EA Sports has unveiled the first-ever Team of the Week (TOTW) for EA FC 26 officially, a milestone event as the much-awaited football simulation inches closer to its early access release. The news comes at the same time as the Ultimate Team Web App goes live, presenting players with their first taste of the content from the upcoming game before the September 19 early access.
The TOTW 1 squad features two of football’s most clinical strikers at the front and center. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland gets a stunning 91-rated inform card after his masterclass show in the Manchester derby, netting two goals against Manchester United. The Norwegian striker’s improved card features a rousing 87 pace, 92 shooting, and 89 physical stats, making him one of the most sought-after early-game assets.
Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane takes the second striker berth with a 90-rated card, a reward for his excellent two-goal showing against Hamburger SV. The England captain’s addition solidifies his status as one of the world’s leading forwards.
It's that time of the year: #TOTW 1 is soaring into #FC26.
The team showcases EA Sports’ support for international representation in football, featuring players from diverse leagues and countries. AC Milan’s Luka Modrić is rewarded with an 85-rated card after scoring the winner vs. Bologna, earning him an inaugural season’s best performance as the Croatian maestro. Bayern Munich’s Lena Oberdorf, on the other hand, is given an 86-rated CDM card, showcasing the ongoing dominance of women’s football in the brand.
Atlético Madrid’s polymath Marcos Llorente occupies the 86-rated slot in one of three positions where he can play right-back, right midfield, or central midfield. His multi-position nature renders him exceptionally useful for Ultimate Team squad construction.
TOTW 1’s release occurs strategically contemporaneous with the early access phase of the game, establishing short-term market forces that have long contributed to increased card values. With fewer players opening the game early, the constrained supply of TOTW cards generally means premium pricing for high-end players such as Haaland and Kane.
The timing also coincides with the web app launch of Ultimate Team, enabling hardcore players to start trading and building squads before gaining complete access to the game. This early market action tends to set pricing trends that shape the overall Ultimate Team economy during the game’s lifetime.
Since 2021, Krafton has invested more than $200 millionin India, making the country one of its biggest global priorities. Now, with a renewed pledge of $50 million annually from 2025, the company is doubling down on the region’s potential. At the heart of this journey is Minu Lee, VP and Head of the India Publishing Department at Krafton Inc.
In an in-depth conversation with TalkEsport, Minu Lee shared why India matters, how Krafton decides which games to bring here, the challenges and surprises of the market, and his vision for the future.
Interview With Minu Lee, VP and Head of India Publishing, KRAFTON India
Minu Lee, who has been closely involved in shaping Krafton’s India journey, has a front-row view of the country’s rapid transformation into a gaming powerhouse. Over the years, he has witnessed firsthand why India holds such a unique place in Krafton’s global roadmap.
Why India is The Future of Global Gaming
For Minu, the answer is clear, “India is the fastest-growing mobile-first gaming market in the world. It has a young population, affordable data, and a strong community-driven culture. Together, these factors make us confident that India is not just a kind of a regional market in the gaming industry, but it will be the future of the global gaming industry.”
This belief drives Krafton’s investments, from capital and content to nurturing startups and IPs born in India. “Starting from 2025, we have announced an annual investment of 50 million USD, which will go into the India startup ecosystem, local contents, the new IP and overall ecosystem development,” he said.
Fun, Fit, and Accessibility: Krafton’s Framework for Choosing Games for India
When asked how Krafton decides which titles from its portfolio to bring to India, Minu laid out a simple but strict framework: fun, fit, and accessibility. Talking about the first criteria, i.e. fun, he said, “The most important factor is how fun the game is. It is very important that the core gameplay itself should be very good. That’s why we are looking at the games that already make a meaningful result in the traditional gaming regions like the US, Japan or Korea.
Coming on to the next criteria, i.e. fit, he said. “We need to consider whether the game aligns well with the preference of Indian players. It includes, but is not limited to the art style, a way of monetization, and initial user journey.”
He then spoke about the final criteria, “Accessibility is critical. Many players in India still use low-spec devices and sometimes face network limitations. So, the game must be very well optimized and easy to enjoy even in those kinds of difficult conditions.”
