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From Startup Spotlight to Legal Scrutiny: How Policy Reset Rewrote WinZO’s Story

Arpita Tewari
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From Startup Spotlight to Legal Scrutiny: How Policy Reset Rewrote WinZO’s Story

In April 2025, WinZO Games co-founders Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda stood on stage at one of India’s most visible startup showcases, delivering insights on innovation, community building, and the creator economy. Just three months later, the same duo find themselves at the centre of a high-profile investigation by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED), accused of alleged money-laundering and financial misconduct, with Rathore granted bail and Nanda denied relief by a Bengaluru court.

The meteoric switch from celebrated entrepreneurs to subjects of intense legal scrutiny underscores not only the volatile intersection of tech, regulation, and finance in India’s digital economy but also the growing pains of an industry in transition.

In April, WinZO — one of India’s fastest-growing gaming and skill-gaming platforms — was basking in public admiration. At the Startup Mahakumbh, a flagship event backed by government and industry stakeholders, the founders were part of conversations about innovation, employment, and India’s digital future. The platform was lauded for its role in supporting India’s creator economy, enabling gamers, streamers, and indie developers to monetise content and reach audiences at scale.

Their contributions extended to engaging youth and tier-2/3 talent pools, particularly through regional language content and accessible gameplay. Not just this, they comfortable worked by aligning with government initiatives aimed at nurturing startups as engines of job creation and technological growth. The Mahakumbh panel, which featured founders alongside public-sector leaders, underscored WinZO’s perceived contribution to both community and economic development.

The tone was celebratory. Coverage highlighted WinZO’s rapid user-base expansion, creative partnerships, and role in legitimising games as a source of livelihoods — from competitive players to content collaborators.

For the founders, being invited to speak at a government-affiliated startup forum was a marker of prestige, signalling that their platform was not just commercially successful but also socially relevant.

Sharp Nosedive

The world changed abruptly for WinZO and its leadership in the months after April. Two major developments reshaped their narrative.

In mid-2025, the Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), which included sweeping measures to ban real-money gaming (RMG) nationwide, among other provisions. The law sent shockwaves through the online gaming ecosystem, forcing market pivots and resignations of business models once seen as growth engines. This regulatory shift placed platforms like WinZO at the centre of both commercial and legal scrutiny.

The ban was intended to curb gambling-linked gaming, protect consumers, and establish a clear legal framework — but it also disrupted revenue streams and pushed companies to reevaluate compliance mechanisms.

Against this backdrop, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a money-laundering investigation in November 2025, based on predicate offences detailed in multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Rajasthan. The probe targeted alleged financial irregularities linked to WinZO’s operations.

On 26 November 2025, both Rathore and Nanda were arrested by the ED and remanded to custody as investigators pursued evidence on alleged:

  • Algorithmic manipulation in gaming operations, which the agency claims generated wrongful gains.
  • Divergent fund flows and layering of proceeds, including possible transnational transfers.
  • Discrepancies between reported financials and underlying transactions, as part of a broader money-laundering case under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act).

The case quickly became one of the most watched in the Indian tech and gaming sector, given WinZO’s prominence and previous goodwill.

Divergent Outcomes Further Complicating The Issues

On December 26, 2025, a sessions court in Bengaluru delivered a split bail order that has further emphasised the complexity of the case. While, Saumya Singh Rathore was granted bail, leveraging a statutory proviso under the PMLA that provides procedural safeguards for women accused under the Act. The court noted she had already undergone extensive custodial interrogation and deemed further detention unnecessary at this stage.

On the contrary, Paavan Nanda was denied bail, with the court finding that the ongoing investigation warranted his continued custody. The judge cited concerns that releasing him prematurely could impede aspects of the probe.

The three-month transformation of WinZO’s public positioning, from government-aligned startup exemplar to defendants in a financial crime case, mirrors larger tensions in India’s tech ecosystem. As lawmakers grapple with evolving categories like skill gaming, real-money play, and consumer protection, companies face shifting compliance expectations. Rapid growth and public celebration can quickly give way to enforcement scrutiny when legal and financial boundaries are contested or unclear. Corporate reputations built on community support and tech optimism can be destabilized by legal proceedings, regardless of eventual outcomes.

