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Maharashtra Cyber Cracks Down on Payal Gaming Deepfake Uploaders | Notices Issued

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Maharashtra Cyber has taken firm action in the Payal Gaming deepfake case, providing a major update in the ongoing investigation related to the false viral content that was earlier linked to popular Indian gaming creator Payal Dhare, also known as Payal Gaming.

The cybercrime department confirmed that it has successfully detected and acted against those responsible for circulating the objectionable deepfake content online.

Uploaders Apprehended, Notices Issued

In an official statement, Maharashtra Cyber revealed that several individuals involved in uploading and spreading the fake content have already been apprehended. These individuals have been served official notices and have also issued public apologies for their actions.

“Maharashtra Cyber has successfully detected and acted against the Payal Gaming deepfake case. Several uploaders have been apprehended, served notices, and have issued public apologies,” the statement said.

This development marks a significant step in addressing online misinformation and misuse of technology involving public figures.

First Uploader Identified, Arrest Expected Soon

Maharashtra Cyber also confirmed that one of the first uploaders of the objectionable deepfake content has been identified. Authorities stated that the individual will be apprehended soon as part of the ongoing investigation.

“Maharashtra Cyber has also identified one of the first uploaders of the objectionable content, and he will be apprehended soon.”

The department continues to trace the origin and distribution chain of the deepfake video to ensure complete accountability.

Official Video Statement Released by Maharashtra Cyber

Along with the written update, Maharashtra Cyber also released a video statement confirming the action taken in the Payal Gaming case. In the video, officials reiterated their commitment to cracking down on those who misuse technology to spread false, harmful, or defamatory content online.

The video emphasized that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating cyber laws, especially in cases involving deepfakes and identity misuse.

Read More: KRAFTON India honors India’s Gaming Champions at the Inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 with iQOO

Strong Warning Against Misuse of Technology

Reaffirming its stance, Maharashtra Cyber issued a clear warning to individuals misusing digital tools for illegal activities.

“Maharashtra Cyber remains committed to acting firmly against those who misuse technology and violate the law.”

The case has become an important example of growing legal action against deepfake content, online defamation, and cyber harassment, particularly targeting women and public figures.

Earlier, Payal Dhare had issued a public clarification after a false viral video was wrongly linked to her. She denied any connection to the content and urged the public and media to avoid sharing or speculating about it. She also confirmed that legal steps were being taken.

With Maharashtra Cyber now actively intervening, the case highlights the increasing role of law enforcement in tackling deepfake crimes and social media misinformation in India.

CS2 Premier Season 4 Start Date: When Will Counter-Strike 2 Season 4 Begin?

Counter-Strike 2 has grown on the players despite being riddled with bugs and glitches in its early days, and with everything changed around the game, the introduction of the Premier Season has kept players more engaged than ever with its new matchmaking mode.

Word around the community is that Season 4 is on the way, and in this article, we will explore everything known so far.

CS2 Season Schedule So Far

So far, CS2’s Premier mode season has continued with a relatively consistent structure since its inception, with each one lasting 3 to 4 months, giving players time to grind ranks, earn medals, and test themselves against others.

Expected CS2 Season 4 Start Date

If Valve continues the same seasonal timeline, then CS2 Season 4 is set to kick off early 2026, likely with a 1-2 week delay after Season 3 concludes. Historically, Valve has allowed a short off-season period to reset rankings so that players can start from scratch with the season ahead of the next competitive cycle. Given that Season 4 is yet to start and Season 3 is ending on 19th January, it would be safe to assume that we might see it at the beginning of February.

Season 4 will begin one or two weeks after the conclusion of Season 3 on January 19, but the exact date of commencement is yet to be announced by Valve. Only time will tell when the developers commence the new season. Until then, grind out the current season until its last day.

CS2 Premier Season 4 Map Pool Revealed: Full List of Maps & Changes

Valve has revealed the map pool for the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 Premier Season 4 update, bidding farewell to one of the fan-favorite maps while welcoming back a familiar face from previous rotations.

