Okay, so there’s this new free game called FragPunk – it’s a hero shooter, if you’re into that kind of thing. Made by Bad Guitar Studio and bankrolled by NetEase, it’s been making some serious noise on Steam. Launched on PC just last week, March 6th, 2025, and get this – the number of people playing it has more than doubled in just a few days! That’s a pretty impressive jump and suggests a lot of folks are digging this 5v5 first-person shooter, even though some early reviews were a bit mixed, mostly about the in-game purchases and a few techy problems at the start.
This FragPunk game, all bright colors and fast action, shot up the Steam charts like crazy. By Sunday, March 9th, it peaked at over 113,000 players online at the same time! SteamDB says that made it the 17th most-played game on Steam that day, sitting right up there with mega-hits like GTA V and Tencent’s Delta Force. Not bad company to be in, right? This kind of quick climb from launch definitely puts FragPunk on the map as a real contender in the crowded hero shooter genre.
Now, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows at first. While players seemed to really click with the basic gameplay – especially the shooting and this cool card system that changes things up each round – FragPunk initially got a “Mixed” rating on Steam. The main gripes? Server issues, some other technical glitches, and the way the game tries to get you to spend money. Apparently, some people felt the game was a bit too pushy with its multiple currencies and pricey microtransactions.
But here’s the thing – those early reviews seem to be turning around. FragPunk’s user score on Steam has actually climbed to “Mostly Positive,” with a solid 72% of over 12,000 reviews being thumbs up. That’s a good sign! It looks like a lot of players are finding the core game really fun and addictive, and maybe they’re willing to overlook or just put up with the downsides. Player comments are highlighting how quick and varied the matches are, how the card system adds some real strategy, and the cool, unique look of the characters and the game world itself.
Compared to other games NetEase has put out in the past, especially those live service ones, FragPunk’s launch is interesting. NetEase’s “Once Human” and “Marvel Rivals” actually had even bigger player numbers right at launch, with “Marvel Rivals” hitting a crazy 644,000 peak players. Still, FragPunk’s steady growth and those improving user reviews hint that it’s building a pretty strong base for the long haul.
Good news is, Bad Guitar Studio seems to be listening to players. They’ve already put out an FAQ addressing some of the concerns, like the Battle Pass and login problems. That kind of quick response to community feedback suggests they’re serious about polishing the game and fixing what’s bugging people. The big challenge now is keeping this initial buzz going and turning those early players into a solid, long-term community. If they keep working on it, squashing bugs, and maybe tweaking the money stuff, FragPunk could definitely become a popular free-to-play hero shooter on Steam.
So, as FragPunk keeps evolving and reacting to what players are saying, its early success on Steam really shows that new games in the hero shooter world can still grab attention and make their mark, even in a super competitive market.
Hold up, handheld gaming fans! It sounds like there might be a fresh contender entering the arena soon. Rumor has it that Xbox is gearing up to launch their very own handheld console later this year. The word on the street, according to a recent scoop from Windows Central, is that Microsoft is teaming up with a PC gaming company (an OEM, if you’re into the jargon) to drop a dedicated Xbox handheld, currently going by the name “Keenan.” This could be a pretty big deal, marking a serious push by Microsoft into the world of portable gaming, and putting them right up against the likes of Nintendo and Valve.
Apparently, this “Keenan” thing is going to scream ‘Xbox’ from every angle design-wise. Think familiar Xbox looks and even the proper Xbox guide button – you know, the one you’re used to. This definitely suggests Microsoft wants to build something that feels instantly familiar to Xbox fans and delivers that smooth, consistent brand experience.
Now, what’s powering this thing? Well, the buzz is that it’ll be running Windows, which is interesting. That would mean access to the Microsoft Store and the massive PC Game Pass library right out of the gate. Crucially, it sounds like they’re also planning to support other platforms, like Steam. Imagine having your entire Steam library playable on a handheld! That’s a seriously smart move and could be a huge draw for gamers who love having options and aren’t locked into just one ecosystem.
Here’s a really interesting tidbit: this Xbox handheld is apparently being talked about as a warm-up act for Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox console, which is supposedly coming in 2027. Think of the handheld as a ‘test run’ for Microsoft. It lets them see how people react, gather data, and basically get a feel for the market before they drop their big next-gen console. Releasing a handheld in 2025 and then a proper next-gen console in 2027? That shows they’re serious about both playing the short game and the long game in the hardware world.
