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Arc System Responds to Marvel Tokon PC Performance Issues

Marvel Tokon PC performance issues have triggered a wave of backlash just two days after the fighting game’s official launch. Developer Arc System Works confirmed on X that it is investigating reports of low frame rates, lag, and other technical problems affecting the PC version.

The response comes as Marvel Tokon faces thousands of negative Steam reviews, with many players blaming Sony PlayStation’s anti-cheat and login systems for the rocky performance.

Here’s what Arc System Works said, why players are review-bombing the game, and what led up to the launch-day backlash.

Marvel Tokon PC Performance Issues: What Arc System Works Said

Marvel Tokon launched on August 6, 2026, and Arc System Works addressed the growing complaints in a short statement on X.

“Thank you for an amazing launch day. Seeing you all jump into the fight has been unreal. We’re aware that some PC players are experiencing performance issues. The team is actively investigating these reports. Please keep your feedback coming in, it helps,” the developer wrote.

Arc System Works did not specify what is causing the performance problems or when a fix will arrive. The studio only confirmed that it is looking into player reports.

Why Marvel Tokon Is Being Review-Bombed on Steam

Since launch, Marvel Tokon has picked up a “Mixed” rating on Steam, with thousands of negative reviews. Players report low frame rates, lag, and connection issues on the PC version.

One reviewer described their GPU sitting at 20-30% usage while the CPU stayed maxed out, pointing to background PlayStation services and anti-cheat software as the cause. Other players say the game struggles to launch at all, with some blaming the always-online PlayStation account requirement.

Linux players have reported particular trouble getting into matches, according to multiple outlets covering the launch.

Marvel Tokon PSN Login Backlash

A recurring complaint centers on Marvel Tokon’s mandatory PlayStation Network account login on PC. Several Steam and X users say the PSN sign-in process runs extra background instances that strain CPU performance, on top of the game’s anti-cheat system.

Players have called for the PSN login requirement to be removed or optimized, alongside fixes to the game’s anti-cheat for SteamOS.

Beta Warning Signs Before Launch

Marvel Tokon’s PC problems are not new. During the game’s open beta two weeks earlier, players reported similar issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and high CPU usage.

At the time, speculation pointed to PlayStation’s anti-tampering and anti-datamining measures as a possible cause. Game developer Ryn, who goes by “WistfulHopes” on X, reported that the beta was heavily locked down compared to other fighting games, though Ryn later clarified they could not confirm whether the PSN login or the anti-cheat software was directly responsible.

Ryn also noted that Marvel Tokon appears to lean heavily on single-core CPU performance, meaning PCs with weaker individual cores may struggle even with a high core count.

Arc System Works had acknowledged the beta issues and shared temporary workarounds, including turning off Nvidia Frame Generation and disabling overlay software, but the full launch shows some of the same problems persisting.

Marvel Tokon Player Numbers on Steam

Marvel Tokon’s day-one Steam player count landed at around 25 thousands. That is roughly half the 44,303 peak day-one players Arc System Works’ Dragon Ball FighterZ drew on Steam back in 2018.

Since Marvel Tokon is also available on PlayStation 5, a portion of the player base is likely playing on console rather than PC.

For now, Arc System Works has only confirmed that it is investigating the reported performance issues. The studio has not announced a timeline for a patch.

Fortnite Gem Sprite Power Hour: Starting Date and Time for All Regions

Fortnite Gem Sprite Power Hour returns on Saturday, August 8, 2026, giving players two separate windows to hunt for the recently added Gem Sprite variants at boosted spawn rates. Epic Games has scheduled the event in two two-hour sessions, running from 2 PM to 4 PM ET and again from 9 PM to 11 PM ET. The Power Hour follows the August 6 release of eight new Gem Sprites, which brought the total Gem collection to nine variants.

Here is when the event starts in every major region, along with the bonuses players can expect during both sessions.

Fortnite Gem Sprite Power Hour Start Time

The Fortnite Gem Sprite Power Hour runs twice on August 8, 2026. The first session goes from 2 PM to 4 PM ET (6 PM to 8 PM UTC). The second session goes from 9 PM to 11 PM ET (1 AM to 3 AM UTC on August 9).

Each window lasts 2 hours, giving players 4 hours in total to search for Gem Sprites while spawn rates are increased.

