In a startling turn of events, a ‘real-life' Genshin Impact event in South Korea was abruptly canceled after a bomb threat surfaced on social media, forcing the immediate evacuation of 200 attendees.

The video game sensation, Genshin Impact, had ventured into uncharted territory by organizing festivals to cater to its devoted fan base. The venture has been met with resounding success, drawing a massive influx of attendees; however, this overwhelming response has led to issues of overcrowding during the events.

This year, the event organizers opted to expand the event to two different locations to accommodate the large number of attendees. The event, dubbed ‘The 2023 Genshin Impact Summer Festival‘ commenced on July 20 and was to initially run all the way to July 23. However, the summer convention held to celebrate the Genshin Impact 3.8 was brought to an abrupt halt on day three following a bomb threat.

On July 22, the South Korean police received a tip, through Twitter, regarding a bomb threat. Twitter user @PingPingon69 who is currently suspended, claimed a pipe explosive had been planted at the KSPO Dome (Seoul's Olympic Park arena), one of the event venues. The tweet was accompanied by alleged photos of the bomb alongside a caption urging people to look forward. As reported by Globale, a Korean media outlet, the Twitter user cited their anti-Chinese sentiments as the basis for the terrorist attack.

After this tweet was shared, firefighters and the police had to quickly jump into action and evacuate all 200 attendees with the police carrying out an extensive search of the explosive device. The local authorities found no traces of explosives at the indoor venue rendering the threats illegitimate. Investigations to finding the person behind the malicious tweet are still ongoing.

Genshin Impact is yet to officially communicate resumption of the event.

More on Genshin Impact

Cancellation of the festival is not the only scandal rocking Genshin Impact's boat. Earlier on this month, Genshin Impact voice actors claimed they had not received any payment from HoYoverse in months and we're even struggling to make ends meet. However, the misunderstanding was ironed out after it came to light that Studio Formosa, one of the companies that handles the voiceovers, was actually to blame.

The action role-playing game also experienced another scandal back in February when they had to drop a voice actor over allegations surrounding sexual misconduct.

Genshin Impact is currently available on PS4 and 5, Mobile and PC with its release on Nintendo Switch still underway.

The post Genshin Impact Event Cancelled And 200 Evacuated After Bomb Threat appeared first on Gaming.net.

In case you’ve yet to knuckle in on the world of Esports and its ever-evolving cash cow of high-paying tournaments, perhaps now’s the time to register an interest. It’d make sense, what with the competitive nature of the sport boasting prize pools of hundreds of thousands, and often millions of dollars, give or take. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and if there’s one thing we’ve come to learn in 2023, it’s that the Esports scene is only just beginning to find its footing — and that there’s plenty more to come before the year’s out.

Like a lot of forms of entertainment, the world of Esports has its carousel of best-selling titles that raise the benchmark for others to live up to. For the sake of keeping it compressed and to the point, though, we’ve gone ahead and drafted the five that have made the biggest impact on the gaming front in the past six months or so. Curious to know more? Here are the Esports stakeholders that you should know about in 2023.

5. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Call of Duty has every right to be hailed as one of the best first-person shooter franchises on the planet, more so in 2023, what with the battle royale Warzone 2.0 entry being a free-to-play game and all. Conceptually, it’s no different from its predecessor, though it does bring a new mode to the table — a loot-and-extract gig known as DMZ. Outside of that, the 2022 iteration brings all the action-packed components you’d come to expect from a traditional Call of Duty instalment — right down to the notorious Gulag.

As it stands, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 has four seasons under its belt, each of which have brought a variety of new maps, modes, weapons, and in-game features to the nexus. As far as its presence in the Esports community goes, the World Series of Warzone is where it’s at—an annual tournament that boasts millions in cash prizes. Is this likely to double in 2024? Absolutely. Is it the best Esports game on the current monopoly? Not by a long shot, although it does aim high.