Now, Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer has dropped hints before about looking into handhelds. But previous whispers suggested it was still a ways off. This “Keenan” timeline seems way faster, which makes you wonder if something changed their minds – maybe the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and those rumors of Sony jumping back into handhelds lit a fire under them? If Xbox actually drops a handheld, it could seriously mix things up in the portable gaming world. Imagine the Xbox ecosystem and PC Game Pass on a handheld – that’s a pretty strong contender against the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. Plus, it shows that even with Xbox games going multi-platform, Microsoft is still invested in making their own hardware.
Okay, so details are still pretty thin on the ground, and Microsoft hasn’t officially said “yep, Keenan is real.” But when you hear it from reliable sources like Windows Central, it definitely gets the gaming juices flowing, right? If these rumors pan out, 2025 could be a game-changer for handhelds, with Xbox potentially becoming a major force. Gamers everywhere are going to be glued to their screens, waiting to see if this “Keenan” project turns into reality and what cool stuff Xbox brings to the portable party.
The donk before donk, Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovac’s accession to the upper echelons of Counter Strike was nothing short of staggering. His storied career boasts all the notable honors a player wishes to win, all but one: the ever-elusive Major, which escaped his hands several times in the past decade. As he prepares to fight for the Major in 2025, let’s look at how his move to the Falcons would be near his dream to lift the Major.
The early day’s of FaZe Clan
NiKo’s first real shot at the Major came in 2018 in the colors of FaZe Clan. Acquiring G2’s CS:GO roster, FaZe shuffled it for a year and landed the first super-team in the game’s history. On paper, the roster had the potential to outperform anyone, but they failed to click like everyone expected them to. Three players from the roster, namely, Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovac, Olof ‘olofmeister’ Kajbjer, and Ladislav ‘guardiaN’ Kovács, were in the conversion for the title of the best player in the world.
The team took time to gel together and come into the 2018 E League Boston Major in the most supreme form. It seemed like the stars had aligned for a young NiKo to get the biggest accolade the game can offer, but little did the FaZe roster know what awaited them in the Finals. FaZe blew everyone that came in their way out of the water, leading up to the finals having all 5 players firing on all cylinders.
The finals saw FaZe take on a Cloud9 roster that no one expected to make it to the finals. In the most dramatic of fashions, NiKo’s start-studded FaZe choked on Inferno, giving Cloud9 the room to come back and lift the first and only Major for a North American side.
That defeat broke FaZe’s morale as the roster went through a plethora of changes in the following years. Still, nothing made the roster a true competitor for titles, leading to NiKo parting ways with the organization for the chance to play with his cousin Nemanja ‘huNter’ Kovač in G2 Esports despite moments of glory. Still, they, too, were few and far between. FaZe Clan’s problems were readily apparent; having too many stars posed IGL Karrigan with too many issues as there was little room for every player to find their comfort to provide the impact. Many argue that their prowess was driving them, not the systematic approach that Karrigan is famous for.
To put salt in the wound, two years after NiKo’s departure, FaZe Clan won the Counter-Strike treble, winning Cologne, Katowice, and the Major, all in the same season, which led to them completing the Intel Grandslam, once again under the leadership of one Finn ‘karrigan’ Anderson who was now provided with all the tools he wanted, formed a team with broky, ropz, and twistzz complemented by their old guard in Håvard ‘rain’ Nygaard.
Reaching his peak in G2
Having joined a dysfunctional G2, the roster was left with 6 players. His initial days in G2 were spent finalizing the roster. JACKZ and AMANEK were the two players that were presumed to make way, but to everyone’s surprise, the roster found their most consistent form by benching their star man in KennyS. Kenny, one of the game’s icons, had to give up the AWP to AMANEK. AMANEK wasn’t the flashiest of AWPers, but he learned to hold himself against top sides, while NiKo and huNter managed to put up the big numbers, which made G2 see a glimmer of hope.
The first iteration of G2 with NiKo peaked at the PGL Stockholm Major, where they blew everyone away in the opening stage despite looking shaky at times. Once again, the individual brilliance of the roster was driving it. Nexa, not being the most tactically adept IGL, shared the responsibility with NiKo, which led to the roster grinding out matches, though not in a convincing fashion on most occasions. G2 faced NAVI in the finals, where they faced a s1mple in the form of his life, and despite his best efforts, NiKo once again fell to NAVI. His deagle whiff painted his incredible Major performance in an unappealing light that tainted his legacy worse than the Boston Major.