The CS2 devs confirmed the fresh map pool of Premier Season 4 in a recent X post, while also announcing the end date of the current Season.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the CS2 Premier Season 4 map pool.

CS2 Premier Season 4 Map Pool

The upcoming CS2 Premier Season 4 update will reintroduce Anubis to the Active Duty map pool in the game, replacing Train.

Train will be leaving the CS2 Premier map pool after spending a full year in rotation. The map was initially added in January 2025, replacing Vertigo at the start of Premier Season 2.

Note that players will still be able to play Train even after its removal from Premier, as it will remain available in other game modes such as Competitive and Casual.

Valve further confirmed that CS2 Premier Season 3 is coming to an end on January 19, 2026, giving fans just over a week to grind for their desired rank goal. Players will be given a rank medal at the end of Season 3 based on their peak rank during the season, provided that they have at least 25 premier wins over the course of the season.

That’s everything you need to know about the end of CS2 Premier Season 3 and the map pool for the next season.

CS2 Premier Season 3 End Date Confirmed

Valve has officially confirmed the end date for Counter-Strike 2 Premier Season 3, and it’s a lot closer than you may think.

Through a recent post on the official CS2 X handle, the devs confirmed the Premier Season 3 end date alongside announcing the fresh map pool for the upcoming Season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the CS2 Premier Season 3 end date, the new map pool, and more.

CS2 Premier Season 3 End Date

CS2 Premier Season 3 is coming to an end, and players only have just over a week left to finish their competitive grind and hit their MMR goal before the big reset.

As previously confirmed by Valve, CS2 Season 3 will conclude on January 19, 2026.

CS2 Premier Season 4 will bring a new map pool to the shooter. While the current roster of maps will still be playable in ‘Competitive’ and other game modes, the Premier map pool will now feature Anubis instead of Train.

Train was initially added to the CS2 Premier map pool in January 2025, replacing Vertigo. A year later, Train finds itself being removed once again, getting replaced by Anubis instead.

The detailed patch notes of the CS2 Premier Season 4 update have not been revealed by Valve at the time of writing. With the new CS2 Season, fans can expect gameplay changes to alter the current meta alongside other improvements.

Riot Games to Implement Bots Replacing AFK Valorant Players: Reports

As various insider sources revealed, Riot Games is working on an entirely new ‘bot’ system that can serve as a substitute for players who go AFK in the midst of Valorant games. It seems that the game developer is finally taking a different approach in addressing the problem of player misconduct that has long been an issue in its tactical shooter game.

The proposed system remedies one of the biggest complaints of the Valorant community. The hindering effects of an AFK teammate. As continued analysis of Riot’s own systems has shown, an AFK player undermines the matchplay experience of the other four players, deeming it unfair. The newly proposed bot replacement policy reflects a bold approach that may turn the entire model of handling AFK disconnections upside down.

According to insider information from Turkish sources, Riot has been examining a few ways of implementing this plan. One of the easiest ways to implement it would involve the automatic deployment of bots that would take control of an AFK player’s character once they joined an ongoing game. Another plan the company has been considering would entail players willingly being part of a queue system that would see them play along with bot players.

The crucial question still being unknown is the intelligence of these robots and their ability to cope with the skills of players and a constantly changing scenario of a match. The degree of the system’s success will depend on its ability to assist its human partners meaningfully instead of becoming an added burden for them.

It also comes at a time when Riot has been giving extra attention to the behavioral systems. Patch cycle after patch cycle has doled out harsher punishments, such as when competitive matches saw a 20% reduction in AFKs thanks to the stricter enforcement that came about in recent patches.

The studio conventionally tracked AFK behavior through advanced detection systems that tracked behavioral patterns across all matches and moved progressively through a series of penalties, starting with warnings, then ranked rating deductions, and finally to outright game bans for repeat offenders. However, these punitive measures have proven insufficient to fully eliminate the problem.