Start Timings for All Regions

Since Epic Games runs the event on a fixed UTC schedule, the local start time varies by region. Players in India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia will need to check local time on August 9 for the second session.

RegionSession 1Session 2
Australia (AEST)4:00 AM โ€“ 6:00 AM (Aug 9)11:00 AM โ€“ 1:00 PM (Aug 9)
India (IST)11:30 PM โ€“ 1:30 AM (Aug 9)6:30 AM โ€“ 8:30 AM (Aug 9)
US West (PT)11:00 AM โ€“ 1:00 PM6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
Middle East (GST)10:00 PM โ€“ 12:00 AM5:00 AM โ€“ 7:00 AM (Aug 9)
UK (BST)7:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM2:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 AM (Aug 9)
Japan / South Korea (JST/KST)3:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 AM (Aug 9)10:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM (Aug 9)
US East (ET)2:00 PM โ€“ 4:00 PM9:00 PM โ€“ 11:00 PM
Central Europe (CEST)8:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM3:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 AM (Aug 9)

For most players in the US and Europe, the first session lands during normal evening hours. Players in India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia get their first shot at boosted rates in the early morning hours of August 9 local time.

Gem Sprite Power Hour Bonuses

Alongside the higher Gem Sprite spawn rate, Epic Games is adding several extra modifiers for both sessions. Every player starts a match with a Self-Revive Device already in their inventory.

The Mythic loot pool is also active throughout the event, increasing the chance of finding Mythic weapons and items. Chests also have a chance to contain a Mythic Goldfish during both windows.

Why This Gem Sprite Power Hour Matters

Fortnite added 8 new Gem Sprite variants on August 6, 2026, as part of the weekly New Sprite Day refresh. A ninth variant, Gem Llama, had already been available since July 30 through Relic Chests.

The new lineup includes Gem Water, Gem Earth, Gem Demon, Gem Duck, Gem Aura, Gem Punk, Gem Zero Point, and Gem Grim. Among these, Gem Zero Point and Gem Grim are considered the hardest to obtain, since they depend on rare Sprite Chest or Relic Chest drops during normal matches.

The August 8 Power Hour gives players their best chance to fill out the remaining Gem Sprites before Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 ends on August 19, 2026.

Waylay Disabled From Valorant Once Again Due to Bugs

Waylay has been temporarily disabled from the Valorant Agent roster once again after a bug involving her Saturate ability surfaced on social media forums.

The latest removal comes just days after Waylay returned to Valorant on August 4, following her initial removal on July 31 due to a separate bug involving her signature ability, Refract. This marks the second time in less than two weeks that players have been unable to pick Waylay because of a game-breaking bug.

While the Refract bug has seemingly been fixed by Riot, players started reporting a new bug involving her Saturate ability, which has once again forced the developers to temporarily disable Waylay from the game.

The bug in question enables Waylay to hit enemies with her Saturate through invulnerability, a likely unintended interaction. Typically, when an Agent is invulnerable, they are immune to all forms of damage and negative status effects like blind, stun, or slow.

โ€œThere’s a few more issues with Waylay’s abilities, and we’re disabling her to take a closer look at the bugs,โ€ Riot dev Tiffy said in a statement.

Note that, unlike last time, the devs have not revealed the exact bug that prompted Waylayโ€™s removal.

When Will Waylay Return to Valorant?

Unfortunately, Riot Games hasnโ€™t confirmed when exactly Waylay will be returning to the Valorant Agent roster.

Given that her previous removal lasted only a few days, fans can likely expect Waylay to be back in the game within roughly a week, provided Riot is able to resolve the latest bug.

Live EWC PUBG Mobile Points Table Group B Day 1: Check PMWC 2026 Standings

Live EWC PUBG Mobile points table: The EWC PUBG Mobile 2026 Group B action is about to begin, with 16 teams competing for a place in the Grand Finals. The group features some of the biggest names in PUBG Mobile esports, including Alpha7 Esports, Team Vitality, GodLike Esports, S2G Esports, Tianba, NS RedForce, Wolves Esports, and more.

Group B will play its first six matches today, August 8, with the remaining six matches scheduled for August 9. This page will provide the live EWC PUBG Mobile standings and EWC PUBG Mobile points table after every game.

