The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed that the champions of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2025 will earn a direct berth at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks BGMI’s first‐ever appearance on the global stage.
BGMI Gets Its First-Ever Appearance on the Global Stage
The BMPS Grand Finals, scheduled from 4th to 6th July at New Delhi’s Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, already carry India’s largest mobile-esports prize pool of ₹4 crore. Now the stakes are even higher: the winner will not only take home the lion’s share from the prize pool but will also represent the nation against the top global teams at the Esports World Cup, where 24 elite teams will battle for a US $3 million purse.
Beyond national pride, this pathway alters the competitive calculus for BGMI pros. Previously confined to regional tournaments, India’s top mobile contenders will now lock horns with storied global outfits such as Alpha7 and Weibo Gaming at Riyadh’s multi-game festival, which spans 25 titles, 2,000 athletes and a record-breaking US $70 million prize pool.
With the top 16 Indian teams set to clash over 18 matches this weekend, BMPS 2025 has become more than a domestic showdown: it is the final qualifier for a world championship debut that Indian mobile gamers have coveted for years. Expect packed stands, millions of livestream viewers and, ultimately, one trailblazing roster punching its ticket to Riyadh.
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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced a major expansion of its engagement with the Indian esports ecosystem. Key developments include a soon-to-be-announced strategic broadcast partnership with India’s leading streaming and digital services company, an official invitation of a Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) team to compete at the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), and the inclusion of premier Indian organization S8UL in the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program.
Esports World Cup Foundation Expands India Presence with S8UL’s Inclusion in the EWCF Club Partner Program, BGMI Invitation to EWC 2025, and broadcast
The initiatives mark a key milestone in EWCF’s mission to unite global esports fans under one competitive platform and reinforces its commitment to integrating one of the world’s fastest-growing esports markets into EWC while expanding opportunities for players, clubs and fans across the region.
“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to unite the global gaming community, and that means investing in regions driving the future of the industry,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “India is central to that vision. With hundreds of millions of mobile-first players, it’s home to an ecosystem evolving at an incredible pace—from championship Clubs like S8UL to leading digital platforms that are transforming how fans experience esports. Through expanded partnerships and competitive pathways, we’re shaping the future of Indian esports, empowering its players and Clubs to compete at the highest level at EWC, bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to the country.”
BMPS 2025 Winner To Get a Slot in Esports World Cup
The invitation to the winner of the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS) marks the first time that an Indian team will compete against the best teams from the rest of the world at the Esports World Cup, representing a milestone moment for the title’s integration into international competition and a reflection of the rapid growth and potential of mobile gaming in the country.
India’s leading broadcast partner, soon to be announced, will play a pivotal role in expanding access, amplifying fan engagement, and supporting India-based programming throughout the EWC 2025 season, including localized broadcasts, community events, and exclusive content offerings aimed at the subcontinent’s 500+ million gamers.
This year, the Mumbai-based organization S8UL Esports joined the EWCF Club Partner Program. S8UL is a prime example of a Club that’s accelerated their growth through the Program. The Club has already qualified for EWC 2025 in Apex Legends, EA SPORTS FC, and is competing for qualification in additional titles including Tekken, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, BGMI and Chess.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. Moreover, the tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Tickets are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
Avid fans of CS2 tend to keep an eye out for the weekly drops, and for good reason. While weeks go by where players get generic items as a drop, occasionally their lucky stars align, and they receive something that is either worth using or comes with a high value. CS2 drop resets at a particular time every week, and peruse through to know when.
As the name suggests, weekly drops occur once a week on a specific day, and players never fail to seize the opportunity to get their hands on them. As cool as it sounds, not everyone is eligible for these drops. In this article, you can find out what it takes to be eligible and when these drops are available every week.
The drops reset around Wednesday at 1:00 AM GMT or 6:30 AM IST. Make sure to have the minimum XP collected within the timespan to realise the rewards.
These drops include Graphitties, Skins, and Cases. While these may sound insignificant, at times, the value of these items could be a lot on the Steam market, so you can easily trade them for something that you want.
Free Fire India Esports has officially unveiled the complete Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 (FFMIC 2025) format. For the first time, the tournament will take place in a dual-mode competition between Battle Royale and Clash Squad formats. Furthermore, it also brings a new innovative Champion Rush format for Battle Royale.
FFMIC 2025 Format: Everything You Need to Know
Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything that has been revealed about the FFMIC 2025 format:
Eligibility
The tournament maintains accessible entry requirements while ensuring competitive integrity. Players must be Indian citizens residing in India, aged 16+, with a minimum Diamond 1 rank and Level 40 in-game. Teams require a minimum of 4 players with an optional 5th substitute.
FFMIC 2025 Online Qualifiers
The Online Qualifiers phase will feature 48 teams, divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) of 12 teams each. This stage unfolds over two weeks.
