Riot Games
Riot Games business and news from across the web.
Riot taunts would-be hackers using physical hardware to cheat: 'congrats to the owners of a brand new $6k…Riot Games has implemented a new anti-cheat measure for Valorant that targets hardware-based cheating, specifically Direct Memory Access (DMA) cards. This update effectively turns expensive cheating hardware into useless paperweights, with the Vanguard anti-cheat system triggering an IOMMU restart warning that renders the DMA firmware unusable, even requiring a full OS reinstall in some cases.
Valorant's new Vanguard update seems to be bricking cheaters' PCs. Riot's response? "Congrats on your $6k paperweights"Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat software has been updated, with reports indicating it is now bricking the PCs of cheaters by rendering their DMA firmware unusable, requiring a full OS reinstall. Riot Games responded humorously to complaints, acknowledging the aggressive nature of the anti-cheat, which operates at a kernel level to prevent sophisticated cheating methods in games like Valorant and League of Legends.
Riftbound set rotation confirmed via Dave Guskin interview with Rich PhuRiftbound game director Dave Guskin detailed the physical trading card game's set rotation system in an interview with Rich Phu. The first rotation will occur with Set 10 in early 2028, removing Proving Grounds, Origins, and all 2026 sets. Riot Games plans to maintain a separate format for older cards to preserve collector value and player investment.
ToxMod vs GGWP: Which AI Moderation Tool Is Actually Better? (2026) | TAGThis analysis compares ToxMod by Modulate and GGWP, two leading AI moderation tools for the gaming industry. ToxMod specializes in real-time voice chat analysis, significantly reducing toxicity in games like Call of Duty. GGWP offers a broader platform, focusing on reputation scoring across text, voice, and gameplay behavior to influence matchmaking. While not direct competitors, both tools represent significant advancements over previous moderation methods, with ToxMod excelling in voice and GGWP offering a more comprehensive community management solution, especially with its integration via Unity Vivox for smaller studios.
This indie dev's dungeon crawling 'descent into madness' was inspired by motherly loveIndie developer Christopher Yabsley is creating Heathen, a dark fantasy dungeon crawler inspired by a cherished childhood memory of playing Diablo with his mother. The game will feature first-person combat, randomized loot, and online co-op, with an early access release planned for Steam.
Dungeons & Dragons Game by Giant Skull Has Been CancelledHasbro, through its subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, has cancelled a Dungeons & Dragons game being developed by Giant Skull due to the termination of their publishing deal. Industry veteran Stig Asmussen, founder of Giant Skull, confirmed the cancellation and is seeking new publishing partners. The game was not intended to be a successor to the Baldur's Gate franchise.
Gayming Awards 2026 Reveals Hosts, Guests, And Early Award WinnersThe Gayming Awards 2026 will celebrate queer geek culture on June 8, hosted by Erika Ishii and Dawn. Trixie Mattel will receive the LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award, and Darion Lowenstein will be honored with the Gayming Icon Award for his work in authentic LGBTQ+ representation in gaming. The event will feature various segments, including a D&D-style scene, a ranking of video game characters, a custom PC build giveaway, and a reunion of the 'Gaymer Guys'.
Voice Chat Safety: The Practical Guide for Online Gamers (2026) | TAGThis guide provides practical advice for online gamers on managing voice chat safety in 2026, addressing the uneven implementation of AI monitoring across various games. It details different voice chat configurations like 'Voice Off,' 'Party-Only Voice,' 'Push-to-Talk,' and 'Open Mic, Active Muting,' and offers specific settings for popular titles such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite. The article also discusses the privacy implications of voice chat and recommends using platforms like Discord as a safer alternative for communication.
Canadian Gamers Are Bringing Sports Style Prediction Habits Into Competitive GamingCanadian gamers are increasingly applying sports betting prediction habits to esports, driven by the growth of competitive gaming and accessible mobile play. Meanwhile, the design of mobile apps, including those for casinos, now heavily incorporates game-like pacing and reward systems to maintain user engagement. Separately, Nebraska is suing Roblox, alleging systemic failures to protect children from predators and deceptive marketing practices, a lawsuit echoed by other states and highlighting concerns about child safety in online gaming platforms.
D4vd's League of Legends Arcane song seemingly removed from the official soundtrack on SpotifyRiot Games has seemingly removed D4vd's song 'Remember Me' from the official Spotify soundtrack for Arcane Season 2 following the artist's arrest and murder charges. The song, which played a significant role in the show's narrative, is no longer present on the streaming platform. This action mirrors similar decisions by fashion brands and other artists to distance themselves from the musician.