EWC PUBG Mobile Points Table Group B Day 1

For DAY 4 Points Table of Godlike, Click Here: PMWC 2026 Points Table Day 4 Group Stage: Godlike Esports Overall Standings in Esports World Cup 2026

Note: Please refresh this page after every match to see the latest EWC PUBG Mobile points table and PMWC 2026 points table.

After Match 6/12

  • 1st Place: BTR Vitality โ€“ 108 Points
  • 2nd Place: NS RedForce โ€“ 60 Points
  • 3rd Place: Horaa Esports โ€“ 59 Points
  • 4th Place: eArena โ€“ 58 Points
  • 5th Place: Godlike Esports โ€“ 37 Points
  • 6th Place: S2G Esports โ€“ 35 Points
  • 7th Place: Yangon Galacticos โ€“ 34 Points
  • 8th Place: IDA Esports โ€“ 29 Points
  • 9th Place: Wolves โ€“ 26 Points
  • 10th Place: Alpha7 Esports โ€“ 26 Points
  • 11th Place: Tianba โ€“ 24 Points
  • 12th Place: TT Project โ€“ 23 Points
  • 13th Place: DOPENESS โ€“ 19 Points
  • 14th Place: ETSH Esports โ€“ 15 Points
  • 15th Place: 721 GS Esports โ€“ 13 Points
  • 16th Place: Hustler Crew โ€“ 11 Points

PMWC 2026 points table as Group B Day 1

EWC PUBG Mobile Group B Day 1 Schedule

The first day of Group B will feature six matches across three maps.

MatchMapTime (IST)
Match 1Rondo4:30 PM
Match 2Erangel5:20 PM
Match 3Erangel6:10 PM
Match 4Erangel7:00 PM
Match 5Miramar7:50 PM
Match 6Miramar8:40 PM

The remaining six matches will be played on August 9, completing the 12-match Group B schedule.

What to expect from Group B Day 1

Group B is packed with experienced teams, so the opening six matches could create a very close points table. Teams will be looking for a strong start because only the top five after all 12 matches will receive direct qualification to the Grand Finals.

GodLike Esports will be the main team to watch for Indian fans. The Indian squad will need consistent placement points and eliminations to stay near the top of the EWC PUBG Mobile standings.

Alpha7 Esports, Team Vitality, S2G Esports, Tianba and NS RedForce are also expected to compete for the leading positions.

PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 Group B Teams

The 16 teams competing in Group B are:

  • Alpha7 Esports
  • Team Vitality
  • DOPENESS
  • eArena
  • ETSH Esports
  • GodLike Esports
  • GS Team
  • Horaa Esports
  • Hustler Crew
  • IDA Esports
  • NS RedForce
  • S2G Esports
  • Tianba
  • TT Project
  • Wolves Esports
  • Yangon Galacticos

PMWC 2026 Group Stage Format

The PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 Group Stage features 32 teams divided into two groups of 16 teams.

Each group will play 12 matches across two matchdays.

After all matches are completed:

  • Top 5 teams qualify directly for the Grand Finals.
  • Teams finishing 6th to 13th advance to the Survival Stage.
  • Bottom 3 teams are eliminated.

This makes every match important, especially for teams fighting around the fifth-place qualification line.

Where to Watch EWC PUBG Mobile Group B

Fans can watch the Group B matches live through the following platforms:

PlatformLanguage
PUBG Mobile Esports YouTubeEnglish
EWC_IND YouTubeHindi
Esports World Cup YouTubeEnglish
Esports World Cup TwitchEnglish

TalkEsport will update this EWC PUBG Mobile points table after every match with the latest team standings. Make sure to refresh the page after each game to check the updated EWC PUBG Mobile standings, match results and qualification picture.

Who Is the GOAT of BGMI?

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Who is the GOAT of BGMI? Based on the latest overall finisher statistics, Goblin has the strongest claim to the title. The IQOO Soul star currently sits at No. 1 with an impressive 932 finishes across 560 matches, putting him ahead of every other player on the leaderboard. His numbers also include 200 finals finishes, a 1.66 average finish, and a best performance of 210 finishes. These statistics make Goblin the clear first-ranked player in the current comparison and give him a strong statistical case for being the GOAT of BGMI.