In Week 1, on 26th July, groups A and B will compete, followed by groups C and D on 27th July. Each group will play 6 games, and performances from these matches will determine progression to the next round.
Moving into Week 2, the top 9 teams from each of the initial 4 groups will form a pool of 36 teams, now divided into three new groups, A, B, and C, again with 12 teams each. These matches are scheduled for August 2 and 3, with each group once again playing 6 games.
At the end of Week 2, the top 6 teams from each group will qualify for the League Stage. These will make up a final list of 18 teams advancing in the tournament.
FFMIC 2025 League Stage to Feature Two Modes: Battle Royale and Clash Squad
The League Stage of the Tez Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 is divided into two competitive formats: Battle Royale and Clash Squad. A total of 18 teams, qualified from the Online Qualifiers, will participate in this phase.
Battle Royale Mode:
In the Battle Royale mode, the League Stage spans four weeks, beginning on 22nd August and concluding on 14th September. Matches will take place on three consecutive days during Weeks 1 and 2 (22nd to 24th August and 29th to 31st August), and on two days in Weeks 3 and 4 (6th to 7th September and 13th to 14th September). All 18 teams will compete in a round-robin format, accumulating points across matchdays.
Qualification to the Battle Royale Grand Finals is based on standout performances during the final weeks. Specifically, the top 2 teams from each matchday on 6th, 7th, and 13th will directly qualify, making up 6 finalists. Then, on 14th, the next 6 best-performing teams on the leaderboard will advance, completing the lineup of 12 Battle Royale Grand Finalists.
Clash Squad Mode:
Simultaneously, the Clash Squad mode will run with a different structure. After Week 2 of the League Stage, the top 8 teams from the overall standings will qualify for the Clash Squad segment. This stage uses a Swiss format, beginning on 5th September and concluding on 12th September.
Day 1 will feature Best-of-3 (Bo3) matches to sort initial wins and losses. Based on these results, Day 2 will see Best-of-5 (Bo5) matchups to finalize standings. Ultimately, the top 4 teams from this bracket will qualify for the Clash Squad Grand Finals.
Together, this dual-format League Stage ensures that teams are tested across multiple playstyles, rewarding consistency, adaptability, and peak performance heading into the Grand Finals.
FFMIC 2025 Champion Rush Format
The Grand Finals introduce the innovative Champion Rush format for Battle Royale competition. Teams must achieve 80 points AND secure a Booyah (victory) to claim the championship, with a maximum of 10 matches determining the ultimate winner, who will take home the lion’s share from the ₹1 crore prize pool.
The 2-day Grand Finals structure on September 27-28 ensures maximum entertainment value, with Clash Squad finals on Day 1 and Battle Royale finals on Day 2. This comprehensive format establishes FFMIC 2025 as a landmark tournament that could influence future Indian esports competitions across multiple titles.
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In a significant paradigm change for Counter-Strike esports, Valve has revised the CS Major Supplemental Rulebook, announcing key modifications in both qualification format and roster rules for the upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major. These changes come as a response to the outcome of the BLAST.tv Austin Major and align with Valve’s increasing emphasis on sustained performance via the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).
One of the most notable updates is the cancellation of all Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQs). Initially scheduled to decide seeding for the Budapest Major, MRQs have been cancelled altogether. Valve explained that they had logistical clashes with other prominent tournaments, the CS Asia Championships, Thunderpick World Championship, and MESA Nomadic Masters, behind the cancellation. Since MRQs are no longer in the equation, all 32 spots for the Budapest Major will now be awarded according to VRS standings.
The change not only simplifies the qualification process but also puts more emphasis on habitual team performance during the season. Teams will have to hold a high ranking in Valve-qualifying events in order to earn enough points for a Major spot.
In the wake of the BLAST.tv Austin Major, Valve also reallocated the regional invitations over the three stages of qualification for Budapest. Europe still has the most direct invites, though there was a slight realignment from Austin. The Americas region is awarded an additional Stage 3 position due to good performances by paiN and FURIA, both of which advanced to the top eight in Austin. In contrast, the Americas have lost a Stage 2 position, which has been assigned to Europe and Asia, respectively.
The new regional invite breakdown now looks like this:
Stage 1
To be determined: 16 teams
Stage 2
Europe: 5 teams
Americas: 2 teams
Asia: 1 team
Stage 3
Europe: 5 teams
Americas: 2 teams
Asia: 1 team
Interestingly, the breakdown for Stage 1 is still unspecified here, allowing for possible changes from the past structure, which allocated six spots for Europe and the Americas, and four for Asia.
Along with the revamped invite system is the implementation of stricter guidelines in terms of roster composition. As soon as a team has an invite, the five players who are registered in the Valve Registration System at the time are locked into being considered the team’s core lineup. The roster cannot be changed after this invite has been issued. Teams can have one standby, but the player must not affect the team’s region. That is, the replacement must be eligible to play within the same region as the regular roster.
