HYPERMYST, a well-known data miner and leaker has revealed the skins that are coming with Apex Legend Season 22 which is just a day away. The new season brings a plethora of challenges along with rewards. Skins being the most lucrative of all the rewards are what everyone has their eyes on.
Hunter’s Best Friend P2020 Reactive Legendary skin
Heat of the Night Spitfire Epic skin
Wave Raver Volt Epic skin
The Equalizer Mastiff Epic skin
Shattered Pixels Wingman Epic skin
Night Glider Alternator Epic skin
Neon Sky Triple Take Epic skin
Personal Touch Flatline Epic skin
Acid Rain EVA- 8 Epic Skin
Bangalore Heirloom recolor event
One of the highly anticipated events from the upcoming season and is bound to have some good skins as a part of the rewards. Nothing besides the name of the event has been revealed except for the fact that it will arrive at some point in the next season.
During a match against B8 Esports, Swedish pro Joel “joel” Holmlund was banned by Akros Anti-Cheat software, one of the best-known anti-cheats available for CS2.
The Anti-Cheat developers have confirmed that this isn’t a case of false positive which has led to B8 Esports getting disqualified from the tournament and other organisers have followed suit. Having faced a match-fixing ban almost a year ago, Joel was on the path of resurging his career with B8 when this happened.
His recent surge in performance led him to B8, a team coached by Counter-Strike legend guardiaN who claimed that no one on the team had any idea about Joel cheating on official matches. The allegations triggered an internal investigation within the ranks of B8 but the nature of his cheats remains unclear.
Former Godsent player RuStY raised cheating allegations against Joel when they were competing under the same banner but to no end. Being a player from Tier 2, he had little to no spotlight on him which is why he may have eluded the eyes of other players but getting caught in a tournament has pushed him to the limelight.
After every investigation concludes, Joel is likely to receive a long ban from competitive Counter-Strike and it is unlikely that any organisation would associate themselves with him after his suspension runs out.
After the resounding success of College Rivals Season 1, anticipation for the sequel has reached a fever pitch. With significant footfall and widespread enthusiasm, the inaugural season set a high bar. To delve into how College Rivals plans to surpass its own success, we sat down with Ashwin Haryani, Country Head of Ampverse DMI, India, to get an insider’s look at what’s in store for Season 2.
Expanding the Footprint with College Rivals Season 2
Kicking off on July 15, College Rivals Season 2 promises an expanded and more immersive experience. “This year, we’re going deeper into India, visiting 60 colleges across 22 cities with our signature College Rivals Gaming Truck,” Haryani shared. The season also features a new team in partnership with Orangutan, called Rivals Ape X. With one of Season 1’s finalists, Sahil Nagpal, making his professional debut, there’s a strong lure for aspiring esports talents. Furthermore, the event is expected to improve its lifestyle segments, including music, streetwear, and many others, to ensure that GenZ has an entertaining experience.
Learning and Adapting from Season 1
Reflecting on the learnings from Season 1, Haryani emphasized a few strategic changes. “Season 1 was a big success, but it had many learnings. We spent the last three months analyzing and strategizing for College Rivals Season 2,” he explained. Among the key adjustments are a focus on the top three games across all platforms, an optimized truck route to cover more colleges, and a mix of online and offline esports qualifiers. These changes are aimed at streamlining the event and maximizing participation and engagement.
Exciting New Features and Initiatives with College Rivals Season 2
The audience and the participants can expect a lot of new features and activities in the second season. Some of the benefits include exclusive merchandise and collectibles, an opportunity to be among the student ambassadors, more elaborate on-ground promotions, and games. “We are also hosting social media contests throughout the season, offering fun engagement and rewards,” Haryani noted. These additions ensure a dynamic and engaging experience for everyone involved, reinforcing the season’s theme of ‘Rivalry Reloaded.’
Beyond Esports: Embracing Music, Pop Culture, and Comedy in College Rivals Season 2
College Rivals is more than just an esports event. From the outset, it was envisioned as a multifaceted entertainment platform for GenZ, incorporating music, pop culture, and streetwear. “In College Rivals Season 2, we’re amplifying these efforts by bringing in more lifestyle creators and launching our own streetwear merchandise,” Haryani revealed. The goal is to create a holistic entertainment experience that resonates with a broader audience.
