Titles departing include Monster Train, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Injustice 2, and Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Subscribers who want to finish these games should do so before they are removed.

Is The Witcher 3 on Game Pass Worth Playing in 2026?

For anyone with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Premium subscription who has not played The Witcher 3, this is an easy recommendation on paper. The Complete Edition includes everything CD Projekt Red released for the game, and it remains one of the most critically acclaimed RPGs ever made. The only downside is that lower-tier subscribers and PC Game Pass members are locked out of this particular addition.

1...323334...2,021Page 33 of 2,021

EDITOR PICKS

Opinions

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

TalkEsport is world's premier stop for esports scores, news and coverage! In the industry since 2009, TalkEsport has garnered immense authenticity and credibility, making it the top destination for Esports!

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© TalkEsport Media & Broadcasting (P) Ltd. All Rights Reserved 2009-2026.