The StarLadder Budapest Major will occur between November 24 and December 14, 2025, with official invitations to be revealed on October 8. The tournament will have a $1.25 million prize pool and will be hosted by the MTK Sportpark and MVM Dome in Budapest, which will see a return to Eastern Europe for Counter-Strike at the Major level.
Marvel Rivals has been one of the most sensational superhero games in recent times and has taken the gaming world by storm. The developers have ensured that gamers receive frequent updates to keep them engaged with the game. The latest update, featuring Captain Klyntar, Captain America, and the Future Foundation’s Spider-Man, is a notable addition to the long list of updates.
While these two are some of the lesser-known versions of the popular heroes, it goes without saying that they hold a special place in the hearts of Marvel fans. Not only do they offer a fresh look, but these versions also come with a plethora of new abilities that users will like to have in their arsenal.
🌟 Set Your Priorities Straight – Aim For Glory! 🎯
Whether your sights are set on victory or overcoming inner battles, resilience is key. Step up and take charge as Captain America's Captain Klyntar and Spider-Man's Future Foundation costumes. The battlefield waits for no one;… pic.twitter.com/QEi5QRcBpM
Unfortunately, both skins will only be available to acquire via the Store, which means you need to keep an eye on the Store for when it goes on sale, as well as have the currency ready to make sure you get what you are looking for.
Both Captain America and Spider-Man skins are presumed to be going out at 1,600 Units, so make sure to have that amount ready if you are looking to get them.
Fortnite’s quick matches and competitive player base are what the game is most famous for. However, not every gamer is after high-stakes Victory Royales. Whether you’re a newcomer trying to figure everything out, someone laboring through daily or seasonal quests, or you’re simply searching for a less stressful gaming experience, bot lobbies provide a low-pressure area in which to play the game.
Bot lobbies are comprised primarily of AI players, playing like actual opponents but lacking the talent or randomness of human players. These games are perfect for new mechanic practice, trying out weapons, or simply playing the game at your own pace. Below is an exhaustive guide to several methods you can use to get into bot lobbies in Fortnite reliably.
How to Get Bot Lobbies in Fortnite?
Epic Games uses a skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) system. When a brand-new Fortnite account is created, the system automatically assigns the first few matches to bot lobbies so the player can get familiar with the controls and mechanics without facing experienced users.
Go to the Epic Games website and sign up for a new account with a fresh email.
Download and install Fortnite (if not pre-installed), and then log in to it using the new account.
Open the game and play any Battle Royale mode — Solo, Duos, or Squads. Your first games (typically the first 10–15) will be played against bots mostly.
To play from your main account, invite your new (bot-friendly) account to a party and make the new account the party leader. This will make the matchmaking use the new account’s bot lobby profile, putting the two accounts in a low-difficulty match.
Note: Following a few victories or eliminations, the system can begin to slowly inject actual players into your lobbies. Periodically, you might need to restart with a clean, fresh new account in case you’re pursuing full bot lobbies.
One way is to utilize pre-established bot accounts or devices to act as your party leader. This is effective if you can use a second device or account that is still in the “bot lobby” stage.
Sign in to your primary Fortnite account on your primary device.
On some other device (console, mobile, PC, etc.), use a newly made or inactive Fortnite account.
Make the bot account your friend, and invite it to your party.
When at the party, make the bot account the party leader.
Begin the game. The lobby will have the matchmaking level of the bot account, which will drop you into a bot-intensive match.
This is often employed by content creators to speed-run a video or finish a battle pass quest quickly without intrusions from actual players.
Fortnite’s SBMM system dynamically changes matchmaking difficulty according to your recent performance. By intentionally performing poorly, sometimes called “reverse boosting,” you can get the system to put you in simpler lobbies.
Play a few matches where you don’t fight, end up in populated places, or kill yourself early in the match.
Do this in 5–10 matches to decrease your hidden matchmaking rating (MMR).
After some games, the system will start putting you in lower-ranked lobbies with more bots.
Warning: This trick can harm your overall statistics and can breach the fair play policies if done continuously or excessively.
Fortnite’s Creative Mode provides user-created content in the form of training maps and bot-inhabited arenas. These are excellent for players who wish to practice building, aim training, or mimic actual combat missions in a controlled environment.
In the game mode menu, choose “Creative”.
Type in a certain island code for a bot lobby or AI practice map.
Launch the island and start the match. These islands will generally have AI spawners for individual combat practice.
Recommended Bot Practice Island Codes (as of 2025):
Aim Trainer & Bot Arena by Donwozi – 9249-1235-9789
Note: Although these aren’t strictly “Battle Royale” lobbies, they’re ideal for mechanical improvement, particularly for new players.