Realized, this bot-replacement system would place Valorant ahead in competition integrity. It’s supposed to maintain match balance and avoid those terrible, demoralizing 4v5 situations that have driven frustration throughout the player base.

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Auction Live Updates: Teams, Players Bought & Purse Left

Garena India has officially announced the Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League (BPL), a franchise-based tournament that blends competitive esports with creator-driven entertainment. The biggest highlight today is the BPL Player Auction, which is taking place live on January 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM IST.

The Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live is being streamed on the Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel, where fans can watch teams bid for players in real time. We are providing live updates on which team bought which players, along with purse details.

Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live: Date, Time and Stream

  • Date: January 10, 2026
  • Time: From 4:00 PM IST onwards
  • Live Stream: Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel

Each franchise has been given a fixed virtual purse to build their squads from a registered player pool that includes Free Fire creators and professional esports athletes.

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Auction Live Updates: Players Bought by Each Team

(This section will be updated live as the auction progresses)

Garena India has revealed all Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League (BPL) teams along with their owners and marquee players. Each franchise will now build the rest of its squad during the live auction.

Peak Panthers

Owners: Sid, Pahadi

Marquee Player: Jonty

Purse Left: ₹0.25 CR

Players Bought: JONTY GAMING (100.00 L), GODL.ECOECO7 (10.00 L), GG.ARUP (10.00 L), ASH (20.00 L), BADAL (30.00 L), KV18.AWMKING (100.00 L), GODL.NOBITA (10.00 L), OLDMONK (155.00 L), MR.JAY (10.00 L), S8UL-ADEEB09 (10.00 L), TSG-MANN (20.00 L)

Bermuda Blasters

Owners: Kullu, Assassins Army

Marquee Player: Rocky RDX

Purse Left: ₹0.30 CR

Players Bought: ROCKY RDX (30.00 L), BLACK FLAG ARMY (40.00 L), CHIRAYU GAMING (25.00 L), LOUISX5 (90.00 L), MADHU PENNEM (10.00 L), ROFANI (65.00 L), RONITH.02 (25.00 L), STRUGGLE (10.00 L), S8UL.ARMAN19 (10.00 L), DADDYCALLING (45.00 L), DG IGNITE (120.00 L)

Nexterra Nawabs

Owners: Ritik, Sooneeta

Marquee Player: TSG Legend

Purse Left: ₹0.15 CR

Players Bought: TSG LEGEND (50.00 L), TSG.ARJUN (15.00 L), RE-MOKHRIA (45.00 L), TUX.RAJU (35.00 L), ROSHAN (65.00 L), TSG DAKSH (65.00 L), JASH (25.00 L), RNTX PAVAN (25.00 L), DG HARSH (50.00 L), ABHI (30.00 L), SK_KILLER (80.00 L)

Alpine Aces

Owners: Badge 99, PN Ross

Marquee Player: Fozy Ajay

Purse Left: ₹0.10 CR

Players Bought: TG FOZYAJAY (120.00 L), DARSHANx26 (15.00 L), GNXJASS07 (40.00 L), TG-MAFIABALA (20.00 L), RTX DEOXYS (45.00 L), FIREEYES.. (10.00 L), MAMBASR (45.00 L), TM ANSH (10.00 L), CONCEPT (155.00 L), SENIOOOR.29 (10.00 L), XTYASIRGAMING (20.00 L)

Solara Sultans

Owners: Munnabhai Gaming, Nonstop Gaming

Marquee Player: Vasiyo

Purse Left: ₹0.65 CR

Players Bought: VASIYO CRJ7 (45.00 L), RNTX.BLACK (175.00 L), TG MAFIA (15.00 L), HELLO TELUGU GAMERS (10.00 L), RIE HARSH (10.00 L), RAHUL GAMING (50.00 L), HTG.PARTEEK (50.00 L), HARD!K (20.00 L), VEXBHAGLI (30.00 L), KRISHNA (20.00 L), RGESOHAN (10.00 L)

