Valorant
News, coverage and analysis tracking Valorant across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Steam Deck hits 30,000 compatible games, according to SteamDB
The Steam Deck has surpassed 30,000 compatible games, with over 8,900 fully verified and an additional 21,000 marked as playable according to SteamDB. While most Windows titles run well via Valve's Proton compatibility layer, games with kernel-level anti-cheat like Black Ops 7 and Valorant remain unplayable.
Riot wants to keep taking "risks" with Valorant. That's why its still alive in 2026
Valorant has maintained its relevance in the competitive FPS landscape through consistent content updates, unique agent designs, and a strong esports presence. Riot Games' commitment to innovation and community fostering has allowed the game to thrive despite the launch of competitors like Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2. The game's blend of tactical shooter and hero shooter elements, coupled with its vibrant art style, continues to attract and retain players.
Secretlab launches folding armrests for the Titan Evo, allowing guitar players and neat freaks to modify their gaming…
Secretlab has launched a new accessory for its Titan Evo gaming chair called the EasyFold Foldaway Armrest, designed to allow guitar players to play their instruments without obstruction. The armrests can be folded away parallel to the floor, and also help in tucking the chair under a desk. The accessory is available for separate purchase and can be fitted to existing Titan Evo and Classic Series chairs.
Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?
This guide outlines a PC build for approximately $1,300 in 2026, aiming to balance cost and performance amidst rising component prices. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GPU, capable of running current titles at 1080p and 1440p with medium settings and high refresh rates, and is future-proofed for upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6.
VALORANT Season 2026 Act 5 Deals A New Hand With Aeris
Riot Games has launched VALORANT Season 2026, Act 5, introducing the new Aeris Collection and Battlepass. The Aeris Collection features card-themed weapon skins and animations, including a unique melee weapon. The update is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with the full collection costing 9,500 VP and the Battlepass priced at 1,000 VP.
The new Valorant collection lets you show off with LoL Riftbound cards
Riot Games has released the new Valorant Aeris collection, featuring weapon skins and a unique 'Flex' item that allows players to produce League of Legends Riftbound Trading Cards. The collection, themed around playing cards, costs 9,500 VP and was released on August 18, 2026. While the cards are purely aesthetic, they add a unique flair for players who enjoy in-game customization.
Legends never die: League of Legends in 2026
This opinion piece reflects on the seven-year journey with League of Legends, highlighting its enduring popularity as a premier MOBA despite a complex relationship with the game. The author discusses the game's evolution, including its monetization strategies, balance changes, and the upcoming 'League Next' update, while praising Riot Games' increased transparency and community engagement.
Valorant pulls in BMTH and Spiritbox singers for VCT anthem, and it's exactly what we need
Riot Games has released the official anthem for the Valorant Champions Shanghai tournament, titled 'If The Sun Burns Out Tonight.' The track features Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon and Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox, with production by Grabbitz. This marks a return to heavy metal influences for Valorant's anthems, aiming to recapture the balance of electronic and strong vocals that made previous tracks successful.
The Future of Virtual Competition: Is Xbox Game Pass Primed to Launch the Next Big Esport?
This article analyzes the potential for Xbox Game Pass to foster the next major esport, highlighting how its subscription model lowers the barrier to entry for new multiplayer games. While services like Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, and Call of Duty already benefit from Game Pass integrations, the platform's true strength lies in providing a large player base for unproven titles. However, the article emphasizes that core game design, depth, and community building are still crucial for a game to achieve esport status, with Game Pass acting as a facilitator rather than a guarantee.
Lifting together: How Warframe became one of the world's best multiplayer games
Warframe has evolved from a middling 2013 release into a highly successful live service game, maintaining a strong player base and positive reception through continuous development and community engagement. Digital Extremes' philosophy of taking risks, iterating based on player feedback, and fostering a strong community has been key to its resilience and ongoing popularity, even as other multiplayer games struggle.
The US government is hiring gamers as air traffic controllers, with "historic" results
The US government's campaign to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers has been highly successful, meeting 94% of its hiring goal and achieving the fastest recruitment target completion ever. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that gamers possess valuable skills like problem-solving and spatial awareness, leading to historic hiring numbers and strong performance from new recruits.
Valorant Season 2026 Act 5 start date
Valorant Season 2026 Act 5 is scheduled to begin on August 17, 2026, following the conclusion of Act 4. This new act will introduce a fresh Battle Pass, updates to the competitive map rotation, and potential balance adjustments for existing agents in Riot Games' tactical shooter.
Arise Dark Lord is a new RTS where you raise evil armies and crush "godless heathens"
Introversion Software has revealed Arise Dark Lord, a new real-time strategy and action hybrid game where players assume the role of a dark lord commanding undead armies. The game is set for release in 2027, with a Prologue currently available on itch.io. The title features a parchment art style and clear homages to The Lord of the Rings.
EA is now a private company, with stakeholders that include Saudi's PIF and Affinity Partners
Electronic Arts has officially become a private company following a $55 billion buyout, with stakeholders including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners. This deal, the second largest in gaming history, has raised concerns regarding human rights and LGBTQ+ issues due to the nature of some investors. The future of EA's franchises and potential company restructuring remain uncertain.
Dead by Daylight's first-ever community-created chapter has finally hit the PTB
Dead by Daylight's new community-created chapter, Chorus of Sin, is now available on the Public Test Build. The chapter introduces a new Killer, The Judgement, an angelic figure with corrupted features, and a new Survivor, Aurora Stardotter, a spiritual scientist. The chapter officially launches in-game on Tuesday, August 25.
NC's tactical shooter, Cinder City, is running its first-ever playtest
NC is holding its first-ever pre-alpha playtest for its tactical shooter, Cinder City, in North America from August 14-16. The game is set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic Seoul and blends horror, sci-fi, and traditional FPS mechanics. Participants must be 16 years or older and located in North America.
League of Legends codes (August 2026)
This guide provides a list of active League of Legends codes for Classic-inspired champion icons, released to celebrate the Season 3-set mode. It details how to redeem these codes on Riot's website and explains that new codes are being rolled out. The article also mentions expired codes and suggests checking social media for future announcements.
If you bounced off Baldur's Gate 3: now is the time to try again
This article discusses the author's initial negative experience with Baldur's Gate 3, citing its complexity and D&D jargon. After a second playthrough, influenced by watching cast members play D&D, the author found a deeper appreciation for the game's freedom, character depth, and its impact on popular culture and video game acting.
Gamesight: Creators are best predictor for a game's success, not viewership
Marketing platform Gamesight's analysis indicates that the number of active creators producing content by day three of a game's launch is a more reliable predictor of long-term success than total viewership. This metric is particularly crucial for player-versus-player first-person shooter games, where factors like replayability and competitive progression contribute to sustained creator interest and community formation.
Adult-Mode Play: Gaming for Real Life | TAG
This article discusses the concept of 'adult-mode play,' which caters to gamers with limited time and finite budgets, contrasting it with the industry's focus on engagement metrics and extended play sessions. It highlights games that support shorter playtimes and suggests a mindset shift for adult gamers to enjoy their hobby without guilt or FOMO.