Bot lobbies in Fortnite are an invaluable tool for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re practicing to get better, XP grinding effectively, or simply searching for a laid-back match without high-skill players bearing down on you, there’s a way for everyone.
The speculation is finally over. Garena has officially confirmed that the Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 (FFMIC 2025) will feature a massive ₹1 crore prize pool. This announcement validates the long wait that players and fans have endured over the past 3.5 years.
Free Fire Esports Returns to India With Massive ₹1 Crore Prize Pool
After a 3.5-year competitive hiatus, following the ban of Free Fire in February 2022, this announcement signals more than just a return; it marks a full-scale relaunch. The sizable prize pool not only reaffirms Garena’s trust in the Indian esports ecosystem but also positions the FFMIC 2025 as one of the most lucrative mobile tournaments in the country’s recent history.
Notably, the last major Free Fire tournament in India, the Free Fire India Championship 2022 Spring, also featured a ₹1 crore prize pool.
While the exact prize distribution breakdown for FFMIC 2025 is not yet out, the ₹1 crore will go to the top-performing teams during the Grand Finals, which is all set to take place on 27th to 28th September, 2025. The tournament’s four-phase structure, from in-game qualifiers to the offline LAN finals, ensures that only the most skilled and consistent teams will have a shot at claiming their share of this substantial prize pool.
India has always been a critical market for Free Fire, boasting millions of daily players before the 2022 ban. With BGMI and other titles already drawing massive competitive audiences, Free Fire’s re-entry with such a high reward structure is bound to reignite regional rivalries and inspire a new wave of talent.
For veteran orgs like TSG, Total Gaming, and Galaxy Racer India, many of whom once ruled Free Fire leaderboards, the FFMIC 2025 prize pool presents a golden opportunity to re-establish dominance. Meanwhile, aspiring pros now have a clear incentive to grind, qualify, and make a mark on the national stage.
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In a shocking development ahead of the highly anticipated Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC) 2025 in Riyadh, Indian powerhouse S8UL Esports has been officially disqualified from the tournament. The decision by the MSC 2025 Committee comes after two of S8UL’s key players, Jang “HOON” Seong-hun and Michael “MOBAZANE” Cosgun breached the event’s strict competitive rules.
Why Was S8UL Disqualified from MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) 2025 Riyadh
The controversy centers on HOON and MOBAZANE’s participation in an event associated with a competing mobile MOBA title. The MSC Penalty Index (Section 2, Penalty Index B) strictly prohibits players from engaging in any activities, such as tournaments, livestreams, or promotional events, that provide exposure to rival games. Despite multiple warnings and opportunities from the tournament organizers to reconsider, S8UL chose to proceed with their players’ involvement in the event, triggering an automatic disqualification for both athletes and, by extension, the entire team.
This violation left S8UL unable to meet the tournament’s minimum roster requirements, as outlined in the MSC Official Rules, which mandate at least five starting players, one substitute, and one coach. The rules also stipulate that roster changes are only permitted under force majeure conditions, such as illness or accidents, none of which applied in this case.
As a direct consequence, Area 77, the runner-up from the North America Challenger Tournament (NACT) Spring 2025, will take over S8UL’s slot and will now represent North America on the global stage at MSC 2025. The tournament, set to take place from July 10 to August 2 in Riyadh, features 23 elite teams from around the world competing for a massive $3 million prize pool as part of the Esports World Cup 2025.
The MSC Committee emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity and standards of professional esports, serving a clear reminder to all teams about the importance of adhering to tournament regulations. While S8UL’s management has expressed disappointment and maintained that the organization itself was not at fault, the decision stands as a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of esports governance.
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As the world gets more and more digital, we have left behind the days of buying physical copies of the games we like. With the rise of platforms like Steam, almost every game purchase of a title is a digital copy, and while there are no particular downsides, you cannot just run into a store and ask for a refund in case something goes wrong.
Given that Steam has an established refund policy, you cannot simply refund anything and everything. The refund policy comes with a particular process and criteria that need to be followed if you would like the money back into your account.
The refund process is quite simple: “Help” -> “Steam Support” -> “Purchases” -> select the game -> “I’d like a refund”, but to know what games can be refunded is quite a task.
What is eligible for a refund
It must be a game that you bought on Steam. If you purchased a game from a third-party website or another method, you are not eligible for a refund.
Within 14 days following the purchase (or release for pre-purchase), you must submit your refund request.
The maximum playing time for any bought game, including those in Early Access, is two hours.
Refunds for memberships or in-game purchases can be requested, usually within 48 hours of the transaction. These reimbursements are given on an individual basis.
Suffice it to say that the policy is flexible enough to let you make an impulse purchase, but its forgiveness as a limit. In case you are willing to experiment with a Steam game, make sure to keep these in mind if your intention is to get a refund.