Who Is the GOAT of BGMI? Goblin Leads the Leaderboard

Goblin is the current statistical GOAT of BGMI, according to the overall finisher numbers.

The IQOO Soul player has recorded 932 finishes in 560 matches, the highest total among the players featured in the rankings. Reaching this number while maintaining an average finish of 1.66 shows just how consistently Goblin has performed across a large sample of matches.

His numbers become even more impressive when looking at finals performances. Goblin has registered 200 finals finishes, showing that his impact has not been limited to regular matches.

Goblin’s best recorded performance in the statistics is 210 finishes, which further separates him from the other players in the rankings.

Goblin Has 932 Finishes

The biggest reason Goblin sits at No. 1 is his 932 total finishes.

That figure puts him at the top of the overall finisher leaderboard and gives him a clear statistical advantage in the GOAT debate.

What makes the number more impressive is that Goblin reached 932 finishes in 560 matches. His closest competitor in the ranking has played a similar number of matches but still remains behind him in total finishes.

This shows that Goblin has consistently delivered high-impact performances throughout his competitive career.

Goblin’s 1.66 Average Finish

Goblin’s 1.66 average finish is another important part of his profile.

Maintaining such a high average across 560 matches is difficult because players have to perform consistently over a long period rather than relying on a few standout games.

His overall numbers suggest that Goblin has combined aggression with consistency. That balance has helped him build the highest finish tally among the players included in the leaderboard.

Goblin Has 200 Finals Finishes

Goblin has also recorded 200 finals finishes, further strengthening his case.

Finals performances are particularly important when discussing the best BGMI players because they show how a player performs in high-level competitive matches.

Reaching 200 finals finishes means Goblin has continued to contribute even when the level of competition is at its highest.

His best recorded figure of 210 finishes also highlights the peak level he has reached during his career.

Why Goblin Is the BGMI GOAT

There are several reasons why Goblin can be called the GOAT of BGMI based on these statistics.

First, he has the highest overall finish count at 932. Second, he has maintained a strong 1.66 average finish across 560 matches. Third, he has reached 200 finals finishes, showing that his numbers extend into important competitive matches.

Most importantly, Goblin is not leading the leaderboard because of just 1 statistic. His overall numbers show a combination of longevity, consistency and high-level performance.

That makes him the strongest statistical choice for the BGMI GOAT title.

Goblin’s Best Performance Reached 210 Finishes

Goblin’s best recorded performance in the leaderboard stands at 210 finishes.

This is another major number when evaluating his career. While overall statistics show consistency over time, a player’s best performance shows the ceiling they can reach.

Goblin’s 210 mark demonstrates that he has been capable of producing exceptional numbers when everything comes together.

Is Goblin the Undisputed BGMI GOAT?

Based purely on the available statistics, Goblin has the strongest claim to being the BGMI GOAT.

Of course, the GOAT debate can also include tournament wins, longevity, trophies, influence and performances across different eras. Those factors can lead fans to different conclusions.

However, if the focus is specifically on the overall finisher statistics, Goblin is the clear answer.

With 932 finishes, 560 matches, a 1.66 average finish and 200 finals finishes, Goblin currently stands at the top.

For this statistical comparison, Goblin is the No. 1 BGMI player and the strongest candidate for the GOAT title.

Dota 2 EWC 2026: Team Spirit, BetBoom and Vici Gaming Keep Their Title Hopes Alive

Team Spirit, BetBoom Team and Vici Gaming kept their Esports World Cup 2026 Dota 2 campaigns alive on Wednesday after important victories in the Survival Stage. The three teams entered the day under pressure, with the remaining matches determining which squads would advance to the playoffs in Paris.

Team Spirit Beat Team Liquid

Team Spirit produced one of the day’s biggest results by defeating Team Liquid 2-1 in a closely contested best-of-three series.

Liquid had already survived an elimination match against Xtreme Gaming on July 14. However, Team Spirit proved too strong in the next round, securing the series and keeping its EWC title defense on track.

The result was particularly important for Spirit, which is competing at EWC 2026 as the defending Dota 2 champion. With the win, Spirit moved closer to another playoff appearance.

BetBoom Team Eliminate LGD Gaming

BetBoom Team also delivered when it mattered most, defeating LGD Gaming 2-0.