Cookie Run India: Global Originality with Local Flavor
One of Krafton’s most ambitious localization efforts is Cookie Run India, which features Hindi voice acting, Indian festivals, and culturally resonant characters. “We want Indian players to feel familiar and comfortable when they play our games, and we also want to make them feel a cultural connection in our game. Local Indian elements could be a very good way to achieve this. But, you know, this Indian element should blend naturally without harming the original work,” Minu said. To achieve that, Krafton worked closely with Cookie Run’s developer, DevSisters, even inviting the CEO and original designer to India for a week-long immersion.
Together, they explored local culture and created characters like Gulab Jamun and Kaju Katli for the game. “These additions fit seamlessly into the game,” he explained.
Surprises In the Indian Market
India, Minu admitted, has constantly surprised him. The rapid growth of tier-2 and tier-3 city gamers, the youthful passion for esports, and the social way games are consumed all stood out. “The most important part is the rapid growth and the young and passionate users and the way they consume games. All are quite surprising for me,” he said. “The Indian gaming industry has been expanding significantly year after year. In particular, we are observing huge growth of gamers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. It is truly remarkable. I think this is clear evidence of the strong potential of the Indian gaming industry.”
“Another important thing is young and passionate users. When you attend a BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) Esports event in person, you will feel the strong and interesting passion of users. It gave us a feeling that it’s not just a game, it’s more than just a game,” Minu added.
Minu further explained how the consumption behavior of Indian gamers is different from Korean gamers. “The way they consume games is totally interesting. Usually in Korea, people play the BGMI to win. But here in India, of course they want to win the game, but they focus more on relaxing and having a conversation with their friends. They consume the game as a kind of social media. That was quite an interesting part for me”, he said.
Challenges Unique to India
Despite the potential, India comes with its own hurdles. When asked about challenges faced in the Indian industry, Minu was quick to highlight the infrastructure-related challenges. “Because BGMI is developed on Unreal Engine, it requires high-spec devices. But many young gamers in India still use low-end phones, as parents don’t buy premium devices for them. This makes smooth gameplay difficult. In addition, the network infrastructure isn’t yet fully prepared to handle growing demand, which creates obstacles in delivering an optimal gaming experience,” Minu explained.
Managing Krafton’s Diverse Portfolio
Krafton today manages a diverse mix of genres in India; battle royale with BGMI, casual with Cookie Run India, and strategy with Road to Valor: Empires. But rather than seeing overlap, Minu sees opportunity. “Each title targets a different audience and has its own objectives. They complement each other, and managing multiple genres actually gives us more insight into Indian players. Our goal is not just to be the publisher of BGMI, but to become a leading gaming company in India. Releasing a wide variety of games is critical for that, and we’ll continue to introduce more going forward.”
What’s Next for Indian Players
Without revealing too much, Minu hinted at what’s to come. “We’re focusing on genres that strengthen social play and community experience. Games will be fun, fit, and accessible, with multiplayer at the core.”
Supporting Local Developers Through KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI)
Krafton is also investing in the Krafton Gaming Incubator (KIGI), aimed at nurturing Indian talent. “Indian developers can bring unique cultural perspectives and fresh ideas. Our vision is to develop great games in India and export them to the world. That’s why I look forward to excellent games emerging from KIGI and publishing them under the Krafton name.”
The Power of Community Feedback
The Indian community is famously vocal, and Krafton sees that as an advantage. “Feedback from the Indian gamers can sometimes be very harsh. But if you read and listen carefully about the feedback from the Indian viewers, I can easily realize that the feedback mainly came from affection and passion. If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t complain. That’s why we monitor feedback closely and incorporate it as much as possible. In fact, the gaming community is our true core development partner.”
Minu also shed light on how Krafton is leveraging feedback to improve the game and user experience. “For BGMI, for every update, we run a massive scale of user surveys and more than 200,000 users reply to that survey. We can learn many things from those kinds of surveys. Along with this, we are also focus groups trying to host focus group interviews to understand the more underlying demands or needs or difficulty users are facing.”
Krafton’s Goals For 2026 And Beyond
Looking ahead, Minu’s vision is for Krafton to be recognized not just as a publisher, but as a partner in India’s gaming ecosystem. “Sustaining BGMI’s growth is important, but another key goal is to work with local developers to create globally successful games from India. I recently set up a team for this initiative, and we’ve already started investing in it.”
