On September 16th, Valorant players in certain regions reported facing the infamous VAL 43 error when trying to log into the competitive shooter.
For the uninitiated, the Valorant VAL 43 error is generally caused by an issue with the internet connection or game files, and can often be fixed by simply restarting the game.
This time, however, the outage appears to be far beyond the players’ control, and all signs suggest that Riot Games’ servers may be the source of the problem.
According to third-party websites like Downdetector, a significant wave of players have reported running into the same error while trying to log in, which is a clear indication that this is a server-side issue.
So, what can you do to fix the problem and get back into the game at the earliest?
Unfortunately, there’s little that can be done on the player side for now. Restarting the client or troubleshooting your internet connection won’t make a difference in this case. The only real solution is to wait until Riot Games rolls out a fix or stabilizes the servers.
In the meantime, it might be worth keeping an eye on Riot’s official Valorant support channels or social media pages for real-time updates on the situation and an estimated timeline for resolution.
The fan-favorite Prelude to Chaos skin bundle is finally making a return to Valorant!
Riot Games teased the comeback with a short video posted on its official X account on September 15, giving players a glance at the iconic skin collection.
As confirmed by prominent Valorant leaker and dataminer ‘ValorLeaks’ shortly afterward, the video was indeed a teaser for the upcoming Prelude to Chaos 2.0 collection.
The devs have yet to announce an official release date for the Prelude to Chaos 2.0 collection in Valorant. Leaks suggest that the bundle will be available for purchase from the in-game store starting September 18, 2025.
The Prelude to Chaos 2.0 bundle will be available on September 18/19. // #VALORANT
Not much else is known about the highly anticipated Prelude to Chaos sequel at the time of writing. However, since the first edition of the collection included a Vandal, it’s safe to assume that the Prelude to Chaos 2.0 bundle will feature a Phantom skin as its primary attraction.
For the uninitiated, the original Prelude to Chaos bundle featured skins for the following weapons:
Shorty
Stinger
Vandal
Operator
Melee
In the 2.0 iteration, these weapons are unlikely to return, except for a melee skin. Fans are speculating that the new bundle will introduce fresh additions like a Guardian or a shotgun skin.
Similar to the original bundle, the Prelude to Chaos 2.0 collection is expected to be Exclusive-tier, meaning each skin will likely cost around 2,175 VP, while the melee is likely to be priced at roughly 4,350 VP.
As confirmed by Riot Games, the highly anticipated replay system will finally be added to Valorant with its upcoming 11.06 update. It will enable players to watch their own replays across Unrated, Competitive, Swiftplay, and Premier games, but there’s a catch!
Players will only be able to check their replays from the patch that is currently live. For instance, if you played a game on patch 11.06 and you want to view the match replay on patch 11.07, you won’t be able to. Once a new patch hits the live servers, all replays from the previous one will no longer be accessible.
Additionally, you won’t be able to check out other players’ replays. This means that players will still be unable to tune into pro VODs from certain player perspectives or watch replays of the VCT or Valorant esports matches in general.
Alongside adding the replay system, the devs have also revealed a massive ban wave that took place over the past six months. According to Riot, the most recent crackdown removed over 40,000 bot accounts during this period.
Valorant 11.06 Patch Notes
Without further ado, let’s check out the detailed patch notes of the Valorant 11.06 update:
ALL PLATFORMS
COMPETITIVE UPDATES
Our last banwave hit 40,000 bots over the last 6 months!
BUG FIXES
Agents
We have fixed a rare bug where in a very very specific set of circumstances, Yoru and Reyna, after turning invisible, would reappear in their original location after the invisibility ended.
PC ONLY
GENERAL UPDATES
Replays
Replays are now available for your Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay and Premier games. Jump over here for more details!
PERFORMANCE UPDATES
The RawInputBuffer setting has been removed and is no longer configurable. The setting will be enabled at all times for players because it is more performant.
CONSOLE ONLY
KNOWN ISSUES
The highlight behavior for dropped weapons and the Spike is incorrect and will highlight when players are merely nearby rather than when directly looking at them. This will be resolved in Patch 11.07!
BUG FIXES
Fixed an issue with how New Player Tips were displayed on console.
Epic Games has started rolling out its long-awaited “Thin Client” feature on Fortnite, a moment of gaming innovation that may redefine how live-service game players engage with those experiences.