G2 brought in Aleksib to steer the ship, which failed, leading the organization to secure the services of Rasums ‘HooXi’ Neilsen. Along with Aleski, G2 roped in a generational talent in m0NESY, who would become the team’s heartbeat moving forward. HooXi’s G2 faired poorly at the Major, failing to qualify once, and an early exit closed that door for NiKo between 2022 and 2023. Despite poor form at the Major, this iteration of G2 saw NiKo pick up two trophies that eluded him previously, IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne. While these are the best honors besides the Major that one can win, the player of NiKo stature would not be satisfied with anything less than the Major. G2s concluded their CS: GO run without the Major but with two of the following big honors that they could have won.
CS2 saw a drop in form with the G2 roster, and once again, they found changing the IGL and bringing in a new player to add firepower to the team as the solution. In came MalbsMd and snax to replace nexa and HooXi, respectively. At some point between 2023 and 2024, the Falcons’ interest in NiKo was revealed, and it was believed that they wanted him on board to form their version of a super-team.
Falcons wanted to bring NiKo and m0NESY from G2, but the move did not come through, walking into the 2025 season as NiKo chose to continue with G2. G2’s early showing with snax saw them reach the Finals of the esports World Cup before losing to Team Vitality, but their performance proved convincing enough to prepare for the Major with this team. By the time the roster reached the Shanghai Major, NiKo’s departure was all but announced, which led the critics to call it his last shot at the Major.
While it wasn’t a NiKo-driven performance in the presence of m0NESY and malbsMd, he was instrumental in G2 reaching the semi-finals in Shanghai. G2 faced a shaky FaZe Clan in Shanghai, who previously stunned tournament favourites in Vitality in the quarters after somehow qualifying from the previous stage. They miraculously lost to FaZe Clan in a match where they were clear favorites walking in, leaving the team heartbroken. With all the stars lined up for NiKo once again, G2 fell to a team that NiKo left to win the Major. With this loss, NiKo’s time with G2 ended after 4 years of winning it all but the big one.
NiKo’s Style
Being a hard carry in his early days with MOUZ, NiKo turned into a full-time lurker under Karrigan in FaZe Clan. He is a highly dynamic player who succeeds in more offensive roles on the T-side and carries that same threat on the defense. He may be one of the most mechanically gifted players of all time, but many overlook the cerebral aspect of NiKo’s playstyle.
CS is a thinking man’s game, and NiKo has often done some of his best work away from the duels. As time has passed, NiKo has turned into more of a second entry and secondary caller but not altogether leaving behind the lurker in him. Despite not being an entry fragger, he boasts one of the highest OPK ratings, rivaling that of Donk. While trophies may not have come his way in specific periods of his career, statistics point out that he is the most consistent rifler in the past decade.
Year
HLTV Rating
2015
1.16
2016
1.19
2017
1.21
2018
1.22
2019
1.19
2020
1.23
2021
1.14
2022
1.17
2023
1.13
2024
1.12 (approx.)
NiKo’s IR in the past 10 years showcased his consistency as a rifle.
NiKo is often found playing a position that is generally taken up by AWPers, such as the connector on Mirage, a site ramp on Dust 2, and Outer in Nuke. NiKo poses just as big of a threat to teams using a rifle as an AWPer does, which goes to show his proficient understanding of the game, let alone his generational mechanics.
Why theFalcons?
Falcons were supposed to form a superteam around NiKo, but having failed to secure all the pieces of the puzzle, NiKo is once again surrounded by players who in no shape or form are superstars. Having secured NiKo, the Falcons had no choice but to pick up Heroic’s trio to secure their slot at the significant events. It goes without saying that this roster is in poor shape and form compared to what NiKo had in G2, which begs the question of whether this was the right decision in NiKo’s pursuit of the Major.
While NiKo wasn’t given the team he was promised, he is left with an experienced Magisk who is not as sharp as he once was, a disaster who failed to deliver on the big stage, and an inexperienced IGL in Kyxsan. TeSeS can be one of the stars, given he is in his prime and one of the strongest aimers in the game right now. While this team doesn’t spark confidence in our hearts, NiKo chose this for himself. Looking in from the outside, this team is far from capable of lifting a Major, but we have had miracle runs in the past, and it would take a miracle for the Falcons to bring home a Major with the current line-up.