The result gave BetBoom a crucial victory in the Survival Stage and kept the team in contention for the EWC 2026 Dota 2 title.

LGD, meanwhile, could not recover after falling into the Survival Stage. The 2-0 defeat ended its run at the tournament.

Vici Gaming Advance After PlayTime Exit

Vici Gaming’s path to the next round took an unusual turn. Its scheduled Survival Stage match against PlayTime ended as a forfeit after PlayTime was removed from the competition.

The decision followed provisional suspensions involving PlayTime coach Juan โ€œVintageโ€ Angulo and player Oswaldo โ€œDarkMagoโ€ Herrera as the Esports Integrity Commission investigated suspected code violations. ESIC noted that no final determination of misconduct had been made at that stage.

Vici then faced 1win in its next Survival Stage match. Despite losing the series 2-1, Vici Gaming secured a playoff place and eliminated 1win from the tournament.

EWC Dota 2 Playoff Race Intensifies

With Team Spirit, BetBoom and Vici Gaming surviving the day’s action, the EWC 2026 Dota 2 playoff picture became clearer.

The tournament features 24 teams competing for a $2 million prize pool, making every Survival Stage series critical.

For Spirit, BetBoom and Vici, the next challenge will be maintaining momentum when the knockout stage begins. With several elite teams still competing, the race for the EWC Dota 2 championship remains wide open.

PMWC 2026 Group B Day 1: Timings, Teams, Maps, Format, Where to Watch, and More

The PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026 Group Stage Day 1 for Group B will be played on Saturday, 8 August 2026, at the Esports World Cup in Paris, France. India’s GodLike Esports will begin their campaign alongside top international teams such as Alpha7 Esports, Team Vitality, S2G Esports, Tianba, NS RedForce, and Wolves Esports.

A total of six matches will be played on Day 1, starting from 4:30 PM IST. Here’s everything you need to know about the PMWC 2026 Group B Day 1 schedule, teams, maps, format, and live streaming details.

PMWC 2026 Group B Day 1 schedule

MatchMapTime (IST)
Match 1Rondo4:30 PM
Match 2Erangel5:20 PM
Match 3Erangel6:10 PM
Match 4Erangel7:00 PM
Match 5Miramar7:50 PM
Match 6Miramar8:40 PM

PMWC 2026 Group B teams

The following 16 teams will compete on Day 1:

  • Alpha7 Esports
  • Team Vitality
  • DOPENESS
  • eArena
  • ETSH Esports
  • GodLike Esports (India)
  • GS Team
  • Horaa Esports
  • Hustler Crew
  • IDA Esports
  • NS RedForce
  • S2G Esports
  • Tianba
  • TT Project
  • Wolves Esports
  • Yangon Galacticos

Indian fans will be closely watching GodLike Esports, who will be aiming to join Orangutan in the PMWC 2026 Grand Finals.

PMWC 2026 Group Stage format

The PMWC 2026 Group Stage will be played from August 6 to August 9.

The tournament features 32 teams, divided equally into Group A and Group B, with each group playing 12 matches across two matchdays.

After all 12 matches are completed:

  • Top 5 teams qualify directly for the Grand Finals.
  • Teams finishing from 6th to 13th advance to the Survival Stage.
  • Bottom 3 teams are eliminated from the tournament.

With only two matchdays available, every game will be crucial in the race for direct qualification.

What to expect from Group B Day 1?

Unlike Group A, which has already completed its matches, every Group B team starts with zero points. Day 1 will play a huge role in deciding which teams gain early momentum heading into the final six matches on Day 2.

For GodLike Esports, the primary objective will be to remain inside the top five by the end of the day. Consistent placement points, smart rotations, and strong finishes will be key if the Indian squad wants to secure direct qualification to the Grand Finals without going through the Survival Stage.

Where to watch PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 Group B Day 1

Fans can watch all the matches live on the official streaming platforms:

  • PUBG Mobile Esports YouTube (English)
  • EWC_IND YouTube (Official Hindi Broadcast)
  • Esports World Cup YouTube
  • Esports World Cup Twitch

Several Indian PUBG Mobile creators are also expected to host live watch parties throughout the tournament.

TalkEsport will provide complete coverage of PMWC 2026 Group B Day 1, including live points tables, match results, standings, MVP performances, and qualification scenarios.