The Thin Client technology, under development for more than a year, will enable future players to download selectively only the Fortnite game modes they intend to play, significantly minimizing the game storage space from its present 60-100GB to around 16-20GB for the main client.
The system works similarly to platforms like Roblox, providing users with essential features, including the lobby, cosmetics store, and Battle Pass interface upon initial installation. Players can then choose which additional content to download separately, including Battle Royale, Zero Build, Creative/UEFN, LEGO Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing modes.
This module-based strategy aims to rectify one of gaming’s most intractable issues: oversized game files that hog valuable storage space. Fortnite presently takes up anywhere between 18GB and more than 100GB, depending on the platform and downloaded features, prompting numerous users to uninstall other games or applications to make room for updates.
Phased Global Rollout Begins
The Thin Client feature is starting its phased rollout worldwide today, first debuting on mobile platforms and then spreading to PC and consoles.
The rollout is a notable departure from the initial timeline of Epic Games, which first planned for October 2024 before being pushed back to mid-2025 amid technical hurdles. The firm has since opted for prioritizing the assurance of the system seamlessly operating on all platforms prior to full rollout.
The Thin Client technology would set a new precedent for live-service games, some of which have come to massive sizes over the years. Games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare have become sizes greater than 200GB, providing storage management headaches for players.
Epic’s solution has specific advantages for console gamers, particularly Nintendo Switch users who commonly face storage constraints given the platform’s low internal memory. The tech also deals with download time and data consumption worries, which are specifically applicable to players who have slower internet speeds or data limits.
The Thin Client improves upon Epic’s past optimization work, such as a successful 2020 effort that had cut Fortnite’s PC file size from more than 90GB to less than 30GB by means of better compression methods. The new framework goes further in that it provides fine-grained control over installed content.
The technology offers capabilities like on-demand cosmetic downloads, keeping the base installation size low but allowing access to bought content. Optional visual stuff like high-definition texture packs is still a standalone download, allowing users to have full control over their storage space allocation.
The gaming public has reacted enthusiastically to the news, with many seeing it as a long-awaited fix for storage limitations. Industry observers indicate that this may pressure other big publishers to follow suit and use modular methods for their live-service games.
G2 Esports is in the playoffs of FISSURE Playground 2, having beaten GamerLegion with a 2-1 scoreline. Starting the series with a map loss, G2 came in clutch to win back-to-back maps and make it to the playoffs over GamerLegion.
GamerLegion got on the board after a clean pistol round win from G2 and kept them on the back foot right from the second round of the map. G2 kept bleeding rounds up until the very end when they put together a few to close the half with a 4-8 deficit. The second half replicated a similar story, as after losing the pistol, GamerLegion converted their force buy to get back to their winning ways. G2 could barely put up a fight for the remainder of the half, leading to GL cruising past them with a rock-solid defense to close the half with a 13-5 scoreline. Tauson, with 19 kills, proved instrumental in GL taking down a giant in G2 and putting his team a map away from the playoffs.
Map 2: Ancient; Pick: G2; Winner: G2
After getting walked all over on Overpass, G2 came out swinging. The offence from G2 destroyed the poorly organized defense from GL, and the first half concluded with the latter managing only two rounds. Switching sides with a 10-8 scoreline, G2 didn’t let the risk of a comeback loom over their heads for much longer and closed it without letting GL win a single round in the second half. Compensating for the poor performance in the first map, MATYS came up clutch with a 20-6 scoreline to take the game to the final map.
Map 3: Inferno; Pick: Decider; Winner: G2
Hitting the scoreboard with a second-round force, G2 put up a streak of 6 rounds to build a decent scoreline before GL could make a few rounds come their way. As the scoreline was getting tighter, G2 pulled in the final few rounds of the half to edge out a solid lead of 8-4. The second half started well for GamerLegion as they levelled the scoreline before G2 could win a round. Levelling the score twice in the second half was far from sufficient as G2 managed to pull in the last 3 rounds of the map to win the series. Back-to-back scoreboard topper across both maps, MATYS’s 22 kills came in clutch for the team to qualify for the playoffs.
GamerLegion, despite their valiant effort, will need one more win to make it to the playoffs. Despite lacking any big names bar REZ, the team has been making the titans sweat, and from their recent form, all it will take is a good day to slay a giant.