NiKo, as a player, has done it all, with a decade of experience under his belt. It is hard to assume the Falcons will proceed with the decision to acquire the Heroic trio without running it by NiKo first. We can only assume that NiKo and Zonic will further shape the team as time passes, and it is unlikely to happen leading up to the Austin Major.
The team is nascent and has yet to find its footing, making it too early to justify any changes. Throwing in big names at the problem isn’t the solution, as NiKo has experienced during his time in FaZe. It is safe to assume that he will be diplomatic in acquiring the right fit for his team moving forward, and the Falcons as an organization are always ready with a war chest that allows them to sign whoever they want. NiKo’s twilight years will soon reach a stage where it is now or never, despite critics believing his time has passed.
As admirers of his game, we trust that NiKo will do what he feels is right to win the major. In a career flooded with glory and misery, NiKo has gone on to collect accolades along with some very painful memories, but all it has done is make him a wiser version of that young, fiery rifler from MOUZ. With high hopes, NiKo continues to grind, hoping that his decade-long pursuit of the Major ends before he hangs up his mouse.
The latest update for Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games’ fast-paced hero shooter, has introduced a new term that’s got everyone talking: “bussing.” But what does it mean, and why is it causing such a stir in the game? Let’s break it down.
What is “Bussing” in Marvel Rivals?
In Marvel Rivals, “bussing” doesn’t mean what you might think. Unlike in other games like Lost Ark or Overwatch, where it often refers to skilled players helping weaker ones, “bussing” here has a darker twist. It’s when players team up with cheaters—like hackers using aimbots or wallhacks—to artificially boost their ranks. Essentially, they’re riding the coattails of cheaters to climb the leaderboards without putting in the work.
This definition was clarified by the developers after some players initially confused “bussing” with carrying weaker teammates. Now, it’s officially a reportable offense, and players can flag suspicious behavior mid-match.
How Does “Bussing” Affect Gameplay?
“Bussing” is a big deal because it disrupts the competitive balance of Marvel Rivals. Imagine playing a ranked match, only to find out your opponent’s teammate is using cheats to land impossibly precise shots or move in unnatural ways. It’s frustrating, unfair, and ruins the experience for everyone else.
The community has been vocal about this issue on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with players sharing clips of killcams showing blatant cheating. NetEase has responded by adding an in-match reporting feature, making it easier to catch and report “bussing” in real-time.
How to Spot and Report “Bussing”
Spotting “bussing” isn’t too hard if you know what to look for. Keep an eye out for players with suspiciously perfect aim, unnatural movements, or behavior that just doesn’t add up. If you suspect someone is “bussing,” here’s how to report them:
Press Esc during the match.
Select “Report Player.”
Choose “Bussing” from the list of offenses.
The tricky part is proving intent. Some players worry that innocent teammates might get caught up in reports if they’re unknowingly paired with a cheater. NetEase hasn’t shared all the details on how they’ll verify reports, but the new feature shows they’re serious about cracking down on rank manipulation.
Why “Bussing” Matters in Season 1.5
The timing of this update is no coincidence. Marvel RivalsSeason 1.5, which launched on March 10, 2025, is all about competitive integrity. With events like Clone Rumble and new skins up for grabs, the stakes are higher than ever. “Bussing” threatens this balance by giving cheaters and their teammates an unfair edge, especially in ranked modes where every point counts.
This crackdown on “bussing” is also crucial as Marvel Rivals continues to grow its esports scene. The ongoing Marvel Rivals Invitational 2025, with its massive $400,000 prize pool, is a testament to the game’s competitive potential. Keeping the game fair and cheat-free is essential for its long-term success.
What’s Next?
NetEase has made it clear they’re committed to maintaining a fair and fun environment for all players. As they refine the reporting system and address “bussing,” players can expect more updates and improvements. For now, stay vigilant, report wisely, and enjoy the chaos of Galacta’s Cosmic Adventure—without the cheaters.
So, the next time you hear someone talking about “bussing meaning Marvel Rivals,” you’ll know exactly what they’re referring to. Let’s keep the game fair and fun for everyone!