Kalahari Knights

Owners: Desi Gamer, Kaashvi

Marquee Player: TG Delete

Purse Left: ₹00 CR

Players Bought: TG DELETE (20.00 L), ANSHUJR (100.00 L), INSANE ARENA (50.00 L), SRV SMARTY (45.00 L), TSG ABHEE (100.00 L), BOSS SPIDER (50.00 L), DG INSANE (10.00 L), HIMNISH (75.00 L), XDIVINE (30.00 L), TE ICONIC (10.00 L), GODL.NANCY15 (10.00 L)

Read More: Free Fire OB52 Update Release Date and Time

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Tournament Dates

After the auction concludes, the Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League 2026 main event will be held from January 26 to February 1. The tournament will take place at the EKA Arena Stadium in Ahmedabad, marking a major offline esports and creator-led event in India.

Where to Watch Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live

Fans can watch the full auction live on the Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel starting from 4:00 PM IST today. Stay tuned for live squad updates, final team lineups, and key auction highlights.

Revenant Esports Shares Esports Industry Outlook for 2026

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Indian esports organisation Revenant Esports has shared its outlook for the global esports industry in 2026, highlighting strong market growth and increased focus on competitive performance, creator economy, and community engagement.

According to Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, the global esports market is expected to see significant expansion in the coming years. Industry estimates suggest the market could grow to nearly $10 billion by 2033, up from around $2 billion in 2025, indicating positive momentum for esports worldwide.

Revenant Esports’ Focus Areas in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Revenant Esports plans to strengthen its competitive ambitions across multiple esports titles. The organisation aims to diversify its brand revenues, invest more in the creator economy, and contribute to long-term growth within the esports ecosystem.

Jagasia stated that consistency across global mobile and PC esports competitions will be a key priority this year. Revenant is also planning to expand its efforts in content creation, intellectual property (IP) development, and youth engagement through both online and offline events.

Revenant Esports enters 2026 after a strong 2025. The organisation recorded a top-four finish at the Brawl Stars World Finals and partnered with global brands such as Monster Energy, helping it gain international visibility.

The team has also built a strong roster of esports athletes across different titles and regions, which is expected to play a major role in upcoming international competitions.

Read More: KRAFTON India Awards 2025 All Winners List

Eyes on Global Esports Events

In 2026, Revenant Esports will be targeting global success in games such as BGMI, Valorant, and Brawl Stars, among others. These ambitions are further supported by applications for major global events, including the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026, along with continued investment in emerging talent.

Founded in 2021, Revenant Esports is one of the leading esports organisations in South Asia. Headquartered in India, the organisation currently has 45+ athletes across eight rosters, competing in various PC and mobile esports titles.

KRAFTON India honors India’s Gaming Champions at the Inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 with iQOO

Marking a defining moment for India’s rapidly evolving gaming industry, KRAFTON India hosted the inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025, presented by iQOO, at JW Marriott, Juhu on 9 January 2026. The invite-only ceremony brought together leading gaming creators, Esports athletes, commentators, casters and ecosystem stakeholders, alongside KRAFTON India’s leadership as well as senior industry executives and partners.

The Awards mark the first time a global gaming publisher has instituted a dedicated, homegrown awards platform in India. Conceived as more than a one-time celebration, the KRAFTON India Awards presented by iQOO are created to recognise sustained excellence and impact across content creation, competitive Esports, community initiatives, and game development, honouring achievements from the past year and reflecting the full breadth of India’s gaming ecosystem.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON India, said, “the KRAFTON India Awards reflect our broader commitment to India’s gaming journey. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our focus is on building an inclusive ecosystem that supports creativity, talent, and community across gaming, and creates meaningful opportunities for Indian talent to grow and be recognised. This is about strengthening the foundations that will shape the future of gaming in India.”

