Valorant
News, coverage and analysis tracking Valorant across the outlets.
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I sniffed a Minecraft sheep at Gamescom. No, I won't elaborate.
At Gamescom 2026, a preview of Zestum's Scentbar technology demonstrated its ability to emit odors matching in-game environments, such as grass, wood, smoke, and even sheep manure in Minecraft. This AI-powered device, available for pre-order on PC with console versions planned, aims to enhance sensory immersion in gaming.
Is Aimbot Software Worth the Ban Risk in CS2 and Warzone?
This analysis examines the risks associated with using aimbot software in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone, detailing how anti-cheat systems from Valve, Riot Games, Activision, and BattlEye operate and their ban cadences. It highlights that 'undetectable' software only reduces risk, not eliminate it, and discusses the consequences of bans, including account wipes, hardware bans, and reputational damage in esports.
Valorant Cheater Using Evil Tung Tung Tung Sahur Skin Banned After Viral Video Sparks Backlash Against Riot's Anti-Cheat
A Valorant player using a custom 'Evil' Tung Tung Tung Sahur skin has been banned after a viral video showcased their cheating activities. The incident sparked backlash against Riot Games' anti-cheat measures.
HYPERTUNE Launches Gaming Performance Platform for Intel PCs | Invision Game Community
HYPERTUNE, a COMPREADY company, has launched its gaming performance engineering platform for Intel-based PCs, aiming to simplify performance tuning and overclocking. Built using Intel's XTU SDK, the platform automates system-specific optimizations, with internal testing claiming FPS improvements of up to 60%. The technology stems from esports engineering, with founder Austin Copeland having previously worked with TSM.
Riot Games is considering making premium titles, says co-founder
Riot Games is exploring the development of premium, non-free-to-play titles, according to co-founder Marc Merrill. While the company has found success with free-to-play games like League of Legends and Valorant, Merrill indicated that not every game needs to be free-to-play and that the business model must fit the game's vision. This comes after the discontinuation of their fighting game 2XKO and the winding down of the Riot Forge publishing label.
Sega cancelled its "risky" Super Game project as it "would have to grow enormously to match the scale of the service"
Sega has cancelled its ambitious "Super Game" initiative, citing the project's excessive risk and the enormous scale of investment and operations required to match a live-service model. President and COO Shuji Utsumi stated that while the company still sees a business opportunity in live-service games, the current challenges made the Super Game project too risky to pursue. Sega continues to operate live-service titles and remains committed to the genre, unlike some other companies facing similar difficulties.
2XKO wasn't a "mistake," Riot's Marc Merrill says. "We delivered a game that took risks"
Riot Games Co-Founder Marc Merrill stated that 2XKO was not a mistake, but a game that took risks, despite its development ending. He acknowledged the challenges of the fighting game market and the difficulty of sustaining live service titles in a competitive landscape. While 2XKO did not achieve critical mass, Merrill expressed pride in the team's effort and commitment to taking big swings with future projects.
Fall’s Video Game Release Slate Is Intimidatingly Good And Completely Doomed
The Fall 2026 video game release schedule is packed with highly anticipated titles, but this glut is predicted to cause a 'bloodbath' in the industry. Intense competition for consumer dollars and a worsening global economy are expected to lead to significant underperformance, layoffs, and potential studio closures, particularly for smaller developers. Even major publishers may struggle to navigate the crowded market, with few likely to emerge unscathed.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
Arc Raiders' executive producer admits its developers 'couldn't keep pace with the players' and their need for content, but promises Frozen Trail as the answer
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted that Arc Raiders' development team couldn't keep pace with player demand for content, leading to player frustration. The studio is now focusing on its upcoming 'Frozen Trails' update in October, which aims to address these issues with a rank redesign, new arcs, and a new map.
Razer and Sentinels Team Up for the Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless 8KHz Sentinels Edition | Invision Game
Razer and esports organization Sentinels have collaborated on a limited-edition Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless 8KHz gaming keyboard featuring Sentinels' signature red-and-black branding. This second collaboration combines Razer's competitive hardware with Sentinels' identity, offering features like True 8000Hz HyperPolling and Rapid Trigger Mode for esports players. The launch will be celebrated with a VALORANT meet-and-greet event at RazerStore San Diego.
Game Boosting Risks: How Anti-Cheat Detects Account Sharing
This article discusses the risks associated with game boosting and account sharing in multiplayer titles like Valorant, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft. It highlights how anti-cheat systems are designed to detect such activities, driven by the pressure of battle passes and seasonal rank resets.
ArenaNet says Guild Wars 3 will make you "fall in love with MMOs." Here's why I think it could
ArenaNet aims to revitalize the MMO genre with Guild Wars 3, focusing on innovative 'Momentum' systems that allow for fluid movement and dynamic combat. Studio head Colin Johansen believes the game will attract both existing Guild Wars fans and new players seeking a fresh experience, potentially making them 'fall in love with MMOs.' The design prioritizes a cleaner UI and more action-oriented gameplay, a departure from traditional MMO mechanics.
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.
