News - Page 14

Counter-Strike 2's release in September 2023 was met with great anticipation, but almost a year on, the game is struggling with a persistent issue that plagues many online competitive platforms: cheaters. MOUZ’s torzsi, during a guest appearance on the HLTV Confirmed talk show on June 24, shed light on the severity of the situation, especially within CS2’s Premier mode.

Natus Vincere, the Ukrainian esports juggernaut, is making a striking comeback to the competitive Call of Duty arena after a noticeable absence of almost three years. However, this time around, they're taking a different route by adopting an Australian trio to represent them in the upcoming million-dollar Esports World Cup Warzone tournament.

Riot Games is switching up the esports landscape with a significant rule change for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), particularly affecting the newly promoted Ascension teams. This shake-up, set to take effect in 2025, is designed to inject even more competition and excitement into the already dynamic VCT scene.

Evil Geniuses, a name synonymous with esports excellence and innovation, marks a significant milestone in its illustrious journey. As the organization turns 25, it's not just looking back at its storied past but also setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting future. In a move that has sent waves of nostalgia and excitement through the esports community, Evil Geniuses announced the return of its "original beloved logo," signaling a reconnection with its roots and a fresh commitment to its core values.

The LEC, Europe's crown jewel in the League of Legends competitive scene, is reportedly facing a crisis of identity and appeal. Long-time fans of the tournament are voicing their concerns, fearing that the league is "losing its charm" and struggling to provide compelling reasons to tune into weekly livestreams. This sentiment has been brewing among the community, with a pivotal Reddit discussion on June 17 highlighting the core issues plaguing the league, from its format changes to the recent layoffs at Riot Games, further exacerbating fans' disillusionment.

In a surprising turn of events, Team Liquid's Counter-Strike 2 team has announced the benching of sniper Casper “cadiaN” Møller, signaling a major shift in the team’s lineup amidst a challenging 2024 season. The decision comes after a series of underwhelming performances and missed opportunities for the squad, leading to speculation about further changes on the horizon.

In an era where esports is not just a pastime but a viable career path, the League of Legends scene is facing a rather unexpected challenge—a potential shortage of upcoming talent. Arnold Hur, the CEO of Gen.G, an organization that has been making waves in the international esports scene, recently voiced his concerns about the dwindling talent pipeline for League of Legends, even in a region as historically competitive as Korea.

The esports scene witnessed a thrilling CIS derby as Team Spirit clinched a straightforward victory over NAVI in the grand final of the BLAST Premier Spring Finals. This victory not only cements Spirit's position as a formidable force in the competitive Counter-Strike arena but also highlights Aleksib's continued struggles in best-of-five grand finals.

The countdown to Dota 2's most anticipated event of the year, The International 2024 (TI24), has begun, setting the esports world abuzz. With six teams having already carved their path to the grand stage through direct invites, the battle for the remaining 10 spots is about to get fierce. These spots will be fiercely contested through the regional closed qualifiers across the globe, spanning Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, North America, South America, and Southeast Asia. No stone will be left unturned as teams vie for the opportunity to compete in what is arguably the pinnacle of the Dota circuit.

The International (TI), Dota 2's crown jewel event, is on the horizon for 2024. Slated to unfold in the scenic city of Copenhagen, Denmark, this September, the tournament is gearing up to be a battleground where 16 elite teams vie for the championship title. This year, the competition heats up with a revamped format that reintroduces invites alongside open qualifiers, leveling the playing field and igniting hopes across the global Dota 2 community.

In a move that has the VALORANT community buzzing, NRG Esports made significant changes to its roster, notably benching Demon1, who was pivotal in their Champions 2023 victory. This decision has drawn criticism from 100 Thieves' in-game leader (IGL), Boostio, who expressed his reservations during a Twitch stream. According to Boostio, benching his former Evil Geniuses teammate was a mistake, pointing out that NRG's new lineup lacks the necessary firepower for long-term success.

League of Legends, a titan in the esports arena, has once again found itself at the center of controversy. This time, it revolves around the release of the Hall of Legends Ahri skin, dedicated to the legendary player Faker. Despite the anticipation and the prestige of repping a skin associated with one of esports' most iconic figures, the community's response has been anything but celebratory. Here's a closer look at the unfolding drama and its broader implications for the League of Legends ecosystem.

In the ever-evolving world of esports and gaming, the recent announcement by Riot Games about the introduction of the Hall of Legends skin bundle has certainly caused a stir within the League of Legends community. The bundle, which features cosmetics celebrating iconic pro players, has been labeled as the game's most expensive yet. This move by Riot Games has opened a floodgate of debates among players and fans alike, with opinions sharply divided over the implications of such high-priced virtual goods.

Pokémon Go's recent Shared Skies update has brought with it a whirlwind of changes for the Battle League, marking one of the most significant shifts in competitive play to date. At the heart of this transformation is the nerfing of Scald, a move that had become a source of frustration for many players, particularly those competing at the European International Championships (EUIC) 2024. Prior to the nerf, Scald had a relatively high chance of lowering the opponent's attack, making it a staple in many competitive strategies. However, with its effectiveness reduced by 30%, the move's reliability has waned, prompting players to rethink their approach to battle.

The chess world has been rife with controversy lately, and at the heart of the storm is former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. Known not just for his prowess on the board but also for his outspoken stance on potential cheating in online tournaments, Kramnik has found himself in the spotlight for reasons beyond his chess legacy. His latest endeavor, a specifically arranged match against a junior player he accused of unfair play, ended in a loss and further controversy, highlighting the growing tensions and challenges facing the chess community in the digital age.

Portland Regional champion Alex Underhill brought an electrifying twist to the Pokémon North America International Championship (NAIC) this weekend, employing a highly unique Electabuzz-based team that turned heads and defied expectations. Accompanied by an intriguing lineup including Annihilape, Farigiraf, Smeargle, Bloodmoon Ursaluna, and Ice Rider Calyrex, Underhill achieved an impressive top-16 finish. This remarkable feat was showcased during his Swiss round 13 match against Michael Zhang, who also opted for off-meta selections like Galarian Moltres.