For observers, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the speed at which fortunes can shift in India’s digital economy, particularly for companies operating in legally sensitive domains like gaming, fintech, and digital assets.

What Happens Next

With continued investigation expected through early 2026, the WinZO case remains far from resolved. The ED is likely to present additional evidence and documentary material in the coming hearings, and legal teams for both founders are preparing substantive responses.

Regardless of the final outcome, the narrative arc from startup honours in April to ED custody by November–December underscores how closely regulatory climates, legal frameworks, and public perception intersect in the modern era — especially for companies at the intersection of gaming, technology, and money movement.

For the Indian startup community, the WinZO story may well shape how founders, investors, and policymakers approach both compliance and narrative management in the years ahead.

WinZO Money Laundering Case: Saumya Rathore Gets Bail, Paavan Nanda Denied Relief by Bengaluru Court

Ritambhara Tripathi
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WinZO Money Laundering Case: Saumya Rathore Gets Bail, Paavan Nanda Denied Relief by Bengaluru Court

A Bengaluru sessions court has granted bail to WinZO co-founder Saumya Singh Rathore, while denying similar relief to her fellow co-founder Paavan Nanda, in a money-laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The order, passed by the Principal City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru, has drawn attention not only because of the divergent outcomes for the two founders, but also due to the court’s reliance on a specific statutory safeguard available to women accused under the PMLA.

The ED arrested Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda on November 26, 2025, following searches conducted at their residences and business premises. The arrests came after the agency registered a money-laundering case earlier in November, based on multiple predicate offences linked to FIRs filed in different jurisdictions.

Following their arrest, both founders were remanded to ED custody and later to judicial custody as investigators sought time to examine financial trails, digital infrastructure, and corporate structures linked to WinZO.

On December 26, 2025, the sessions court heard their bail pleas together but delivered separate outcomes, granting bail to Rathore while rejecting Nanda’s application.

What the ED Has Alleged

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the case relates to alleged large-scale financial irregularities connected to WinZO’s online gaming operations.

The agency has alleged that:

  • Certain gaming mechanisms and algorithms were used in a manner that allegedly generated illegal or wrongful gains.
  • Proceeds from these activities were allegedly layered and diverted, including through overseas entities.
  • Digital infrastructure and payment channels were allegedly used to disguise the origin and movement of funds.
  • The total alleged proceeds of crime run into hundreds of crores of rupees, though the company has disputed these figures.

The ED has also frozen assets linked to the case and stated that the investigation is still at an active stage.

WinZO and its founders have consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that the platform operates lawful, skill-based games in compliance with applicable laws.

Why Bail Was Granted to Rathore but Denied to Nanda

The key legal distinction in the court’s order lies in Section 45 of the PMLA.

Under normal circumstances, bail under the PMLA is subject to stringent “twin conditions,” requiring the court to be satisfied that the accused is not guilty and is unlikely to commit an offence while on bail. However, a proviso to Section 45 relaxes these conditions for certain categories of accused, including women.

The court held that Saumya Singh Rathore was entitled to this statutory protection, noting that she had already undergone custodial interrogation and that continued detention was not necessary at this stage.

In contrast, the court found that Paavan Nanda did not meet the threshold required for bail, particularly given the ongoing nature of the investigation. The judge observed that releasing him at this point could potentially affect the probe, and therefore allowed the ED to retain him in custody for further questioning.

Why This Case Matters for the Gaming Industry

WinZO is a well-known name in India’s online gaming ecosystem, operating across multiple formats including casual multiplayer and skill-based games. The case comes at a time when Indian regulators and enforcement agencies are intensifying scrutiny of online gaming and real-money platforms, especially around financial compliance and consumer protection.

The Indian Union Government had banned RMG and classified it under gambling category on August 22nd, 2025 while giving specific distinction to esports and casual gaming.

While Rathore’s bail offers temporary relief to one of the company’s top executives, Nanda’s continued custody underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations. The case is being closely watched by founders, investors, and operators across India’s gaming sector, as it could influence how enforcement agencies interpret compliance obligations in digital gaming businesses.