Big news for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) fans! Rumors are swirling that a voice pack featuring MC Stan, the popular Indian rapper and Bigg Boss 16 winner, might be coming to the game. The buzz started after well-known leaker mad_tamizha shared a video hinting at the possibility. While Krafton, the developers of BGMI, haven’t confirmed anything yet, the leak has already set the gaming community abuzz.
If the rumors are true, players could soon be dropping into Erangel or Miramar with MC Stan’s iconic voice guiding them through the action. Imagine hearing his signature style and catchphrases as you strategize with your squad – sounds pretty epic, right?
For those who might not know, MC Stan (real name Altaf Tadavi) is one of India’s biggest names in hip-hop. Hailing from Pune, the 25-year-old rapper has made waves with his unique blend of Hindi and mumble rap, often drawing inspiration from street life and personal experiences. He first gained attention with tracks like “Wata” and “Khuja Mat,” and his career skyrocketed after he won Bigg Boss 16, making him a household name across the country.
BGMI’s Tradition of Voice Packs
This isn’t the first time BGMI has teamed up with Indian celebrities to spice up the game. In the past, they’ve introduced voice packs featuring popular gamers and streamers like Mortal, Thug, Jonathan, Dynamo, Scout, and Payal. These packs replace the standard in-game commands with the voices of these personalities, adding a fun and personal touch for players. For example, Mortal and Thug’s voice packs, released in May 2023, included their iconic dialogues as in-game commands, making the experience even more immersive for fans.
What Could the MC Stan Voice Pack Include?
While details about the voice pack are still under wraps, fans are already speculating about which of MC Stan’s famous catchphrases might make the cut. Will we hear his signature lines as we loot, fight, and strategize? Only time will tell, but the idea of dropping into Pochinki with MC Stan’s voice in your ears is definitely exciting.
Why Voice Packs Are a Big Deal
Voice packs have become a fan-favorite feature in BGMI. They let players replace the generic in-game voice commands with the voices of their favorite personalities, adding a layer of fun and familiarity. For fans of MC Stan, this could mean a whole new level of connection to the game.
What’s Next?
For now, all we can do is wait for an official announcement from Krafton. In the meantime, players can check out the existing voice packs and keep their fingers crossed for the potential arrival of the MC Stan pack. If the leaks are true, BGMI is about to get a whole lot more stylish, with a Desi hip-hop twist that’s sure to make the battlegrounds even more thrilling.
PGL has started preparing for the Astana 2025 event which is scheduled to start this summer in the capital of Kazakhstan. After PGL Cluj Napoca and Bucharest 2025, PGL Astana will be the third event for the organizer.
While the tournament is all set to start on 10th May with a $1.25 million prize pool, PGL has announced the qualifiers details. A total of 16 teams will compete in the tournament. Among the 16 teams, 12 of them will come through invitations. The other 4 teams will become eligible through the qualifiers as every region (Europe, Asia, North America, and South America) will get its own open qualifiers. The Asia region is divided into 4 sub-regions – China, MENA, Oceania and Rest of Asia.
🚨 Here are the teams receiving direct invites to PGL Astana 2025! 🇰🇿
🔥 The last four teams will earn their spots through the Qualifiers! 💥
Therefore, a total of 8 teams will go to the closed qualifiers. The $1,250,000 prize pool will be distributed among the participating teams as follows:
Once the Open Qualifiers end, the top teams will move on to the Closed Qualifiers:
Round 1: March 27-30
Round 2: March 31 – April 1
From underdog to dominant team, PGL Astana 2025 is going to be one of the most exciting CS2 tournaments of this year. Which team are you rooting for? Let us know in the comment section below.
With last week’s update, Valorant has introduced the new duelist Waylay along with Season 25 Act 2. The new agent was actually revealed during the Masters Bangkok Showmatch as the agent’s origin is Thailand. Apart from the new agent, Riot also brought in a new Hindering effect in the game.
Waylay has the capacity to become one of the most useful duelists, as it has some of the most effective abilities in the game. Refract and the Light Speed abilities are both very useful while entering a site. However, if you go to your Agents section within the game and try to recruit Waylay, you might not be able to do it.
In this article, we will dig into the details of how to unlock the new duelist in Valorant.
How to Unlock Waylay in Valorant?
There are a few ways you can unlock the new agent. Let’s check them out one by one:
Agent Recruitment Event: If you currently click on the Recruit button, you will see that the Agent Recruitment event will end in 23 days. If you can earn more than 200,000 XP within the event end date, you will be able to unlock Waylay for free.