Minu’s Advice for aspiring publishers in India
For aspiring game publishers, Minu emphasized that succeeding in India requires far more than just following global playbooks. “It’s very important to truly understand the market and the users. India is not a single, uniform market. Each region and state has its own unique preferences. If you approach India as one homogeneous market, it’s very difficult to succeed. I often explain to my team in Korea and HQ that they should think of India like Europe. Just as each European country has its own tastes and culture.”
Understanding India’s young and passionate users is equally vital. “They see games as social media. Publishers need to create opportunities to meet players directly, listen to their needs, and understand their pain points.”
Flexibility, he stressed, is another cornerstone. “India is one of the fastest growing markets, and everything here changes at a rapid pace. Regulations, payment systems, platform environments, even art and genre preferences evolve quickly. For example, Indian players previously preferred realistic art styles, but now they are embracing anime-style characters. If an organization just sticks to previous experience, it will struggle to succeed. Agility and adaptability are essential.”
Finally, Minu underscored the importance of building strong networks. “It is extremely difficult for a publisher to succeed in India alone. You need to collaborate with key partners like platform providers, payment solution companies, and adjacent industries. Building a strong business development team, forging partnerships, and nurturing those relationships is one of the key success factors for publishing in India.”
Minu Lee’s words reveal the scale of Krafton’s ambition in India: an investment-driven, community-focused, and deeply localized approach that sees India not just as a market, but as the future of global gaming.
Credible sources now suggest Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 may launch on November 14, 2025, which would make it the latest fall release in franchise history, edging just past Black Ops: Cold War’s launch. It’s not set in stone, but the timing aligns neatly with Microsoft’s packed October calendar and leaves November wide open for the next Black Ops to take center stage. That means fans can anticipate the worldwide reveal live at Gamescom on August 19, where details about maps, gameplay features, and the official trailer will finally emerge.
How Black Ops 7 Could Shape the Call of Duty League
The timing here isn’t lost on competitive fans. If Black Ops 7 drops mid-November, the Call of Duty League (CDL) could capitalize by syncing its kickoff event with the initial hype, perhaps as early as December. In the past, seasons that started as late as March failed to capture the momentum. Last year’s December kickoff had better results, and a November release could keep that momentum rolling.
Black Ops 7: No Jetpacks, Wall Running, But “Evolution of Omnimovement”
Now let’s talk gameplay innovation. Rumors about jetpacks or wall-running coming back? Not happening. Activision has stated outright: Black Ops 7 will introduce neither jetpacks nor wall-running. Instead, it will debut what they call an evolution of omnimovement, a nod to movement mechanics that add depth and skill, but with feet firmly on the ground. For context, the game is set 30 years before Black Ops 3, so sci-fi movement is a no-go.
Why This Movement Matters
In past releases, major updates to player movement have shifted skill gaps and upended the power rankings in the CDL. Aggressive SMG players like aBeZy, Shotzzy, and Simp often thrive when the pace is faster or skill expression is higher. If the new omnimovement system lands somewhere between the older boots-on-the-ground gameplay and the fluidity fans crave, expect new meta shakeups.
What to Watch for at the Black Ops 7 Reveal
Here’s what players and fans should watch for during the official reveal on August 19:
Gameplay footage with first looks at the evolution of omnimovement
In-depth breakdown of campaign storyline
Multiplayer and CDL-specific features
Cutscenes or mechanics that tie into classic Black Ops story arcs
Just days before the start of the Esports World Cup’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (BO6) event in Riyadh, tournament organizers dropped a bombshell. For the first time in Call of Duty history, coaches will be allowed on-stage voice communication with their teams during live matches, a move that’s splitting the pro scene and sending analysts scrambling to re-evaluate favorites.
What’s the New Coaching Rule?
Coaches can join live comms during Hardpoint and Control.
For Search & Destroy, coaches can interact with teams between rounds.
Never before have Call of Duty pros competed with their coach’s voice guiding them during play. Traditionally, success has hinged on in-game leaders and players’ split-second decisions. This shift adds a new tactical variable that teams have only days to absorb.
Why Are Pros and Coaches Divided?
Octane, world champion and respected commentator, made his view clear: letting coaches call shots during matches blurs what separates elite players—reacting under pressure. He warned that this might undermine top-tier competition and urged the Call of Duty League (CDL) not to make this standard practice.
But not everyone agrees. JKap, former world champ and coach, and others see this as a way for strategy-minded teams to thrive. “It makes coaches more impactful,” JKap noted, emphasizing the potential for better structure and in-game adaptability.