With Saumya Singh Rathore released on bail and Paavan Nanda still in custody, the ED is expected to continue its investigation into early 2026. Further hearings are likely as the agency files additional material before the court.

Any final determination on guilt or innocence will depend on the outcome of trial proceedings, which are expected to take time given the financial and technical complexity of the case.

For now, the split bail order marks a significant development in one of the most closely followed legal cases involving India’s gaming startup ecosystem.

Return of the AR Meta? PUBG Mobile Nerfing Shotguns Including DBS and S12K, Buffing AR Damage in 4.2 Update

Aditya Parsutkar
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Return of the AR Meta? PUBG Mobile Nerfing Shotguns Including DBS and S12K, Buffing AR Damage in 4.2 Update

Good news has finally arrived for PUBG Mobile players who were tired of the long-running PUBG Mobile shotgun meta in Classic Mode. As per the latest PUBG Mobile beta update, the developers have introduced PUBG Mobile weapon balance changes that focus on reducing shotgun power and increasing the damage of Assault Rifles.

The PUBG Mobile 4.2 update beta is currently live, and the patch notes have revealed major PUBG Mobile Classic Mode updates. While the damage changes look minor on paper, they could be the start of a PUBG Mobile meta change, especially pointing toward the return of the PUBG Mobile AR meta.

PUBG Mobile Buffs AR Damage in the 4.2 Update

According to the PUBG Mobile beta update, several ARs have received a damage increase to make gunfights more balanced and skill-based. These PUBG Mobile AR damage buffs will help players rely more on rifles instead of close-range shotgun rushes.

As part of the PUBG Mobile weapon balance changes, the following ARs have been buffed:

  • The base damage of AKM, M762, ACE32, Honey Badger, and Mk47 has been increased by 2 points
  • The base damage of the Groza has been increased by 1 point

These changes are expected to make ARs more reliable, especially against aggressive shotgun rushes.

PUBG Mobile Nerfs Shotguns Including DBS and S12K

Along with AR buffs, PUBG Mobile has also introduced a clear PUBG Mobile shotgun nerf. Shotguns have dominated close-range fights for a long time, and this update aims to reduce their impact.

According to the patch notes:

  • The base damage of S686, S1897, NS2000, S12K, DBS, and M1014 has been reduced by 1 point
  • The randomness of bullet spread has been slightly increased, making shotgun shots less consistent

With this PUBG Mobile DBS nerf and PUBG Mobile S12K nerf, shotgun players will now need better aim and positioning instead of depending on easy one-shot eliminations.

Read More: M416 Glacier is Returning in BGMI in 2026

Is This the Start of a PUBG Mobile Meta Change?

Although the damage adjustments in the PUBG Mobile 4.2 update are minor, they should not be ignored. These changes could be the first step toward ending the shotgun-heavy gameplay and bringing back a more balanced PUBG Mobile AR meta.

If PUBG Mobile continues to fine-tune weapon stats in future updates, players may soon experience a noticeable PUBG Mobile meta change in Classic Mode. Since these updates are currently part of the PUBG Mobile beta update, final values may still change before the update officially goes live.

For now, this patch clearly shows that PUBG Mobile is slowly preparing for a shift in gameplay balance.

PUBG Mobile 4.2 Update Release Date and Time

PUBG Mobile has not officially confirmed the PUBG Mobile 4.2 update release date so far. However, based on the game’s recent update schedule, major version updates are usually rolled out once every two months. In 2025, PUBG Mobile followed a consistent pattern, with version 3.8 released in May, 3.9 in July, 4.0 in September, and the PUBG Mobile 4.1 update arrived in November 2025.

Following this regular update timeline, the PUBG Mobile 4.2 update is expected to be released between January 3 and January 9, 2026. The rollout is likely to begin in the morning, starting at around 7:30 AM IST.

