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Valorant patch incoming, and it is nerf central – here’s what’s in v12.09
Riot 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 Now
Riot 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 hammer
Riot 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 problem
The 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 Better
Riftbound: 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.
Valorant's Neon is going to Riot jail due to a bug, and she's coming back next patch a changed agent
Riot Games is temporarily disabling the agent Neon in Valorant due to a game-breaking bug affecting competitive integrity, primarily on PC. The studio also announced that Neon will receive balance changes in the upcoming Patch 12.09 to address overpowered aspects of her kit, aiming to adjust her mobility and combat effectiveness.
If you didn't get a chance to play League of Legends' Demacia Rising minigame, now you can
The League of Legends minigame Demacia Rising, a turn-based strategy and city-builder hybrid, is now fully playable via the official LoL Wiki. Despite initial technical issues at launch, the game offers a deep lore experience and browser-based gameplay for fans interested in exploring Runeterra's history.
Valorant pulls Neon after Fast Lane exploit breaks competitive play
Riot Games has temporarily disabled the agent Neon in Valorant on PC due to a graphics exploit tied to her Fast Lane ability that compromised competitive integrity. Neon will be unavailable until Patch 12.09, which will also include balance adjustments to her kit. The studio has not provided an exact release date for the patch.
gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking results
gamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, exceeding 154,000 visitors and marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year. The event facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business and solidifying its role as a key platform for the South American games industry. Major companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and PlayStation showcased over 400 games, including more than 60 new releases.
gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking results
gamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, attracting over 154,000 visitors and showcasing more than 400 games. The event also facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business, solidifying its role as a key business platform for the Latin American games industry.
The full League of Legends patch 26.10 preview is here, and I fear Naafiri still has that dog in her
Riot Games has previewed League of Legends Patch 26.10, which includes nerfs to Naafiri and Zed, alongside adjustments for Galio, Ambessa, Anivia, Shyvana, and Ashe. The patch also reverts a 2014 change to Lee Sin's Safeguard ability, making it more versatile. Despite some nerfs, Naafiri is expected to remain strong due to item interactions and a light touch on her passive.
MindsEye Studio Hit With New Round of Layoffs, Reportedly Affecting Around 170 Workers
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly laid off around 170 employees, reducing its workforce to approximately 80. This follows a previous round of layoffs in March, which CEO Mark Gerhard attributed to espionage and sabotage. Several former employees have spoken out about the redundancies and alleged spying software used by the company.
Valorant's latest patch brings heartbreaking Sage lore update, and the rework rumors are looking more likely
Valorant's latest patch, 12.08, introduces new lore detailing Sage's powers slowly crystallizing her body, leading to her being put on mandatory bed rest. This update, coupled with previous hints and her declining pick rate in professional play, fuels speculation about an upcoming rework for the popular healer character.
The latest League of Legends patch preview tells me what I already knew about those alternative builds
League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt Leung-Harrison has previewed upcoming patch changes, discussing the viability of alternative character builds. While players are experimenting with off-meta builds like AP Ezreal and AP Irelia, the article suggests these builds are currently too weak and often result in a lower win rate, despite some players finding success with them.
Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on
The current state of MMORPGs in 2026 is frustrating due to a lack of new titles and constant changes to existing ones, leaving players reliant on older games. This situation is attributed to the conflict between the long development cycles of MMOs and the short-term profit demands of shareholders, leading to cancellations and instability within the genre.
Is League of Legends Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
League of Legends is undeniably toxic, with 70% of matches containing some form of negative behavior, though extreme hate speech is rare. Riot Games has implemented significant moderation tools like GATES and Vanguard, alongside an overhauled Honor system, to combat toxicity. While these measures have improved the player experience, structural issues like team dependency and ranked stakes continue to foster friction, making the game manageable for adult players but requiring defensive strategies.
Gamescom Latam shows Brazil's dev scene has huge potential, but it's waiting for a spark | Opinion
Gamescom Latam in São Paulo highlights Brazil's growing game development scene, which possesses strong industry infrastructure and government support frameworks. However, a significant lack of funding and investment is hindering its potential to reach the next level, with industry figures emphasizing the need for financial incentives and tax breaks to attract further investment and foster growth.
TFT Players Discover Secret Zed vs Shen Fight Animation in New Lore Easter Egg | HappyGamer
Teamfight Tactics players have discovered a hidden animation where the champions Zed and Shen fight each other during drake encounters, referencing their deep-seated rivalry from League of Legends lore. This detail, celebrated by the community, highlights Riot Games' ongoing efforts to integrate the game's narrative into its gameplay mechanics. The animation is purely cosmetic and does not affect the outcome of battles.