4. Dota 2

Arguably one of the most competitive MOBA titles of its kind, Dota 2 fortifies its position as the all-seeing eye of Esports. It’s a little dated, sure, but the fact that it’s still able to host a huge network of tournaments on a year-round basis speaks volumes alone. Add the fact that the likes of the Majors boast prize pools in excess of $30 million, and you’ve got yourself one monster of an Esports division.

ln 2023, Dota 2 is more accessible than ever before, with hundreds of heroes to play from and a stepping stone progression system that’s “easy to learn, hard to master.” So, if you’ve the time to spare, then it’s definitely a kingdom worth checking into, if not for the first-hand experience, then for the staggeringly high prize pools that each tournament dishes out.

3. Overwatch 2

It was only natural that Blizzard went on to develop a follow-up chapter to its universally acclaimed MOBA shooter. Built with all-new modes, maps, and weapons in mind, Overwatch 2 went down a real treat with those who longed to scratch that competitive itch. Also, the fact that it launched as a free-to-play game only made it that much more appealing to a wider audience. Just what Blizzard had intended, no doubt.

While Overwatch 2 continues to evolve and onboard new patches every two or three months, its Esports division, The Overwatch League, also moves to make itself known across the entire platform. And judging by how easy it is to pick up and play, we wouldn’t be that surprised to see the MOBA sport double in size before year’s end. As for what’s in store for the second chapter remains a mystery, though one thing is clear: Overwatch is here to stay, and fans couldn’t be more excited to see what’s on the horizon for its Esports counterpart in 2023.

2. Fortnite

Say what you want about Fortnite — Epic Games sure know how to draw in a crowd. And if it isn’t at one of its seasonal events, then it’s at one of the many, many Esports leagues that the creators host every year. Makes sense, what with some of its prize pools being anywhere in excess of a hundred thousand or more. Knowing this, and how the ever-evolving battle royale sensation attracts millions of players daily, it isn’t all that difficult to see why seasoned pros use it as a stepping stone to elevate their gaming careers.

Fortnite is the gift that keeps on giving, with new patches, events, weapons, and objectives being introduced to its world every week or so. There’s a lot to unpack with it, is what we’re saying, and if anyone is able to knuckle in on the plethora of content it has to offer, then there’s plenty of perks to be found, if not in a global tournament, then in a local match.

1. PUBG

PUBG is hands down the best and most influential Esports game in the world, with over 350 million users fleshing out its global roster and a whole catalog of high-paying tournaments under its belt. The fact that it’s available on consoles, PC, and mobile also makes it one of the easiest games to access, too. This is why so many high calibre teams flock to the arena to try their luck — if only to take a stab at the PUBG Global Championship, which assembles only the best of the best for a series of massive tournaments.

Before it was banned in India, PUBG held the record for being one of the most sought-after video games on the planet. Not a whole lot has changed since then, to be fair, with newcomers still looking to gain a foothold on the leaderboards for a shot at taking home prize pools that go as far as a couple of million. So, while PUBG being the best in the business is debatable, the general consensus is that it is a household choice for serious gamers, and definitely for those looking to cash out on some seriously hefty payouts.

So, what’s your take? Will you be tuning in to catch any of the above Esports tournaments in 2023? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.

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Fortnite, the popular online game, is joining Olympic eSports, but in a slightly different way. Instead of being played as a battle royale, Fortnite has designed a custom map with shooting targets to reflect the sport's shooting competition. 

Fortnite will be one of the games that will feature at the inaugural Olympic Esports Week. The event, organized by the International Olympic Committee, will take place in Singapore. The Fortnite Champion Series will send 12 players to Singapore to test their accuracy and compete for the gold medal on June 24th. The Fortnite tournament will require players to navigate the in-game environment as they compete, but it is unclear what this will look like in practice.

The latest addition to the #OlympicEsportsSeries is International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Challenge featuring Fortnite! 🤩@FNCompetitive | @issf_official pic.twitter.com/3eM24UFi2C

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) May 5, 2023

The Fortnite team has developed an Island called Creative Island. The developers specifically designed the island to reflect “sport shooting competition” for the Olympic Esports.  The island is specifically for the purpose of shooting targets, indicating that it is not a traditional battle royale game where the objective is to eliminate all other players. In this game, success is determined more by one's ability to accurately hit the targets than by being the only surviving player. Therefore, the ultimate winner is the person who can demonstrate the best aiming skills. 