M416 Glacier is Returning in BGMI in 2026

Aditya Parsutkar
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0
M416 Glacier is Returning in BGMI in 2026

The BGMI M416 Glacier skin is finally returning in the 2026 season through Classic Crates. Krafton India has officially hinted at the comeback of one of the most popular and rare gun skins in BGMI. The M416 Glacier last came to the game on 4 July 2025, and at that time, it created a huge storm in the gaming community. However, many players were unable to obtain the skin. Now, gamers will get another chance to save their Classic Crate coupons and wait for its return. Fans are also speculating that the BGMI M416 Glacier skin might be featured in the BGMI 4.2 update, which is expected to release in January 2026. Check out the expected BGMI M416 Glacier return date and more details below.

BGMI M416 Glacier is Returning in 2026

Krafton India has officially confirmed the return of the M416 Glacier skin in BGMI 2026. The confirmation came through the BGMI 2025 Rewind video, which was shared on Krafton India’s official social media platforms.

In the video, Krafton not only teased the comeback of the iconic M4 Glacier but also hinted at multiple exciting additions planned for BGMI in 2026. This announcement has boosted excitement among players who have been waiting for the Glacier skin to return for a long time.

Will M4 Glacier return in the BGMI 4.2 update?

While Krafton has confirmed that the BGMI M416 Glacier will return in 2026, the exact release date has not been officially announced yet. However, several industry leaks suggest that the skin may be added to Classic Crates in the BGMI 4.2 update, which is expected to launch in January 2026.

That said, Krafton has not yet confirmed whether the M416 Glacier skin will be included specifically in the 4.2 update or in a later update. Reports do indicate that another M416 skin will be introduced in the 4.2 update, but for the Glacier variant, players may need to wait for an official announcement.

Read More: BGMI Next Update Date: When Will BGMI 4.2 Update Go Live?

Until then, gamers are advised to save their Classic Crate coupons and keep an eye on Krafton India’s official channels for updates regarding the BGMI M416 Glacier return date.

The M416 Glacier is one of the most popular weapon skins in BGMI because of its iconic icy design, upgradeable kill effects, and rare availability. The frosty blue finish, evolving visuals, and special hit effects make it stand out from regular gun skins. Over the years, the Glacier has become a status symbol in BGMI, as only a limited number of players own it. Its smooth design, premium feel, and strong emotional connection with OG BGMI players have made it a fan favourite. Every time it returns, it creates massive hype across the community.

With Krafton officially confirming its return in 2026, the Glacier skin is once again set to dominate Classic Crates. While the exact update is still unconfirmed, players should stay alert, save their coupons, and wait for the official announcement to grab this legendary skin when it finally returns.

When Is Lady Loki Coming to Marvel Rivals

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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When Is Lady Loki Coming to Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals Season 6 is just around the corner, and NetEase is showing no signs of slowing down, as 2026 is about to witness the most expensive and unique skin in the game, which is set to be released later this week as part of the Season 5.5 update, with speculations suggesting a price as high as 4000 units.

Loki, the god of mischief, has been a fan favourite character thanks to his funny yet morally questionable role in the comics. Hero or otherwise, Loki has always held a special place in the hearts of fans, and a skin like “Lady Loki” adds more depth to the already complicated character, making it a highly desirable skin. While many assumed that it was his half-sister Hela who was coming to the game, the latest teasers confirm Lady Loki in Marvel Rivals.

When is Lady Loki coming to the game?

Lady Loki is coming to Marvel Rivals as a part of the Season 5.5 Update on 2nd January 2026, just days ahead of Season 6. Speculated to be priced between 3000 and 4000 units, Lady Loki is set to be one of the most expensive skins in the game, if not the most expensive. Reports suggest that the developers have hired a new voice actor for the skin, which goes to show the developers’ investment in it and, therefore, explains the high price tag for the new mythical skin.

The developers promised numerous updates for the game heading into 2026, and as things stand, they have been delivering with new skins, characters, and so much more. A consistent influx of content is what kept Fortnite alive after so many years of the BR hype dying down, and NetEase seems to have picked up on the same policy to reap the rewards for their game as well.