Parasite, another former pro, argued the change could raise the overall level of play and make matches more entertaining, as teams with strong coaching could address chemistry gaps and make better mid-game adjustments.
Which Teams Stand to Gain?
Let’s break it down:
Veteran squads with experienced coaches—like Atlanta FaZe, LA Thieves, and OpTic Texas—are projected to benefit most. Their coaches are ex-pros, familiar with every nuance, and often have longstanding chemistry with their teams.
Newer rosters or less cohesive squads could mask communication issues or inexperience, gaining extra direction from sideline experts.
Still, tournament favorites remain largely unchanged: FaZe, LAT, and OpTic stay on top of most analysts’ lists, though the coaching twist could help dark horses like Vancouver Surge mount a surprise run.
What Does This Mean for Competitive Call of Duty?
Strategic ceiling gets a boost: Coaches can dissect opponents in real time and guide their sides through complex rotations or recoveries.
Pressure on IGLs (in-game leaders): With coaches in comms, in-game leadership dynamics may shift or playmakers’ instincts could be muted.
Entertainment factor: More tactical diversity may lead to closer, more unpredictable matches.
A last-minute rule change is throwing every team, coach, and analyst into uncharted territory. With $1.8 million up for grabs and the world’s top teams competing, this Esports World Cup is already one for the history books—no matter who takes home the trophy
In a game-changing move for India’s mobile gaming community, Jio, India’s digital lifeline, in partnership with KRAFTON India, the publisher of India’s most loved battle royale game – BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), has launched India’s first-ever gaming pack. This is the first time any operator is offering a gaming-specific plan — and it’s only fitting that it begins with the country’s most iconic gaming title.
This collaboration brings together industry leaders with a shared vision: to empower India’s rapidly growing gaming community – a surge fuelled by widespread internet accessibility across the nation.
Priced at just INR 495/month, the Jio Gaming Pack offers exceptional value to Jio users by combining ultra-fast 5G connectivity on India’s most advanced 5G network, and exclusive in-game rewards for BGMI players — all in a single, seamless recharge.
Seddharth Merrotra, Head – Business Development and Partnerships, KRAFTON India, added, At KRAFTON, our mission has always been to elevate and democratize gaming experiences for Indian players. With over 200 million downloads and one of the most passionate communities in the country, BGMI has become more than just a game, it’s a cultural phenomenon.”
Delighted to collaborate with Jio, he further added, “Our partnership with Jio is a strategic step towards unlocking the next generation of gamers of our country where mobile-first gaming is booming. Jio’s unmatched digital infrastructure combined with our immersive game content creates a powerful ecosystem where access, performance, and experience go hand in hand. Together, we’re not just enabling gameplay, we’re building the future of gaming in India.”
A Jio spokesperson said: “Gaming is an integral part of India’s digital lifestyle, and Jio is committed to enhancing that experience. With this gaming pack, we are not just providing connectivity; we are delivering real value by offering 5G connectivity, Cloud Gaming Subscription, and Exclusive in-game rewards with a single recharge. This partnership with BGMI sets a new benchmark in the industry.”
Unlocking the Power of the Jio Gaming Pack – Empowering Gamers with Seamless Connectivity and Exclusive Rewards
With the new Jio Gaming Pack, users receive:
Special coupons to claim premium skins like the Bard’s Journey Set, Desert Taskforce Mask, and Tap Boom Molotov Cocktail of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) as in-game rewards with every recharge
JioGames Subscription enabling gameplay across 500+ premium cloud-based game titles
With Cloud Gaming, there is no console or download required – stream instantly anytime-anywhere on devices like Smartphones, Jio Set-Top Box, Web Browsers, and Android TVs
How to redeem and activate your in-game rewards
Step 1: Recharge with the Jio Gaming Pack. You’ll receive a confirmation SMS
Step 3: Redeem codes on BGMI’s official redemption site, https://www.battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem ( → Enter Your Character ID, Redemption Code & verify CAPTCHA → press “Confirm” button). You will receive a message: “Code has been redeemed” on successful redemption
Start playing – cloud gaming access is pre-activated
Availability of the Pack
The Jio Gaming Pack is now available for recharge across platforms. Gamers can enjoy seamless access to premium cloud games while unlocking exclusive benefits through MyJio app or by visiting www.jio.com.