Presented by iQOO and co-powered by Flipkart, the inaugural edition underscores the increasing convergence of gaming, digital culture, and commerce. The platform reinforces KRAFTON India’s long-term commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive gaming and Esports ecosystem, supported by partners that share a vision for the growth of India’s digital entertainment economy.

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 Winners

Recognising trailblazers across content creation, competitive Esports, community leadership, and game development, the inaugural edition honoured individuals and teams who helped shape India’s gaming landscape over the past year.

1. Influencer of the Year

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

2. Best Content Creator of the Year (Male)

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Joker ki Haveli (Gulrez Khan)

3. Best Content Creator of the Year (Female)

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Payal (Payal Dhare)

4. Rising Creator of the Year

Recognizing an emerging BGMI creator or player who has shown significant growth, originality, and promise within the gaming community.

Winner: Admino (Tanishk Singh)

5. Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Male)

A 100% fan-voted award for the most beloved KOL or content creator of the year.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

6. Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Female)

A 100% fan-voted award for the most beloved KOL or content creator of the year.

Winner: Payal (Payal Dhare)

Read More: BGMI 4.2 Update Release Date India: Check BGMI New Update Date

7. iQOO Esports Team of the Year

Honors a team that has had an incredible year of competitive performance, consistency, and impact in the Esports ecosystem.

Winner: ORANGUTAN

8. Esports Player of the Year

Most outstanding professional Esports player with exceptional performance, skill, and influence during the year.

Winner: Levi (Mohit Kumavat)

9. Best IGL (In-Game Leader) of the Year

Given to the player who has shown exceptional leadership, strategy, and decision-making as an in-game leader.

Winner: Aaru (Arman)

10. Rookie Esports Athlete of the Year

Recognizes an emerging talent who has shown significant promise and performance in their debut year.

Winner: Devotee

11. Esports Commentator of the Year (Hindi)

The most outstanding caster who has brought excitement, clarity, and insight to Esports broadcasts.

Winner: Ankibot (Ankit Pandey)

12. Esports Commentator of the Year (English)

The most outstanding caster who has brought excitement, clarity, and insight to Esports broadcasts.

Winner: Nekrou (Neeraj Sangle)

13. Esports Host of the Year

The most charismatic, engaging, and professional host who elevated Esports events and broadcasts.

Winner: Rohit Varghese

14. Fans Choice: Favourite Esports Player of the Year

A 100% fan-voted recognition honoring the most loved Esports athlete of the year.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

15. Social Impact Initiative of the Year

Recognises an initiative that leverages gaming to drive meaningful social change, community impact and positive real-world outcomes.

Winner: Pravara Medical Trust

16.KIGI Certificate Ceremony – Cohort 1 Teams

To formally recognize and celebrate the graduating teams from the inaugural KIGI cohort for their contribution to the gaming ecosystem.

Winners:

  • 1. ReDimension Games – Sojourn Past (action-adventure, PC/console).
  • 2. Shura Games – Spice Secrets (mobile puzzle-style).
  • 3. Dunali Games – Rookie Tales (tactical deck-builder RPG).
  • 4. Arjuna Studios – Gangster Carnival (battle royale with Indian flair

17. Communicator of the Year

The Communications Contributor of the Year award recognizes an individual who has played a pivotal role in strengthening storytelling, visibility, and industry communications within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Leah Iyechittera

Live streamed inside BGMI and on YouTube, the KRAFTON India Awards 2025 brought fans nationwide into the celebration as it unfolded. By combining jury evaluation with fan voting, the Awards reflected both industry credibility and community sentiment, underscoring KRAFTON India’s long-term vision to champion talent and strengthen India’s growing gaming ecosystem

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 All Winners List

KRAFTON India hosted the inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, celebrating excellence across India’s gaming and esports ecosystem. The event marked KRAFTON India’s first dedicated awards platform in the country, bringing together creators, esports athletes, casters, hosts, and industry professionals. Check out all Krafton India Awards winners.