Fortnite X Pulp Fiction Release Date Revealed

Aritra Patra
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0
Fortnite X Pulp Fiction Release Date Revealed

Epic Games presses on with its quest to poach Hollywood IP from Tinseltown with none other than Quentin Tarantino, who brings two of his iconic celluloid heroes to Fortnite, with Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega joining Fortnite today. Two of Tarantino’s iconic heroes from his cult hit Pulp Fiction in 1994 – featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta – join Fortnite from Dec. 30, 2025.

It is the second significant Tarantino co-op in a matter of weeks, following the successful addition of Kill Bill content in November, featuring a 10-minute unreleased Tarantino-directed segment.

A significant point to note here is the quick turnaround of such collaborations by Fortnite to leverage the best possible synergy from Tarantino’s never-before attitude towards gaming partnerships.

​​The “Pulp Fiction Pack” brings the characters’ design from the film directly into the battle arena. The two skins have the hitmen’s characteristic black suit, with further customization options including “back bling” and “pickaxes” that pay homage to some of the most iconic scenes from the film. The pricing of the bundle and skins has not been set in stone, but is expected to be 1,500 V-Bucks each, similar to past Tarantino collaborations.

The partnership brings into the open a paradigm shift in how existing intellectual properties interact with the youth audience. With 31.5 million daily engagements, Fortnite has emerged as the platform of choice for Hollywood to connect with the Gen Alpha and Gen Z generations. The commitment by Tarantino to not only conceptualize but also demonstrate choreography to the development teams reflects the acceptance of gaming as a viable platform for storytelling.

Industry insiders forecast high adoption rates akin to other popular releases that recently came to market. The most successful skins in Fortnite present highly unpredictable adoption patterns, though iconic figures known for their immediately recognizable styles always seem to fare well in the market. It is not known whether Jules and Vincent will become as ubiquitous as Kim Kardashian’s skins in the game, though fan reaction is positive so far.

Is Taylor Swift Coming to Fortnite

ESL Announces Club Rewards Update for IEM China 2026

Sarjyo Mukherjee
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ESL Announces Club Rewards Update for IEM China 2026

ESL has announced big updates to the reward system for the upcoming Intel Extreme Masters China 2026, and this comes as a result of IEM Cologne 2026 getting the Major status. The restructuring enhances the overall prize pool and proportionately improves the club rewards available to participating teams, reflecting ESL’s commitment to the Intel Extreme Masters.

Originally set to boast a prize pool of $1 million, IEM China 2026 will get a $250K boost thanks to the reallocation of funds that were earmarked for IEM Cologne’s club rewards. With Valve taking over IEM Cologne’s prize pool, ESL has decided to reroute that money from Cologne to China, giving the participants a significant financial upside.

Updated Prize Pool

ESL is updating the prize pool, giving significant upside to the teams, especially those finishing at the top.

  • 1st – $235,000
  • 2nd – $160,000
  • 3rd – $130,000
  • 4th – $100,000
  • 5th – $75,000
  • 6th – $47,500
  • 7th – $20,000

While this update brings good news for the participants, there is more to it than meets the eye. ESL’s restructuring will ensure that consistent participation of teams is fairly rewarded, thereby building on a broader strategy by ESL to share revenue with teams. The new revenue model has proven to be a win-win situation for teams and organisers alike.

This restructuring ensures that teams that are part of the ESL Pro Club Tour get the entire prize pool, despite IEM Cologne said to be played outside the ESL Pro Tour and as a Major with different qualification criteria.

China has been a promising location for ESL’s IEM, and after back-to-back years of success, the event will once again be held in a Chinese city that is to be announced. With the event getting a bigger prize pool, IEM China will be one for all the teams to look out for.

Free Fire MAX Esports 2025: A Landmark Year for Indian Free Fire Competitive Scene

Aditya Parsutkar
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Free Fire MAX Esports 2025: A Landmark Year for Indian Free Fire Competitive Scene

Free Fire Esports 2025 will always be remembered as a historic year for the Indian Free Fire Max community. After nearly three and a half years of waiting, Garena finally brought back official esports to India, reigniting hope among players, teams, and fans. From offline award shows to large-scale national tournaments and international exposure, 2025 marked the true comeback of Free Fire Max esports in India and laid a strong foundation for the future.