The Show-Stopping Gaming Truck
One of the standout features of College Rivals is its Gaming Truck—a unique, mobile gaming arena. “The Gaming Truck was once just a crazy idea on paper, and we are thrilled to have executed it successfully,” Haryani said. Fitted with high-end gaming PCs and PlayStations, real-time CCTV monitoring, and live GPS systems, the truck offers a state-of-the-art gaming experience on wheels, making it a centerpiece of the college activations.
Selecting and Empowering College Ambassadors
The selection of college ambassadors plays a crucial role in the campaign. Students are shortlisted based on their application responses, showcasing both interests and skill sets. “Selected applicants are scored on their interview performance and chosen for a year-long program, with their performance judged based on specific milestones,” Haryani explained. These ambassadors are pivotal in driving engagement and participation across campuses.
Streamlining Game Titles for Optimal Participation
For College Rivals Season 2, the decision to feature BGMI, Valorant, and EA FC 24 as the primary gaming titles was data-driven. “These three games attracted the most participation last year,” Haryani stated. Focusing on fewer games allows for better management and optimized prize distribution, ensuring a competitive and rewarding experience for the participants.
Engaging More Colleges in College Rivals Season 2
Colleges interested in hosting on-ground competitions can get involved by reaching out via email or through College Ambassadors. “We try to accommodate as many colleges as possible, though visits with the Gaming Truck are limited by distance and time,” Haryani noted. This inclusive approach aims to broaden the event’s reach and impact.
Expectations for College Rivals Season 2
Looking ahead, Haryani shared ambitious expectations for viewer engagement and participation. “We garnered over 100 million views across our livestreams and social media for Season 1, with over 92,000 students registering for the Esports Talent Hunt. This season, we aim to grow these numbers exponentially, expecting 200,000+ participants and hoping to garner 125 million views,” he revealed.
A Vision for the Future
As for the long-term vision, Haryani sees College Rivals evolving into a major entertainment and engagement platform for GenZ. “College Rivals has the potential to be the most impressive College IP in today’s time. We see it evolving into other genres of entertainment and becoming an aspirational platform for every college student,” he concluded. With a clear strategy and an exciting lineup, College Rivals Season 2 is set to take the esports and entertainment experience to unprecedented heights.
Indonesia will be the hosting country for Honor of Kings Championship 2024 which is the most prestigious event in this esports calendar. This signifies that Indonesia is now a significant player in the global eSports scene as it’s the first Southeast Asian (SEA) country to host such a big tournament.
Participating Teams:
Sixteen top teams globally will compete for the coveted title during this championship.
Teams from various regions such as Indonesian, Filipino,Malaysian, Burmese, Turkey, Brazilian, Middle Eastern and North African, American European and Pacific will participate.
The prize pool for Honor of Kings Championship 2024 will be $1 million.
By choosing Indonesia to host such an important tournament shows that the country has already made its place in esports community. The nation has organized several international esports events like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M4 World Championship and Dota 2’s Bali Major among others making it one of those well-known within this industry.
Event Timeline
World champions are going to be crowned by The Honor of Kings Championship 2024 come October 2024. Such a timeline guarantees very thrilling preparations among teams aspiring to play at topmost level of honor of kings in eSports.
With the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 3 League Week behind us, the focus now shifts to BGMS Season 3 Playoffs. The Playoffs scheduled for 6th and 7th August is a critical stage of the tournament, as the 16 participating teams will battle for the last 12 spots in the Grand Finals. Here is the list of the teams that will be competing in the BGMS Season 3 Playoffs.
Overview of BGMS Season 3 Playoffs
The Playoffs will take place over two days, 6th and 7th August, where teams will play a total of 6 matches; three per day. Following the conclusion of all matches, the top 12 teams will advance to the Grand Finals, whereas the bottom four teams will have to say good bye to BGMS Season 3 and their chances of winning the tournament.
The 16 Teams Competing in the BGMS Season 3 Playoffs
Here’s a look at the 16 teams that have made it through the League Week and will compete in the Playoffs:
Raven Esports
Team Tamilas
Vasista Esports
Orangutan Gaming
Revenant Esports
Team Forever
iQOO SouL
Entity
Carnival Gaming
HeroXTRGodLike
ONEBLADE
MOGO Esports
Team Zero
Team X Spark
WSB Gaming
8bit
All these teams have shown great fighting spirit and ability throughout the League Week. As the teams are well-versed with the competition, the six matches are going to be intense. It will be interesting to see which teams make spots for themselves.
Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 3 League Week has come to an end and four teams have secured a spot for themselves in the much-awaited BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals. This has been a very stiff competition whereby teams have had to go through several stages to make a place for themselves in the Grand Final. Now, let’s take a closer look at the teams that have secured a spot in the BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals and what is awaiting the rest of the teams.
Qualified Teams for BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals after League Week
The League Week provided a thrilling spectacle, and the top 4 teams from this stage have secured their places in the BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals. These teams have shown exceptional skill and strategy, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the championship. Here are the teams that have qualified:
The League Week, which lasted for two weeks, was quite entertaining and the 4 teams that emerged from this round are the teams that have secured a slot for themselves in BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals. Here are the teams that have qualified for the Grand Finals from the League Stage:
Reckoning Esports
Global Esports
Gods Reign
Carpediem
These teams will now prepare to face off against the best from the Playoffs to determine who will emerge as the ultimate champion of BGMS Season 3.
The Road Ahead
The top four teams have already qualified for the Grand Finals, and the remaining 16 teams will play in the Playoffs to determine the remaining 12 teams. The Playoffs will be held on August 6th – 7th, 2024, and this will be the final stage where four teams will have to say good bye to BGMS Season 3.
Playoffs Overview:
Date: 6th – 7th August, 2024
Teams: 16 from League Week
Matches: 6 (3 each day)
Objective: Top 12 teams advance to the Grand Finals
BGMS Season 3 Grand Finals is set to be an exciting climax to what has been an incredible event so far. Fans and the participants are eagerly waiting to see which teams makes a spot for themselves the Grand Finals, and more importantly which teams lift the trophy.
With the official release of Valorant console on August 2, 2024, Riot Games has made their flagship competitive shooter available to console players worldwide.
The global release of Valorant on consoles marks the end of a brief beta phase that lasted just under two months. The end of the Valorant beta also brought with it a hard reset to the existing player ranks, which means beta players will have to grind back from scratch once again after the game’s official launch.
If you’re looking to climb the competitive ladder of Valorant console, you must get your in-game settings right to get the maximum competitive advantage over your enemies.
Although there are several things you can do to gain an edge over your opponents in virtual battlefields, optimizing your minimap settings is perhaps the most crucial step to take from the start.
Best Minimap Settings for Valorant Console
Below, we’ve included the best minimap settings that you can adopt for your Valorant console:
Rotate Map With Player: Off*
Keep Player Centered: Off
Show Map Region Names: Always
Minimap Size: 1.2
Minimap Zoom: 0.9
Note: The ‘Rotate Map With Player’ setting can sometimes be up to personal preference, with many players claiming that setting this to ‘on’ can help you shoot better through smokes.
If you copy these settings, you’ll be able to get a much clearer view of the map at all times when compared to the default Valorant minimap.
It will also make spotting enemies much easier, even from across the map, and give you a better sense of when to rotate.
So what are you waiting for? Boot up your console and hop on Valorant to test out these settings right away!
Playing Call of Duty: Mobile on a PC can greatly improve your gaming experience by giving you better controls, higher frame rates and the ability to use external controllers. Below is an extensive guide on how to get started.
How to play Call of Duty Mobile On Windows PC
In order to play Call of Duty: Mobile game in your computer, you need an android emulator. Emulators enable mobile applications to run on a computer thereby offering seamless gaming experience and advantages like larger screens, more precise commands e.t.c which are absent in phones.
GameLoop: Official Emulator
The official way to play Call of Duty: Mobile on your PC is through GameLoop. This emulator has been specifically optimized for Call of Duty: Mobile which ensures smooth running and compatibility with latest updates. Apart from that, it also allows live streaming on platforms like Nimo and nonolive hence helping the gamers share their gameplay with a wider audience.
BlueStacks: Alternative Emulator
Another popular emulator for playing Call of Duty: Mobile on PC is BlueStacks. It contains various features designed to enhance your playing. BlueStacks supports macros that allow automation of repetitive tasks while multi-instance support enables simultaneous playing of multiple games or using different accounts within one game.
Special Gaming Features
Customizable Controls
Both GameLoop and BlueStacks provide customizability options for users allowing them tailor their gaming experiences as they wish. This function is especially important for such first person shooters as Call of duty where exact controls matter a lot.
Higher Frame Rates
Also, emulators have higher frame rates over mobile devices making the gameplay smoother as well as giving you an advantage in fast-action games.