Presented by iQOO and co-powered by Flipkart, the awards night highlighted standout performances in content creation, competitive esports, community impact, and game development. The ceremony was also live-streamed inside BGMI and on YouTube, allowing fans across the country to witness the celebrations. The awards featured a mix of jury-decided and fan-voted categories, recognizing both performance-based excellence and community popularity.

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 Winners List

Influencer of the Year

Winner: Jonathan

Best Content Creator of the Year (Male)

Winner: JokerKiHaveli

Best Content Creator of the Year (Female)

Winner: Payal Gaming

Rising Creator of the Year

Winner: Admino

Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Male)

Winner: Jonathan

Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Female)

Winner: Payal Gaming

iQOO Esports Team of the Year

Winner: Orangutan

Esports Player of the Year

Winner: Levi

Best IGL (In-Game Leader) of the Year

Winner: Aaru

Rookie Esports Athlete of the Year

Winner: Devotee

Esports Commentator of the Year (Hindi)

Winner: Ankibot

Esports Commentator of the Year (English)

Winner: Nekrouu

Esports Host of the Year

Winner: Rohit Varghese

Fans Choice: Favourite Esports Player of the Year

Winner: Jonathan

Read More: BGMI New Season Date and Time January 2026: C9S26 End and Tier Reset

With its first edition completed successfully, the KRAFTON India Awards is expected to become a regular fixture on India’s gaming calendar, celebrating talent and contributions from across the rapidly growing gaming and esports industry.

Best Bowie Knife Skins in CS2

The Bowie Knife is one of the most popular knives in CS2, thanks to its unique animation and incredibly affordable price, making it a great value-for-money cosmetic to acquire in 2026. If you are planning to get your first knife in CS2 and eyeing a Bowie, then there is little that can go wrong for you. In this article, we will explore the best Bowie skins out there to help you make a decision.

Bowie is a big knife, and many consider it to be kind of in your face, but if you are getting your first knife, then you would much rather enjoy one like it. It has a unique switching animation and a pretty slick inspect animation, and several of the less desirable patterns can be found at a pocket-friendly price. All of this makes Bowie a great choice for those who are looking to get their first knife.

1. Bowie Knife | Gamma Doppler

With its vibrant colours and eye-catching patterns, the Gamma Doppler lineup is arguably the most desired skin type among knives in the CS2. The elegant colors make it classy as well as unique enough to stand out, and it is a treat for the eyes. Gamma Doppler brings along a lot of boasting rights, but attracts quite a few scammers.

2. Bowie Knife | Doppler

Just like Gamma Doppler, the regular Doppler is just as gorgeous and often less expensive than the former. It also boasts unique patterns within the skin, which at times appreciates the value of the knife significantly. With its unique colours, the knife looks like it has been carved out of a precious gemstone, which makes it a joy to stare at between rounds.

3. Bowie Knife | Marble Fade

With a burst of colours that pop when inspected, the Marble Fade serves as a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive skins, making it a highly desirable one among first-time skin buyers. If you have the budget, then Marble Fade is one of the most respected skins within the community.

4. Bowie Knife | Fade

The eternal love for all CS fans, Fade skins rank among the cleanest and most aesthetically pleasing knives, which come with a hefty price tag. One can never go wrong with a fade skin, and if you get this as your first skin, then be ready to attract the gaze of your teammates.

5. Bowie Knife | Tiger Tooth

Bowie Tiger Tooth is a very safe and unique option for players looking to get their first knife, especially with its price tag. Make sure to have your shaders set to “High” to get the most out of the precisely crafted aesthetics of the skin.

All of these skins make up some of the best Bowie skins out there, and given how they have historically appreciated, investing in one of them may be a wise decision over a long period of time. The above-mentioned Bowie knife skins are the best ones out there.