PMWC 2026 Grand Finals: Qualified Teams from Group A, Dates, Format, and More

The PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026 Group A matches have officially concluded, and the first five teams have secured their places in the Grand Finals. India’s Orangutan delivered an excellent performance across both matchdays to finish second with 91 points and book a direct ticket to the Finals.

Meanwhile, eight teams will now compete in the Survival Stage for another chance to reach the Grand Finals, while three teams have been eliminated from the tournament. Here’s everything you need to know. Check out the PMWC 2026 qualified teams and more.

PMWC 2026 Grand Finals qualified teams

The top five teams from Group A have qualified directly for the Grand Finals.

SeedTeam
14Thrives Esports
2Orangutan (India)
3Aurora Gaming
4Team Flash
5Nigma Galaxy
6TBD (Group B)
7TBD (Group B)
8TBD (Group B)
9TBD (Group B)
10TBD (Group B)
11TBD (Survival Stage)
12TBD (Survival Stage)
13TBD (Survival Stage)
14TBD (Survival Stage)
15TBD (Survival Stage)
16TBD (Survival Stage)

Note: The remaining five direct qualifiers will be decided after the Group B matches conclude on 9 August, while the last six Grand Finals slots will be filled through the Survival Stage.

PMWC 2026 Survival Stage teams

The teams that finished between 6th and 13th in Group A have advanced to the Survival Stage.

  • ULF Esports
  • AG.AL
  • Team GOAT
  • FURIA
  • AlUla Club
  • KRX
  • RRQ
  • Geekay Esports

More teams from Group B will join them after the Group B matches end on 9 August.

PMWC 2026 eliminated teams

The bottom three teams from Group A have been eliminated from the tournament.

  • XForce Reject
  • ThunderTalk Gaming
  • Gaming Stars

PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 Grand Finals dates

The PMWC 2026 Grand Finals will be played from 14 August to 16 August 2026 in Paris, France.

PMWC 2026 Grand Finals format

The Grand Finals will feature 16 teams.

  • Top 5 teams from Group A qualify directly.
  • Top 5 teams from Group B qualify directly.
  • Top 6 teams from the Survival Stage complete the Grand Finals lineup.

The qualified teams will compete over three days for the PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 championship and a share of the $3.025 million prize pool.

What’s next?

With Group A now complete, all eyes are on Group B, where India’s GodLike Esports will begin their campaign. The top five teams from Group B will qualify directly for the Grand Finals, while the remaining eligible teams will get one final opportunity through the Survival Stage.

TalkEsport will continue providing complete PMWC 2026 coverage, including live points tables, match recaps, schedules, standings, and Grand Finals updates.

India’s Orangutan Qualify for PMWC 2026 Grand Finals: Check Overall Standings

India’s Orangutan have officially qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026 Grand Finals after delivering an impressive performance in the Group Stage. The Indian squad ended its Group A campaign with 91 points, finishing second behind Pakistan’s 4Thrives Esports, who topped the standings with 107 points.

With this result, Orangutan have booked a direct place in the Grand Finals, while teams finishing between 6th and 13th will have to fight through the Survival Stage.

PMWC 2026 Group A final standings

RankTeamPoints
14Thrives Esports107
2Orangutan (India)91
3Aurora Gaming90
4Team Flash89
5Nigma Galaxy88
6ULF Esports83
7AG.AL79
8Team GOAT73
9FURIA73
10AlUla Club72
11KRX70
12RRQ62
13Geekay Esports57
14XForce Reject46
15ThunderTalk Gaming34
16Gaming Stars29

Orangutan’s road to the PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026 Grand Finals

Orangutan had a mixed start to the tournament on Day 1. While the team struggled in a few matches, they showed excellent consistency and ended the day with a crucial Winner Winner Chicken Dinner in the final game. That victory helped them finish Day 1 in sixth place and kept them firmly in the race for direct qualification.

Day 2 was where Orangutan truly showcased why they are considered one of India’s strongest PUBG Mobile teams.

The squad opened the day with a dominant Chicken Dinner on Rondo, collecting 11 eliminations and jumping to the top of the leaderboard. They followed it up with another strong performance in Match 2 before continuing to secure valuable placement points throughout the day. Even when they suffered early eliminations in a few games, Orangutan managed to recover through disciplined rotations and smart decision-making.