Jio continues to redefine connectivity and the future of digital entertainment, putting power, performance, and play in the hands of every Indian gamer.
In a significant move set to reshape India’s gaming landscape, Meta has unveiled the Meta Gaming Accelerator, a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering small and medium-sized gaming studios across the country. The program, launched during the Meta Marketing Summit – Gaming Edition, is strategically crafted to support emerging Indian developers with the tools, funding, and mentorship required to scale their creations globally.
India’s gaming industry has rapidly evolved into one of the most vibrant ecosystems globally, driven by mobile-first adoption, a burgeoning creator economy, and increasing integration of artificial intelligence in game design. Recognizing this momentum, Meta has partnered with four leading venture capital firms – Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital—to roll out the accelerator.
The first cohort of the program will include 20 to 30 promising game developers. Participants will undergo a structured curriculum focused on monetization strategies, user acquisition, cross-border market scaling, and AI-driven development. A unique highlight of the initiative is the integration of Meta’s proprietary AI models, including Llama, into game storytelling and optimization.
“India’s developer community is brimming with talent. Our goal is to turn that talent into globally successful gaming enterprises,” said Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head of Meta India. He emphasized the need for connecting creators to opportunities through access to Meta’s advertising infrastructure and strategic industry guidance.
The program will culminate in a Demo Day, where selected developers will present their innovations to investors, Meta executives, and key stakeholders. The most promising participants stand a chance to receive platform-level promotion and potential investment support to further their business growth.
This accelerator is more than just a developmental platform—it’s a launchpad that underscores Meta’s long-term commitment to nurturing India’s digital economy and turning gaming into a central pillar of global digital innovation.
PC gamers enjoying Schedule 1, the hit drug kingpin simulator of 2025, are being urged to uninstall two popular mods after experts confirmed they contain serious malware. The affected mods, Increased Stack Size Limit and Backpack Mod Reuploaded, were available on a major modding website before being taken down on April 11. Anyone who downloaded these mods after 10:29 PM IST on April 11 could be at risk of having their credentials stolen, their system accessed without permission, and their personal data breached.
The malware was hidden in a recent update to the Increased Stack Size Limit mod. It ran secret scripts in the background, making it almost impossible for users to detect. Security researchers found that the malware could steal login details for services like Steam, Discord, and even online banking. The mods were quickly removed from the site, but this incident highlights the growing danger of malware targeting gaming communities.
Schedule 1 has quickly become one of the most popular games of the year, attracting a large modding community. Its open design encourages players to create mods that change inventory systems and add new features. Unfortunately, this popularity has also made it a target for hackers. Similar attacks have been seen in other games this year, where malware was spread through mods and updates.
Players are strongly advised to:
Uninstall the compromised mods immediately.
Run a full antivirus scan with the latest updates.
Change passwords for all accounts accessed on their PC, using a secure device if possible.
This situation is similar to past security issues in other games, where hackers used mods and updates to spread malware. In this case, the attack came from a mod update rather than an in-game exploit.
Until further security measures are announced, players should only download mods from trusted sources, avoid outdated or reuploaded files, and stay informed through community channels. With malware threats on the rise in PC gaming, staying alert is the best way to protect your accounts and your computer.
BGMI 4.0 has landed, and the Dive Master achievement in Stepwell is your next shot at glory
To unlock the Dive Master achievement, all you need to do is take five fearless leaps into the Stepwell’s water zone, all within a single Classic match. Sounds easy? Not quite. First, you’ll need to track down the Stepwell, which only shows up on select maps and is marked with a special landmark icon. Look out for a deep vertical shaft, winding spiral stairs, and a glimmering pool at the bottom, that’s your arena. Once you’re there, it’s all about perfect timing, safe landings, and five solid dives to claim the title.
Here’s How to Complete the Dive Master Achievement
Drop near a Stepwell: Look for the Stepwell structure on the map during flight path planning.
Reach the top ledge: Use stairs or climbable areas around the well to get to a diving point.
Jump into the water: Make sure you land in the water to trigger the dive count.
Repeat five times in one match: You must do all five dives in a single Classic game. Elimination or match exit will reset progress.
Pro Tips:
It’s safer to land early and claim the Stepwell before other squads arrive.
Use smoke or eliminate enemies nearby to avoid interruptions mid-dive.
Equip lightweight gear, you don’t need heavy loot for this one.