A Slow Start but Renewed Hope for Indian Free Fire Fans

The beginning of 2025 was not very exciting for Indian Free Fire fans. Since the ban of Free Fire in India, the esports scene had remained inactive, and players were uncertain about the future. Professional players and content creators had been waiting for official confirmation from Garena regarding the return of esports.

However, the situation changed completely in June 2025, when Garena made a major announcement that brought the Indian Free Fire community back into the spotlight.

Free Fire Max Booyah Awards 2025 Revived the Community

Garena announced the first-ever offline Free Fire Max Booyah Awards 2025, which were held on June 7, 2025, in Kolkata. This event played a crucial role in reactivating the Free Fire ecosystem in India.

The awards honored streamers, esports players, casters, community pages, and content creators who had supported the game over the years. More than just an award ceremony, the Booyah Awards sent a clear message that Garena was committed to rebuilding Free Fire esports in India.

Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 Marks the Official Esports Comeback

\Soon after the awards, Garena officially announced the return of competitive Free Fire esports with the Free Fire Max India Cup 2025 (FFMIC 2025). After a long wait of 3.5 years, Indian players finally received a proper national-level tournament.

FFMIC 2025 featured a massive prize pool of ₹1 crore and followed an open-for-all format, allowing teams from across India to participate through open qualifiers. This tournament became the starting point of a new era for Free Fire Max esports in the country.

Entry of Major Esports Organizations into Free Fire Max

One of the biggest highlights of FFMIC 2025 was the entry of top Indian esports organizations into the Free Fire Max scene. Teams like S8UL, GodLike Esports, and Revenant XSpark made their debut, instantly increasing the competitive level and visibility of the game.

The FFMIC 2025 Grand Finals, held on September 27 and 28 at the Ekana International Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, delivered high-intensity action. Total Gaming Esports, led by Ajjubhai, dominated the event by winning both the Battle Royale and Clash Squad trophies, creating history in Indian Free Fire esports.

Read More: Free Fire India Launch Date 2026: Why FF India Release Is Not Expected Anytime Soon This Year

Free Fire Max Asia Invitational 2025 Brings International Exposure

Garena further strengthened the esports ecosystem by announcing the Free Fire Max Asia Invitational 2025 in November. This international online tournament featured 23 teams from across Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Thailand-based AVIDA Esports emerged as the champions of the tournament. Indian teams delivered strong performances, with GodLike Esports narrowly missing out on the Battle Royale title and NS Pros finishing as runners-up in the Clash Squad mode. Despite being away from international competition for years, Indian teams proved they could still compete at a high level.

S8UL Qualifies for Global Championship Finals

Another major achievement for Indian Free Fire esports in 2025 was S8UL Elite’s qualification for the Lidoma Endless Series 2025 Global Championship Finals. S8UL became the only Indian team to qualify for the finals, which are set to take place in Abu Dhabi.

At the global stage, S8UL will represent India against some of the world’s best teams, including Team Falcons, Buriram United Esports, LOUD, AVIDA, and Rainbow7. This qualification highlighted the steady growth and global potential of Indian Free Fire teams.

What to Expect from Free Fire Esports in 2026

With such a strong comeback in 2025, expectations for Free Fire Esports 2026 are extremely high. Fans are hoping for more official tournaments, a structured esports roadmap, consistent international exposure, and long-term support for players and organizations.

If Garena continues to invest in the Indian ecosystem with the same momentum, 2026 could become an even bigger year for Free Fire Max esports in India.

Free Fire Esports 2025 was not just a comeback year; it was the beginning of a new chapter for Indian Free Fire Max competitive gaming. From national tournaments and offline events to international participation, the year restored confidence in the scene and gave players a reason to dream again. The foundation laid in 2025 has set the stage for a promising and competitive future.

Where to Find Rusted Gear in Arc Raiders

Sonu Banerjee
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0
Where to Find Rusted Gear in Arc Raiders

The Rusted Gear in Arc Raiders is easily one of the most sought-after loot items in the entire game, even though it seemingly serves no real purpose and doesn’t craft into anything valuable. However, it is one of the three key components required to get your Gunsmith to level 3, which gives you access to crafting some real firepower.