Smart rotations became Orangutan’s biggest strength

One of the biggest reasons behind Orangutan’s success was their game sense.

Instead of taking unnecessary early fights, captain Aaru repeatedly made excellent rotation calls that helped the team survive until the late game. The roster consistently found strong positions inside the safe zone while avoiding risky engagements.

Players like AKOP, Attanki, and Wizzgod also stepped up throughout the tournament with crucial eliminations and clutch moments that earned valuable points for the team.

A perfect response to last year’s criticism

After the 2025 PMGC, Orangutan received criticism from fans for playing a passive style. However, PMWC 2026 has shown a different side of the Indian roster.

The team balanced aggressive fights with disciplined survival, proving they can adapt to different situations against the world’s best PUBG Mobile teams. Their consistent performances over both matchdays eventually secured direct qualification to the Grand Finals.

What’s next?

With Group A now complete, Orangutan will head directly to the PMWC 2026 Grand Finals, where they will battle the world’s top teams for the championship title.

Meanwhile, India’s second representative, GodLike Esports, will begin their Group B campaign as they look to join Orangutan in the Grand Finals.

TalkEsport will continue providing complete coverage of PMWC 2026, including match recaps, points tables, schedules, standings, and Grand Finals updates.

PMWC 2026 Doping Test Explained: Why 4Thrives Esports and GOAT Team Players Were Tested

The PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2026 witnessed its first major talking point off the battlefield after the conclusion of Group Stage Day 1. Following six intense matches, reports emerged that players from 4Thrives Esports and GOAT Team were called for anti-doping tests by tournament officials.

The news quickly spread across the PUBG Mobile community, leading to speculation among fans. However, it is important to note that no player or team has been found guilty, and no official test results have been released. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation.

Why were PMWC 2026 players tested for doping?

According to reports, players from 4Thrives Esports and GOAT Team, the two highest-ranked teams after Day 1, were asked to undergo anti-doping tests after the matches concluded.

GOAT Team players also shared videos on Telegram showing parts of the testing process, confirming that the procedure took place. While similar videos have not surfaced from 4Thrives Esports, multiple reports have also mentioned the Pakistani squad as part of the testing.

At the time of writing, tournament organizers have not announced any results from these tests.

What is doping in esports?

Doping is not limited to traditional sports like cricket, football, athletics, or the Olympics. Modern esports tournaments also follow strict anti-doping policies to ensure fair competition.

In esports, doping generally refers to the use of banned performance-enhancing substances that may improve a player’s:

  • Reaction time
  • Focus
  • Alertness
  • Concentration
  • Mental endurance

Because esports relies heavily on quick decision-making and reflexes, tournament organizers conduct anti-doping tests to maintain competitive integrity.

Does PMWC 2026 have anti-doping rules?

Yes.

The PUBG Mobile World Cup 2026, which is part of the Esports World Cup 2026, follows the tournament’s official anti-doping policy.

The rules apply across all esports titles featured at the Esports World Cup, not just PUBG Mobile. Tournament officials can request players to undergo testing at any point during the competition, including after matches.

Random testing is considered a normal part of many international esports events.

No player has failed the test

One important point should be made clear.

As of now:

  • No player has tested positive.
  • No team has been penalized.
  • No official results have been published.
  • No disciplinary action has been announced.

The only confirmed information is that players were asked to undergo the testing procedure.

Until tournament organizers release an official statement, any claims about players failing a doping test remain unverified.

Day 1 performance of both teams

Both teams impressed on the opening day of PMWC 2026.

4Thrives Esports finished at the top of the Group A standings with 59 points, thanks to a series of consistent performances throughout the day.

Meanwhile, GOAT Team secured 52 points to finish second after delivering aggressive gameplay and strong late-game executions.

Their excellent performances have already made them strong contenders for direct qualification to the Grand Finals.

What happens next?

For now, the tournament continues as scheduled, with all eyes shifting to Group Stage Day 2.

If the anti-doping tests are part of the routine procedure and all results come back clear, nothing will change for the participating teams. However, should tournament organizers release any official findings or disciplinary actions in the coming days, the story could become one of the biggest developments of PMWC 2026.

TalkEsport will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if tournament officials release any official statement regarding the anti-doping tests.