Other games included in the event are WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros for baseball, Chess.com for chess, Zwift for cycling, Just Dance for dancing, Gran Turismo 7 for motorsport, Virtual Regatta for sailing, Virtual Taekwondo for taekwondo, and Tennis Clash for tennis. The games will be held in Singapore's Suntec Centre but will be streamed globally on the official Olympics website and social channels.

Olympic Esports Games Dates

The Olympic Esports Games will take place in Singapore's Suntec Centre on June 24. However, the event will be streamed globally on the official Olympics website and social channels. Tickets for the event cost $7.50 per day or $20 for a three-day pass.

What’s your take? What do you think about Fortnite's appearance at the Olympic Esports event in Singapore? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below. 

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The world of Esports has helped pave the way for countless gamers over the years, most notably Dota 2 users—seasoned professionals that have, at least as a community, developed the game's reputation as one of the best PvP IPs on the planet. And it's a profitable one, too, as made clear by The International, an event that boasts some of the highest paying prize pools in gaming, period. It's within these events that, like a lot of popular Esports, well-traveled players earn their keep and, on occasion, millions of dollars worth of prizes.

In this day and age, it isn't all that unusual to spot a well-versed Esports champion with millions in winnings bolted to their name. But as far as the richest Esports players go—now that's another story, and one that'll no doubt make your mouth water and your urge to study the ropes on Dota 2 act up. If you're curious to know who makes up these numbers, though, then be sure to read on. Here are the richest Esports players in 2023, ranked by wealth.

5. Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen

Rising to fame through the Dota 2 network, Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, a highly successful OG candidate and all-round team player, has accumulated a staggeringly high amount of money; $5.7 million, actually. However, it goes without saying that, while the 24-year-old has put in a great deal of work with the acclaimed organization, a huge amount of said earnings have been the product of a joint venture. Nevertheless, as it stands, the Finnish player stacks high as one of the best and, not to mention the richest gamers on the Esports monopoly.

Besides the monumental win at The International 2019, Taavitsainen has also lent his expertise to a total of 33 tournaments. And while the veteran may be on the inactive roster for OG this year, Taavitsainen is still very much present and accounted for on the board.

4. Sébastien “Ceb” Debs

Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, yet another former member of the OG firm, is currently ranked as the fourth richest Esports player. Rightfully so, given the fact that the retired ambassador for the organization has contributed to a whopping 67 tournaments. Of these 67, Debs earned the bulk of his winnings through The International 2018, and The International 2019, at which OG won first place. Apart from serving as a player, Debs has also coached the OG team for two consecutive years, between 2016 and 2018.

In spite of the former OG coach and champion retiring from the professional circuit back in 2021, Ceb is still very much regarded as one of the best Dota 2 players of all time. And, not to mention the fourth richest Esports player on the map—a title that comes loaded with a $5.8 million purse. Will this be toppled by another player by the end of 2023? Who knows. Either way, it's quite the benchmark to overcome.

3. Anathan “ana” Pham

Anathan, “ana” Pham is a—you guessed it—former member of the OG faction, and one of the primary champions on the Dota 2 circuit. Since making his formal debut back in 2013, the Australia-based pro has competed in a total of 26 paying tournaments, from which he has tallied up a generous $6 million in winnings. Again, these prizes mostly came from OG's wins at The International 2018, and The International 2019, out of which the team earned a total of $26 million.

Since briefly retiring from OG in 2021, Pham has made a return to the Dota 2 circuit as a champion under the T1 banner. As for what lies ahead for the seasoned pro is unclear, though one thing remains certain: a lot of rivals will be eyeing up the third spot on the board of richest Esports players in a bid to knock Pham from the pedestal.

2. Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka

Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka, a Finland-based veteran on the Dota 2 circuit, has made an impression on the Esports platform through The International, at which he and OG brought home the 2019 title. Outside of OG, Vainikka has played alongside some of the best and most influential teams in the world, including Team Liquid, and Evil Geniuses. As a result of the 68 global tournaments awarding cash prizes, the well-traveled player has scored just shy of $6.5 million in winnings, thereby becoming the second richest Esports player n the world.

Despite the brief retirement in 2020, Vainikka has retained a position on the Dota 2 community as both a champion and a coach under the Team Liquid banner. As for how the established pro will spend the forthcoming season remains unclear, though at any rate, it's doubtful that a bit of inactivity will rock the apple cart and sacrifice his title as second richest gamer.