External Controller Support
Additionally, both emulators support external controllers thus enabling those who love using gamepads enjoy comfortable and familiar gaming experiences particularly if they are used to console gaming.
Extra Features
BlueStacks has a variety of other features such as gameplay recording that permits you to capture and share your top moments and real-time translation which allows for easy playing in various languages. With access to over 1.5 million games, BlueStacks offers you the most versatile platform for all your gaming needs.
Security and Fair Play
Both GameLoop and BlueStacks have measures put in place to prevent cheating and hacking thereby maintaining a level playing field for everyone.
Playing Call of Duty: Mobile on PC using an emulator like GameLoop or BlueStacks can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Features such as customizable controls, higher frame rates, and external controller support make it possible for players to immerse themselves into the game more competitively. Whether you choose the official GameLoop emulator or the feature-rich BlueStacks, you’re set for an exciting gaming journey on your PC.
By following this guide, setup is simple so you can start playing Call of Duty: Mobile on your personal computer with all the enhanced features and improved performance these emulators provide.
T1’s Challenging Year: T1 faced numerous challenges in 2024, including continuous DDoS attacks, yet triumphed at the Esports World Cup and Worlds 2023.
Struggles in LCK: Despite past successes, T1’s recent performance in the LCK has been inconsistent, currently ranking fourth in the Group Stage standings for the Summer 2024 season.
Emotional Impact on Faker: After a tough loss to Gen.G, a video of Faker’s emotional breakdown went viral, leading to widespread support from fans and highlighting the immense pressure he faces.
Mental and Physical Strains: Faker’s extraordinary career comes with significant mental and physical challenges, including ongoing wrist pain and the constant need to perform at the highest level.
Need for Mental Health Support: Faker’s recent breakdown underscores the importance of improved mental health support within the esports industry, as fans and teammates hope for his well-being and continued success.
T1 has had a turbulent year in 2024, with its fair share of ups and downs. The team encountered many hurdles including continuous DDoS attacks. Still, they triumphed at the Esports World Cup and won Worlds 2023. However, their recent performance in the LCK has been patchy, as it is currently fourth on the Group Stage standings for the Summer 2024 season.
T1’s game against Gen.G was particularly grueling. Initially they were in a commanding position but Gen.G turned things around to snatch victory from behind. This defeat was especially hard for Faker after playing extremely well in the first match. He went on to angrily bang his head repeatedly against a wall before being held back by his fellow teammate Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong.
A video of Faker’s breakdown spread like wildfire on social media, attracting an outpouring of support from fans. Almost immediately, #We_Stand_For_Faker started trending as users expressed concern about giving him a rest amongst other things related to T1 management. Many followers have acknowledged how much strain and anxiety there can be when you’re at the top level of esports – especially when you are someone like Faker who everyone knows.
Faker has had an extraordinary career. Having won three world championships and several other awards he is widely regarded as one of the best esport players ever played this game. Nevertheless, this achievement come with some challenges too. It is difficult both mentally and physically because it means that he constantly needs to be perfect along with such physical ailments as ongoing wrist pain which continues to burden him.
Faker’s recent crumble serves as a stark reminder of the stresses faced by professional gamers today. Though his love for gaming remains intact; this occurrence highlights mental health support that needs to be improved within the esports industry. As T1 goes on with its journey in the LCK, fans and teammates are hopeful that Faker can strike a balance and get enough support for his bright future ahead of him.
G2 has demolished an in-form NiP to reach the finals of BLAST Premier Fall Groups after the latter breezed past FaZe Clan in the earlier round of the tournament.
G2 started strong with a pistol round victory and quickly rushed to a 7-1 lead. NiP failed to show anything promising on their offense as G2 built on their lead as much as they could as NiP managed 4 rounds before moving to the second half of the map.
G2 doubled down on their lead as they reached the map point upon which they managed to hold off for 3 more rounds before closing the map with a 13-7 scoreline. m0NESY leads the lines with 24 kills and a 1.80 rating.
Map 2: Inferno; Pick – G2; Winner – G2
G2 on the offense started with a bang but had a tough exchange of a few rounds that closed the first half with a leveled scoreline. It is a less impressive showing from G2 but enough to take to their defense.
Starting on the CT side, they kicked off strong as NiP wasn’t given any room to begin with, and G2 had both sites on complete lockdown. NiP only managed to get a single bomb plant and only two rounds on the T side as G2 wasted no time to close the map.