Completing the Dive Master challenge doesn’t just earn you achievement points — it also pushes you closer to key event milestones in the 4.0 update.
It’s one of several new missions shaking up gameplay, alongside standout features like Ghost Mode and the Diwali-themed events, all designed to keep every match fresh and unpredictable.
The Dive Master challenge is one of several new in-match missions KRAFTON has introduced to test your movement and exploration skills.
So, dive in, literally, and show off your air-time finesse in BGMI 4.0! Jump into a Classic match and earn your Dive Master bragging rights now!
Valorant’s Season 2025 Act 3 is set to launch in early June 2025, continuing Riot Games’ revamped seasonal structure. This update brings significant map pool changes, cosmetic additions, and gameplay adjustments, aligning with the developer’s focus on strategic diversity and competitive freshness.
Map Rotation Shakes Up Meta
The competitive map pool sees Fracture removed and Sunset reintroduced, marking the first major rotation since Act 2. Fracture’s exit follows mixed community feedback, with players praising its unique dual-site design but criticizing post-plant stalemates. Sunset returns after a two-act hiatus, now optimized for the latest agent meta, including Tejo’s area-control abilities. Bind remains in rotation, retaining its position as a fan-favorite for its teleporter-driven gameplay. The changes aim to balance tactical depth and viewer engagement, particularly for upcoming events like Masters Toronto.
New Battle Pass and Cosmetics
Act 3’s Battle Pass features the Bite Shift skin line, offering sleek, modular designs for the Vandal, Sheriff, and Operator, alongside a butterfly knife variant with dynamic inspect animations. A free track includes the “Serpent’s Strike” player card and “Golden Fang” gun buddy, while premium tiers unlock animated sprays like “Dragon’s Breath” and the Tacti-Bear Flex cosmetic.
Agent Updates and Balance Changes
While no new agent launches in Act 3, Riot plans adjustments to underperforming characters. Deadlock receives buffs to her Sonic Sensor range, and Harbor’s Cascade ability now deploys faster to enhance site-execute flexibility. These tweaks follow player feedback from recent tournaments, where initiators like Tejo dominated pick rates.
Ranked and Premier Updates
The ranked reset at Act 3’s launch incorporates a Rank Shield system, preventing demotions between major tiers (e.g., Platinum 1 to Gold 3) to reduce ladder anxiety. Premier mode introduces a revamped overtime system for tied matches, alongside updated leaderboards tracking regional standings.
Community Reactions
Discussions highlight polarized opinions on Fracture’s removal, with some praising its strategic uniqueness and others welcoming Sunset’s return for its mid-range duels. Pro teams like Paper Rex face adaptation challenges, having relied on Fracture as a staple map.
Valorant Season 2025 Act 3 launches June 3–4, 2025. Players can pre-load the update 24 hours prior, with server maintenance expected to last four hours.
Following months of constant requests from the community, Riot Games has finally delivered, and the highly anticipated Valorant replay system has officially arrived with the game’s 11.06 update.
The long-awaited Valorant replay system gives players the ability to revisit their matches and watch replays across multiple game modes, whether it’s for deeper analysis, creating highlights, or watching a match from the enemy’s perspective. However, the system isn’t without its limitations.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how to watch replays in Valorant with this newly-added feature.
How To Watch Replays in Valorant?
Watching match recaps in Valorant with the new replay system is fairly straightforward and intuitive.
First, you have to head over to your career page and go to your match history. From there, locate the specific match you want to review, and with just a click, you’ll be able to download the full match replay.
Wait for the download to finish, and you’ll be able to jump into the match VOD right away!
At the time of its release, the Valorant replay system will have certain limitations associated with it that Riot Games has already acknowledged.
For starters, players will only be able to watch replays from the following game modes:
Unrated
Competitive
Swiftplay
Premier
Most importantly, you won’t be able to download or watch replays of other players. This means you still can’t view your favorite pros’ matches from the game client or experience VCT and Valorant esports in general from a specific player’s perspective.
Lastly, players will only be able to download replays from the patch that is currently live. For instance, if you played a match on patch 11.06, you won’t be able to download or watch its replay once patch 11.07 is released. As soon as a new update goes live, all replays from the previous patch become inaccessible.
Valorant Replay System Release Date
As confirmed by Riot, the Valorant replay system will be available in-game for players to use starting September 16, 2025, with the 11.06 update.