1. Johan “N0tail” Sundstein

As of 2023, Johan Sundstein, otherwise known as N0tail, is the richest Esports player in the world, with an accumulated $7.2 million in overall winnings since 2012. Like his peers, the lion's share of these earnings have stemmed from Dota 2, in which the seasoned professional has competed in a grand total of 130 tournaments.

In The International 2019, N0tail played alongside OG, earning a first place ranking and a mouthwatering $3 million from the total prize pool. As it currently stands, N0tail is considered the undisputed titleholder in Esports, as well as the richest long-term professional on the board. Is this a position that'll stay put for the forthcoming year? It's hard to say at this point. But having said that, with prize pools gradually getting bulkier by the day, chances are N0tail will have his work cut out for him this season. We'll see, though.

So, what's your take? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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The Ukrainian developer of Stalker 2, GSC Game World, has confirmed that it has been hacked. According to a statement from the company, the hacker is blackmailing the company unless specific demands are met. The hacker has threatened to leak the data if the developer does not meet the demands by March 15. 

The Ukrainian developer has confirmed that an anonymous Russian user has taken responsibility for the hack. The hacker posted on the Russian social media network VK, claiming to have gained access to 30 gigabytes of information. The information includes concept art, environmental art, maps, and in-game screenshots and cutscenes that reveal the game’s story. The hacker has demanded that GSC Game World soften its attitude toward Russian and Belarusian fans and unban a specific account on the game’s official Discord channel. The hacker also demands that the developer provide an official Russian-language localization for the game.

GSC Game World Remain Strong and Courageous

A message from GSC Game World team pic.twitter.com/rqRM0tFZmO

— S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL (@stalker_thegame) March 12, 2023

Developers at GSC Game World have now said that they will not meet any of those demands.

“Despite the attempts to break us, we remain strong and courageous,” GSC said. “In the event of any leaks, we ask that you refrain from watching or distributing information about STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Outdated and work-in-progress materials may dilute the impression of the final idea we have put into the game.”

The company also said,

“This is not the first attempt to hack and leak our data, including personal information.” We have been through a lot. However, these challenges only encourage us to work even harder because we believe that the truth is on our side. Evil will never win.”

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s development had initially stalled, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further complicated the company's operations. GSC Game World has scheduled STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl for release in December. The game will be available on the Xbox Game Pass subscription service and on PC via Steam.

What is your take? What do you think about the GSC Game World hack and blackmail by the Pro-Russian group? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below. 

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In light of the Valorant LOCK//IN and Capcom Cup IX tournaments drawing to a close, we thought we'd take a gander back at some of Esports' most valued teams, milestones, and prize pools to date. Specifically, the teams that have made the greatest impression in the last eleven or so months.

As it's still early days yet, we can't say for certain which Esports organizations will be the most likely to claim the top spots on the bracket. Nevertheless, we do have a vague idea of which teams will be worth watching when certain key events come to pass. So, who's worth watching in 2023, and which events should you keep a note of besides The International? Well, here's how we'd draw the line from the statistics we've recently accrued.

5. Natus Vincere (NAVI)

Coming in at fifth, Natus Vincere (abbreviated as NAVI) is a well-traveled European Esports team with a lofty 650 tournaments under its belt, from which it has accrued over $20 million in winnings in a little over a decade. Recently, NAVI fought to claim a final spot at Valorant LOCK/IN in Brazil, which led to an admirable semifinalist ranking and a $40K prize. Although not on par with its two finalists, collectively the worldwide team has rallied forth and conquered numerous other events since its 2009 inception.

Hailing from Ukraine, the twenty-something team has placed its marker on a myriad of top-shelf games, most notably Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG. As it stands, the organization is stacking up as one of the best in the Esports domain, and not to mention a faction that, quite frankly, any spectator or veteran should keep a firm eye on as 2023 draws out.

4. Team Spirit

Team Spirit is an organization that pours the majority of its effort into the likes of Dota 2, from which it has accumulated over $20 million in winnings alone. But outside of the highly acclaimed RTS phenomenon, the Russia-based firm has also spent a significant amount of time ejecting sweat, tears, and wins in Counter-Strike. The fact that they've only competed in 190 tournaments and have nearly always ranked in the top three, of course, makes them a force to be reckoned with.