Netflix’s all-time hit animated movie, KPop Demon Hunters, is coming to Fortnite, according to several reputable Fortnite leakers. The partnership is one of the quickest from movie launch to game inclusion in Fortnite history.
Renowned Fortnite dataminers SpushFNBR, Loolo_WRLD, and HYPEX confirmed the collaboration on September 15, with SpushFNBR indicating that the information came from “a reliable source.” The collab will launch during the ongoing Chapter 6 Season 4, which ends on November 1, 2025.
INSIDER: KPOP DEMON HUNTERS X FORTNITE – THIS SEASON!
This information comes from a reliable source, that me and @Loolo_WRLD can confirm, I will be posting more information in the next weeks, stay tuned!! #Fortnitepic.twitter.com/UGMP8h6Mth
Industry reports indicate an official statement may come within the next 1-2 weeks, with actual content falling between September 26 and early October 2025. This would take advantage of the movie’s unprecedented success while maintaining momentum prior to Fortnite’s next Fortnitemares event.
KPop Demon Hunters has broken Netflix viewing records since its release in June 2025, totaling over 280 million views and making it the platform’s most-watched original film. The movie’s soundtrack has been equally successful, with four songs charting on Billboard’s Hot 100 and the song “Golden” topping worldwide charts at number one.
The cross-promotion should have skins of the movie’s three heroines – Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who make up the imaginary K-pop group HUNTR/X but fight demons in secret. Players should expect several cosmetic looks, from glitzy performance attire to demon-hunting combat gear.
Other content may include theme-based emotes using the group’s choreography, jam tracks with popular songs from the soundtrack, and items based on the film’s colorful style. There’s some speculation that HUNTR/X may top a potential future Fortnite Music Festival, especially after the ongoing Gorillaz festival finishes on October 10.
The crossover represents Epic Games’ continued strategy of partnering with culturally significant properties, following successful collaborations with Marvel, anime franchises, and major recording artists.
Fortnite is preparing for one of its most nostalgic and culturally significant crossovers to date. Fresh leaks suggest that the long-rumored collaboration between The Simpsons and Epic Games is finally becoming a reality, with an entire Fortnite mini-season set in the animated world of Springfield.
According to prominent Fortnite insiders such as @Loolo_WRLD and @Egyptian_Leaker, the upcoming mini-season—expected to launch following Chapter 6 Season 4—will revolve around the universe of The Simpsons. The four-week event is rumored to introduce a new, standalone map roughly the size of the current Reload map, designed specifically for a 40-player mini battle royale format. This marks a shift from traditional Fortnite gameplay and signals Epic’s ongoing commitment to innovate through themed experiences.
THE NEXT FORTNITE MINI SEASON WILL BE SIMPSONS THEMED👀🔥
The new mode will reportedly include its own matchmaking lobby, bringing features like Boons into play while possibly replacing the core Battle Royale mode for its duration. While this could impact Fortnite esports dynamics, especially the FNCS (Fortnite Championship Series), the competitive edge won’t disappear—Reload Open Cups will continue, now likely set in Springfield’s zany terrain.
Though Epic has not confirmed which characters will appear, fans can likely expect iconic figures like Homer, Bart, and Lisa to make their debut as playable skins. Potential Points of Interest (POIs) on the map include fan-favorite Springfield landmarks such as Lard Lad Donuts and the Kwik-E-Mart, which could drastically reshape how players strategize and engage with the environment.
This move comes on the heels of other successful Fox collaborations including Peter Griffin and the Father’s Day cartoon dad bundle. With The Simpsons boasting over three decades of fandom, the crossover could draw a new audience into Fortnite’s expanding universe.
For players and pop culture enthusiasts alike, this may be more than a seasonal update—it’s a digital love letter to an American animation institution.
In a thrilling display of consistency and dominance, G2 Esports has officially become the first team to qualify for the 2025 VALORANT Champions in Paris, marking a major milestone in the competitive VALORANT season.
The North American powerhouse punched its ticket to the championship after eliminating Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) in a decisive 2-0 sweep at the VCT Masters Toronto, securing the top position in the Championship Points standings. With 18 points amassed across victories at the Americas Kickoff, Stage 1, and a runner-up finish at Masters Bangkok, G2’s spot in Paris is well earned.