Kingdom Credits: However, if you want to unlock the agent after the recruitment event ends for free, you will need to have 8000 KC.
Valorant Points: The above-mentioned points apply to you if you have patience. However, if you want to unlock it right now, the only way is to purchase 1000 VP in the game. It will let you unlock Waylay right now.
If you follow any one of the methods and still face any issues, restart your PC once.
Note: You can’t purchase Kingdom Credits within the game. The only way to get KC is to grind the in-game missions and objectives.
Waylay definitely has the potential to become one of the most effective duelists. Therefore, we will suggest you unlock it as soon as possible. The earlier you unlock the new duelist, the more time you will get to play with it.
Which one of the above-mentioned methods seems suitable for you? Let us know in the comment section below.
You are going to love Desert Detectors if you like digging for treasures. In this Roblox game developed by Diggin’ Devs, you have to get into a treasure-hunting adventure. You will receive a metal detector within the game and with that, you have to detect treasure located under the soil.
However, to upgrade your metal detectors, you need to have cash and EXP. To get free cash and EXP in the game, you can use the active codes for Desert Detectors.
Desert Detectors Codes for March 2025
Allen: 70 Cash
David: 50 EXP
How to Redeem Desert Detectors Codes?
Redeeming the active codes is quite straightforward. Just follow the steps mentioned below:
Open up Desert Detectors on Roblox.
Go to Menu and scroll down.
There you will find the Codes section where it is written “Type Code Here“.
Enter a code inside the box and press Enter.
You will receive the rewards instantly after the above-mentioned steps.
Note: The Desert Detectors codes will be active for a limited period of time which is not confirmed. Therefore, redeem them as soon as possible to get the most out of them.
What is Desert Detectors?
Desert Detectors is a Roblox game that involves treasure hunting. In this game, players need to employ metal detectors to locate buried relics, coins, and other treasures buried in the sand. The game has different tools and upgrades through which players can upgrade their detectors to search faster.
Apart from that, players can also unlock different areas, with each area filled with rarer and more valuable treasures. The game also has quests, achievements, and leaderboards with rankings, which create competition. Codes for Desert Detectors grant rewards such as cash and experience points in the game.
Have you already redeemed the codes? Let us know in the comment section below. If not, go ahead and redeem them as soon as possible before they expire.
The highly anticipated BGMI 3.7 update is all set to launch on 13th March, 2025. This update will bring a plethora of new features, including the Golden Dynasty theme mode, a brand-new Rondo map, and more. Players can expect time-related abilities, a rideable camel, and nostalgic Mylta Power changes. Here’s everything you need to know about this game-changing update.
What to Expect in BGMI 3.7 Update
Following are a few of the key features coming with the BGMI 3.7 Update:
Golden Dynasty Theme Mode
The Golden Dynasty theme transports players to a mystical golden sand kingdom centered around the concept of “time.” Players can choose to land on one of two mirrored floating islands during their descent. The environment features majestic palaces, exquisite oasis decorations, enigmatic hourglass elements, and abundant treasures. A notable addition is a dagger capable of bending time, allowing players to rewind a few seconds in combat, offering a strategic advantage.
New Map: Rondo
BGMI 3.7 update will also introduce a new 8×8 km map called “Rondo,” featuring a mix of traditional Asian architecture, futuristic buildings, and vast green landscapes. This map is designed for high-intensity battle royale matches, accommodating up to 100 players per match.
New Vehicle: Camel
Similar to the Panda introduced in the BGMI 3.6 update, the Camel is a new animal vehicle added in the 3.7 update. Players can encounter and ride the Camel in the theme mode, providing unique mobility options in the desert terrain.
Map Enhancements: Old Mylta Power
The update brings thematic areas to various map locations, offering new loot and combat opportunities. Additionally, Erangel’s Mylta Power area will revert to its original design, invoking nostalgia among long-time players.
The BGMI 3.7 update brings a plethora of new, exciting changes and addition to the game. Since Krafton continues to improve and develop BGMI, this update is another step towards maintaining the game interesting and innovative for its huge player base.