The best weapons of Arc Raiders are locked behind the highest-level Gunsmith, and getting your workbenches to level 3 is no small feat in this extraction shooter. Upgrading your Gunsmith from level 2 to 3 requires players to put in 3x Rusted Gear, 5x Advanced Mechanical Components, and 4x Sentinel Firing Cores. While Sentinel Firing Cores aren’t exactly the easiest things to find in your raids, Rusted Gears are far trickier to get due to not having fixed spawns.

It’s not uncommon for players to go for days without finding a single piece of Rusted Gear in their raids. However, once you know where to look, getting this valuable resource becomes a whole lot easier.

In this guide, we’ll showcase the best locations to find Rusted Gear in Arc Raiders.

Arc Raiders Rusted Gear Locations

While you can find Rusted Gear in almost any map in the game, playing Night Raids on Blue Gate is by far the most efficient way of getting these items. Make sure to have a couple of Safe Pockets in your loadout, though, as Blue Gate Night Raids also have the largest amount of Arc patrol and PvPers compared to any other map.

Once you load in, make your way to the Checkpoint area of the map and start breaching any car you see. The underground route through the tunnels is filled with cars that can be breached, and by the end of the route, you should be able to take at least a couple of Rusted Gears with you back home. Doing this also has a good chance of netting you some Light Bulbs along the way, which you’ll need for your Expedition. Be wary, though, that area also has a chance to spawn a Bastion and a Bombardier, alongside your regular Hornets, Wasps, Fireballs, Ticks, and Pops.

If you don’t want to play Blue Gate, you can find Rusted Gear in other maps as well.

Rusted Gear is a blue-tier loot that can be found in Industrial areas of any map. While players usually have the most luck finding them inside breached cars, you can also find them simply lying around and inside certain containers.

Below, we’ve listed all the locations across every map where you can find Rusted Gear in Arc Raiders.

Dam Battlegrounds

  • Scrap Yard
  • Water Treatment Control
  • Power Generation Complex

Buried City

  • Warehouse
  • Marano Station
  • Parking Garage

Spaceport

  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Container Storage
  • Rocket Assembly

The aforementioned locations in Buried City and Spaceport are also generally great places to find Rusted Gears. While the Dam locations are also known to drop Rusted Gears, their drop rates might be lower than the other places shown in this guide.

Is Taylor Swift Coming to Fortnite

Aritra Patra
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0
Is Taylor Swift Coming to Fortnite

Taylor Swift remains the number one requested artist on Fortnite, but despite years of rumors sparked by memes, dataminers, and fans, nothing has materialized. Now that December 2025 has arrived, nothing has been confirmed on either side about this long-rumored fusion that leaves the Swiftie faithful with this question: What is taking so long?

The confusion partly arose from the release of Swift’s 2024 track “Fortnight” (feat. Post Malone), which made the Fortnite community excited. “The Tortured Poets Department” was the title track that dominated streaming services, shattering the record for the most-played song in a day on Spotify. Although the title of the song immediately ignited crossovers between “Fortnite” theories on the internet, the song has never resulted in a gaming event.

​However, recent trends indicate that momentum may be gaining speed. Dataminers have discovered that unused assets similar to their “Reputation” look may be lurking inside Chapter 6 files, and roadmaps containing information about unspecified positions as “pop superstars” may soon become available for the Festival seasons of early 2026. The update regarding Apple Music integration included “major music collabs,” although her representatives have formed collaborations with gaming platforms on other occasions, including NBA 2K25.

According to sources within Epic Games, talks have reached a standstill on issues of creative ownership. Unlike musicians with the likes of Eminem and Ariana Grande, the group around Taylor Swift seems to be tight on her image rights, particularly with how her character will be depicted in modes of play with violent elements, such as Battle Royale. Given how Taylor Swift has been rather vigilant about how her image will be used, perhaps this attitude isn’t entirely unexpected.

This is an incentive that is hard to ignore. Estimates suggest that fans would pay €50 or more per era-themed skin. So, this would generate hundreds of millions of euros. The success with mega-artists on Fortnite shows that this is an effective method.

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