New TFT patch takes another swing at its reroll meta, and the reworked Morgana will beef up your frontlineTeamfight Tactics patch 17.3 introduces significant rebalancing to address the current reroll meta, with changes affecting units across all cost tiers. Notably, Morgana has been reworked into a four-cost Magic Tank, aiming to bolster frontline durability. The patch also includes adjustments to augments and traits like Anima Squad and Marauder, with the goal of promoting more diverse strategies and reducing the dominance of low-cost reroll compositions.
League of Legends patch 26.10 changes up minion aggro, and Riot's not having any of your complaintsLeague of Legends patch 26.10 has significantly altered minion aggro mechanics, removing the priority list that allowed players to manipulate minion targeting. This change, intended to make the game more approachable, has sparked backlash from the community, particularly among higher-level players and professionals who relied on these mechanics for wave management. Riot Games Director of Product Drew Levin acknowledged the community's concerns, suggesting a potential reintroduction of elements like turn speed and minion denial.
Katsuhiro Harada Joins SNK to Head New VS Studio - GameHauntKatsuhiro Harada, the acclaimed producer behind the Tekken series, has officially joined SNK as CEO of the newly formed VS Studio SNK. This move marks the end of his 31-year tenure at Bandai Namco. The new studio, located in Tokyo, aims to develop skill-based action games with a focus on modern technology and open workflows, though Harada warns that major releases will take time.
Valorant patch incoming, and it is nerf central – here’s what’s in v12.09Riot Games has released Valorant patch 12.09, focusing on significant balance changes for agents and weapons. Neon's mobility has been adjusted to reduce her evasiveness, and shotguns are now less accurate while moving, jumping, or using ropes. The Bucky, Judge, and Shorty shotguns have also received specific nerfs. Additionally, the patch includes improvements to the text evaluation system for detecting abusive chat and adds support for AMD Anti-Lag 2 on PC.
Riot clarifies Trainwreck's Valorant ban: "This wasn't just a five-stack with friends on their own accounts"Riot Games has clarified the reason behind the month-long Valorant ban issued to streamer Tyler 'Trainwreck' Faraz Nikam. The ban was not for playing with friends, but for teaming up with an Immortal player who was using multiple smurf accounts to manipulate matchmaking. This player, who had prior boosting bans, was swapping between accounts they did not own, directly violating Riot's terms of service regarding account boosting.
Is Digital Currency Changing the Way We Review and Play New Games?Digital currency and microtransactions are fundamentally changing how games are reviewed and played, shifting focus from physical discs to in-game economies and instant purchases. This trend influences everything from early reviews, which now often analyze currency systems and value, to player engagement with early access, season passes, and cosmetic upgrades. The article highlights how transparency in pricing and fairness of digital currency models are becoming as crucial as gameplay and graphics for player satisfaction and critical reception.
Step Into The Jungle In Riftbound: Unleashed, Available NowRiot Games' physical trading card game, Riftbound: The League of Legends Trading Card Game, has launched its third set, Riftbound: Unleashed. This new set introduces over 220 cards, 12 new champions, and mechanics like XP and Ambush. The release is part of Riftbound's 2026 roadmap, with two more sets, Vendetta and Radiance, scheduled for later this year.
Valorant's Neon is losing some pep from her step, and shotguns haven't escaped the nerf hammerRiot Games is implementing significant balance changes in Valorant, targeting the agent Neon and shotguns. These adjustments aim to align agent abilities with the game's core design philosophy and address overpowered weapon mechanics. Further buffs to Sentinel and Initiator classes are planned for a future patch.
Riftbound Unleashed Review: The Vault is a must-buy, but Booster Boxes still have a Legend problemThe review of Riftbound Unleashed highlights the new set's improvements, particularly the value offered by the Unleashed Vaults for acquiring epic cards. However, it notes that Booster Boxes and the prevalence of Legend cards continue to be an issue, similar to the previous set. Rule clarifications also present a challenge for players, though the overall direction of the game is seen as positive.
Riftbound: Unleashed Review – Riot’s TCG Keeps Getting BetterRiftbound: Unleashed, the third expansion for Riot Games' Trading Card Game based on League of Legends, is set to release on May 8th. This expansion introduces over 200 new cards, new mechanics like XP and Leveling, and two preconstructed decks featuring champions Vi and Vex. The review highlights the game's evolving complexity, engaging mechanics, and impressive artwork, making it a compelling hobby for both TCG enthusiasts and fans of the League of Legends IP.