Over the past decade, the esports industry has seen explosive growth throughout the globe, transforming itself from a niche subculture into a mainstream entertainment juggernaut. From the era of legendary titles like CS 1.6 and Dota to contemporary hits like Marvel Rivals and Counter-Strike 2, the world of esports has evolved to such an extent that it now rivals traditional sports both in terms of viewership as well as revenue.
With the rising popularity of esports and video games in general, streaming platforms have also witnessed a tremendous uptick in viewership, especially since the COVID-19 era. In fact, between March 2020 and March 2021, prominent streaming platform Twitch experienced a humongous 80% growth within the span of a year, with viewers spending a total of 1.8 billion hours watching content on the platform in February 2021 compared to 1.1 billion hours in March 2020.
But do these figures accurately represent the state of esports viewership in 2025, or have we finally reached a plateau? With a series of high-profile failures in recent game launches, growing competition from other entertainment mediums, and constantly fluctuating audience preferences, the future of esports looms with uncertainty.
The Rise of Esports
Over the past few years, esports has grown into a billion-dollar industry and is currently more accessible than ever. Gone are the days of local CS 1.6 tournaments in gaming cafés and Halo LAN parties with friends—modern-day esports packs sold-out arenas, boasts multimillion-dollar prize pools, and attracts numerous viewers through global livestreams.
The early 2010s marked a paradigm shift in the world of esports. With blockbuster releases like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS:GO, esports garnered an unprecedented level of attention from teenagers and young adults across the world. From then on, it was pretty much an uphill ride for the industry, with events like The International setting new milestones with record-breaking prize pools, leagues like the LCS and LCK establishing structured competition, and streaming platforms like Twitch bringing esports to a wider audience.
As a result, it didn’t take long for esports viewership to skyrocket, with the League of Legends World Championship 2019 drawing in a whopping 3.9 millionpeak concurrent viewers and CS:GO Majors trailing close behind. Mobile gaming also saw tremendous growth towards the late 2010s, with events like Free Fire World Series Rio 2019 clocking in 2 million peak viewers.
With COVID-19 reaching a global scale in March 2020, people were shut inside their homes for months. While it’s undeniable that millions worldwide were adversely affected, the pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise for esports as more people than ever turned to online streaming platforms to watch their favorite video game tournaments and content creators, further fueling the growth of websites like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming to unprecedented extents.
Are the Numbers Still Growing?
A lot has changed since then—lockdowns have lifted, the world has slowly returned to normalcy, and new esports titles have been popping up left and right. But the big question remains—are the numbers still climbing?
To answer this question, the first thing we have to do is take a look at the recent viewership statistics of esports events, and compare them with the viewership trends from the past years.
Analyzing the data, it’s evident that despite being a sixteen-year-old game, the viewership of League of Legends’ World Championships is on a steady upward trajectory.
But what about the growth in esports audience worldwide?
As per data from Statista, the global esports audience has also seen exponential growth since the start of this decade. While there were approximately 215.2 million global esports enthusiasts in 2020, projections indicate this number will surpass 318 million this year.
These trends suggest that esports viewership has not only climbed since 2020 but also continues to grow, reflecting the increasing popularity of competitive gaming.
The Streaming Economy: Are Esports Fans Flocking to Content Creators?
Content creators are playing a pivotal role in shaping the modern streaming economy. The past few years have seen an increased trend of esports watch parties, where viewers tune into esports tournaments alongside their favorite streamers instead of watching the official broadcast for the event.
In fact, prominent streamers like Mark “ohnePixel” Zimmermann and Tarik “Tarik” Celik drawing in more viewers to their watch parties than the official livestreams of some of the biggest Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant events is also not unheard of.
As a result, a number of top esports pros have made the switch to full-time streaming in recent years. Notably, Tyson “TenZ” Ngo and Tarik, two former Valorant pros, have left their competitive careers behind to pursue content creation.
This sudden shift in esports viewership raises an important debate: Do casual viewers prefer entertainment-driven content over high-intensity esports broadcasts?
Obviously, the answer to this question isn’t quite black and white. While watch parties with your favorite streamers certainly have their appeal, they are no replacement for official tournament broadcasts, which provide esport fans with an immersive viewing experience in addition to in-depth expert analysis.
Watch parties often provide viewers with a more interactive and relaxed environment to watch their favorite teams compete in, but one of the many things that sets official broadcasts apart is the energy and excitement that professional casters bring to the table. From ODPixel’s iconic “CEEEEEEB!” shout during the TI8 grand final to Semmler immortalising Happy’s Deagle ace in DreamHack London 2015, casters have a remarkable ability to transform clutch plays into legendary moments.