A Shot at International Glory
This qualification not only brings G2 Esports one step closer to its first international VCT trophy, but also guarantees its place in the VCT International League for another year — contingent on the performance of rival team 2GAME Esports. Should 2GAME fail to reach the top two in VCT Americas Stage 2, G2 will retain its spot; otherwise, they risk relegation back to Ascension.
G2’s in-game leader, Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio, acknowledged the stakes in a candid remark: “My brothers on 2G, I’m sorry, but I’m hoping you guys lose so we can stay in Ascension or VCT next year.”
A Comeback Path Through Lower Bracket
Despite their strong form, G2 now finds itself on a lower bracket run after falling to Paper Rex in the upper bracket. Their next matchup will be against the loser of the Sentinels vs. Paper Rex game, slated for June 16.
As the road to the VALORANT Champions 2025 intensifies, G2 Esports has made a clear statement — they’re not just back, they’re better than ever.
Falcons are through to the playoffs of the FISSURE Playground 2, and the only team that can compete with them is yet to make it there. The Falcons project is working. It took time, but they are here and are now a force to be reckoned with.
FaZe did not get on the board until the first gun round as the Falcons’ offense converted a fast A-site pop. While no team managed to prolong their streak of rounds, the first half failed to separate both teams as both FaZe and Falcons walked away with four rounds each. Falcons started the second half with a streak of 3 rounds before FaZe matched that tally, and both teams kept trading rounds until the very end, where Falcons picked FaZe’s players one by one to win the map 13-11. A tight scoreline, but edged out with former FaZe star NiKo dropping 20 frags against his ex-teammates.
Map 2: Dust2; Pick: FaZe; Winner: Falcons
FaZe’s pistol round got stomped with a Falcons half buy, and all it took was a couple of good shots from NiKo and co. Falcons failed to enjoy it for long when FaZe mid to B split managed to break the Falcons’ defense and level the score 4-4. Moving forward, the Falcons secured all of the rounds and concluded the first half with an 8-4 scoreline. A Broky 3K opened up CT pistol for FaZe, but the first gun round from Falcons put them back on the board. Little by little, the Falcons managed to win all of the remaining rounds as FaZe hardly put up a fight. The dynamic duo of Kyousuke and NiKo dropped a masterclass with 19 and 16 kills respectively to put up a statement win with a 13-6 scoreline.
With a roster change all but certain for FaZe, this roster is trying to make the best of their numbered days. While they have progressed well with jcobbb, Twistzz’s arrival is what they have their eyes on, and only then will we see how the freshly minted FaZe lineup competes with the likes of G2, Falcons, and Vitality.
Having taken an unexpected loss, G2 Esports is just a win away from making it to the playoffs of FISSURE Playground 2. A statement win over LEGACY has put the team back to winning ways that too with tactical and individual dominance across two maps that will serve as a good factor moving forward in the tournament.
Starting with a 3-0 scoreline, G2 dropped the ball on the first gun round, leading to the Brazilian side pulling two rounds of their own. G2 hit the scoreboard once again in the 7th round and remained undefeated for the rest of the half, leading to a lead of a tall order for LEGACY to overcome. The second half hardly did any favors for LEGACY as G2 closed the map in no time. Despite the map being a curveball, G2 stands strong as LEGACY bombs out, having lost by a 13-2 scoreline. The brilliant team effort did not highlight any single player as the best on the server, given the even distribution of impact across the board.
Map 2: Ancient; Pick: G2; Winner: G2
G2 kept up the momentum from the previous map as their offense on Ancient looked sharp to begin with. Going 6-1 up, the LEGACY defence caught hold of the game and stopped this map from becoming another heavily one-sided affair. Despite their struggles, G2 managed to reach a comfortable scoreline of 8-4 before switching sides. The second pistol round of the map stopped G2 from going 4/4 in the pistols, but the LEGACY failed to build on it as a force buy from G2 put them back on the board. LEGACY did pull in a few rounds in between, but G2, with little effort, put the game to bed with a 13-7 scoreline. MATYS, with 16 kills, topped the charts, but every G2 player pulled their weight when called for.
After yesterday’s valiant effort against the Falcons, they are just a loss away from elimination. Having faced two of the best teams in the world, one can hardly blame them for bombing out early from the tournament.