It’s pretty safe to say that for most hardcore esports fans, official streams remain the go-to destination for an unmatched, adrenaline-filled viewing experience.
Sponsorships & Revenue
In recent years, a number of esports organizations have disclosed their financial difficulties in sustaining operations. Industry giants like FaZe Clan and Heroic reported massive net losses in 2022, with the former experiencing a net loss of $53.2 million and the latter’s losses exceeding $20 million.
In February 2023, FaZe Clan laid off 20% of its staff. Lee Trink, CEO of the renowned esports org, attributed these layoffs to “uncertainty in the overall economy” and a focus on “financial discipline.”
Thus, the once-booming sponsorship market in esports eventually slowed down due to economic uncertainty and diminishing returns on investment.
Early 2023 also saw some big names like BMW pulling away from esports sponsorships, which further fueled concerns about more non-endemic brands following suit. However, industry staples like Red Bull, Logitech, and Intel stayed and adapted to the changing landscape, continuing their investment in esports events.
Moreover, new revenue streams also emerged in the industry, with Saudi Arabia’s controversial yet substantial investment in esports funding teams alongside massive tournaments like Riyadh Masters, which feature gigantic prize pools.
But what about the prize pools for official events?
Are Tournament Prize Pools Dropping?
As mentioned earlier, The International is the biggest annual Dota 2 tournament, and it’s organized by Valve themselves. The event, which has set multiple prize pool milestones in the past, has been seeing a steadilydeclining prize pool for the past few years.
For instance, the total prize pool of The International 2024 was approximately $2.75 million USD, which falls pale in comparison to the humongous $40 million USD prize pool of The International 2021. To this day, TI10 holds the world record for the largest prize pool in esports history, with no other event coming close.
While the shrinking prize pool of TI might seem like an alarming statistic at first glance, taking a closer look reveals that it might not be a cause of concern at all.
The prize pool of The International events is primarily crowdfunded, with 25% of the sales of the in-game Battle Pass contributing directly to the total winnings. In 2023, Valve announced the removal of the traditional Battle Passes from Dota 2 in order to shift their focus to more content-focused and year-round updates. As a result, Battle Passes were replaced by a Compendium that focused on celebrating TI itself alongside its participating teams and players.
The lack of cosmetics in the Compendium led to a drastic drop in the TI prize pool, but it also gave the Dota 2 community some amazing updates like Crownfall, Wandering Waters, and more.
On the other hand, the prize pool for Worlds—the biggest annual League of Legends tournament— has remained relatively consistent since 2021, maintaining a total of $2,225,000 USD each year.
Notably, Valorant Champions, the largest tournament for Riot Games’ flagship FPS, has seen a significant increase in its prize pool compared to its initial years. While Champions 2021 and 2022 had a prize pool of $1 million USD each, Champions 2023 and 2024 saw the total winnings jump to a whopping $2.25 million USD.
Is Esports Still the Next Big Thing?
Now that we’ve taken the time to try and analyse the current state of esports and its overall viewership, it might be a good time to ask: What does the future of esports look like?
While making an accurate prediction about the future of esports at a time when the industry is experiencing rapid shifts in trends can certainly be challenging, studying the data of the past few years certainly provides us with several key takeaways.
For starters, the surge in popularity of mobile esports suggests that accessibility and affordability are playing a major role in the industry’s growth. Titles like PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Free Fire have become juggernauts in the esports industry, proving that competitive gaming is no longer confined to PCs and consoles. After all, it’s not hard to see the charm in being able to play your favorite games on the go without having to shed a thousand bucks on a brand-new gaming PC every few years.
While the growth of mobile esports has been nothing short of commendable, traditional esports still remain the dominant force in the industry. Tournaments like Dota 2’s The International, LoL Worlds, Valorant Champions, and CS2 Majors continue to draw in millions of online viewers, attract thousands of passionate fans to live arenas, and set the stage for some of the most electrifying moments in esports history.
With video game companies continuing to fine-tune existing esports titles while simultaneously shipping out modern masterpieces like Deadlock and Marvel Rivals, the future of esports looks brighter than ever, and plenty of fresh opportunities await for teams, players, and viewers alike.