With the DPC EEU 2023 Tour finished—an event that saw Team Spirit waltz away with the second spot on the board—the organization will now devote its talents and resources to The International 2023, a concluding tournament in the Dota Pro Circuit. Is it worth following? A hundred per cent, yes—especially if you're interested in seeing some of the greatest Dota 2 players in their absolute element.

3. Evil Geniuses

Evil Geniuses is another organization that has fingers in so many pies that, in all honesty, it's sort of tough to keep track of its roadmaps. That said, with Dota 2 being its go-to RTS, you can nearly always find them hovering near the apex of the leaderboards, if not in first, then in the top five of any given Pro Circuit. Matter of fact, Evil Geniuses recently cleared the BTS Pro Series Season 13, bagging themselves a $16K prize and an extra leg on the Dota 2 monopoly.

It's early days yet, but with Dota 2 and a whole bunch of other Esports favorites laying out the foundations for yet another prosperous year of competitive entertainment, Evil Geniuses will have a lot to bite into these next nine months. Needless to say that, of all the up-and-coming teams with a foothold in the scene, Evil Geniuses will be one to keep an eye out for.

2. OG

Given OG's relatively low attendance record on the Esports circuit, it's astonishing to see that such a team has actually accumulated over $37 million in winnings to date. This alone makes the organization one of the best-performing Esports teams of all time. Plus, with a win-to-lose ratio so incredibly one-sided, it really is no wonder they've been labelled as one of Dota 2's most feared factions.

This year, OG will be setting its sights on The International, an annual event that boasts one of the highest prize pools in Esports. Fact is, as the team has already won the 2018 and 2019 events, spectators will be keeping a solid eye on the organization over the forthcoming season. Will OG shape up for a hat trick, or will it run it right down to the wire? Either way, 2023 will be a huge year for the firm, and one that will no doubt bring it a thread of consecutive wins.

1. Team Liquid

With a smidgen under 2,500 tournaments under its belt, Team Liquid has managed to hold a stake on the Esports plateau for the best part of two decades now. In this time, the globally recognized organization has tallied up a mouth-watering $43 million in winnings, which has stemmed from a myriad of games including Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and StarCraft. As it stands in 2023, the team has more than 20 rosters covering a multitude of platforms, effectively making it one of the largest and most popular collectives in the history of Esports.

In 2023, Team Liquid, as an organization, spans over 30 countries, with its primary players hailing from the United States, Germany, Finland, and Bulgaria. Is this likely to expand over the course of the year? Absolutely. In fact, with toes already dipped in a wide selection of new waters, it's hard to imagine Team Liquid losing track of its foothold in the rankings any time in the next decade, let alone in 2023.

So, what's your take? Are you surprised to see any of the above five in this list? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Esports team Fnatic has come up trumps against finalist LOUD at Valorant LOCK//IN, securing a $100,000 prize and an extra seat at the EMEA Masters Tokyo.

After three long and grueling weeks of one-on-one bouts, Valorant LOCK//IN has finally come to an end. Having started with 32 of the best teams around the world, the ever-popular tournament concluded with one nail-biting deadlock event—a battle that cemented its position in Valorant's most heated highlights in its three-year run. And boy, what a final it was to watch.

Between Fnatic and LOUD, the two finalists pushed the competition all the way to the fifth map, with Fnatic claiming the first two, and LOUD snatching the equalizer via the third and fourth. All of this culminated in one final stand-off in Icebox, which led to a tidy 14-12 win for Fnatic. Oh, and in Overtime, no less. Here's how the maps played out:

Fnatic Vs LOUD

• Ascent: 13-8
• Fracture: 13-7
• Split: 9-13
• Lotus: 8-13
• Icebox: 14-12

With the first tournament under their belts, Fnatic will now go on to secure an additional seat at EMEA Masters Tokyo, which will take place June 11th to 25th. In the meantime, a hearty congratulations is well and truly in order—to Fnatic, LOUD, and every other team that gave it their all in one of the game's biggest tournaments in the history of Esports.

If you're interested in checking out some more Esports events, you can check out a roadmap for 2023 here.

So, what's your take? Will you be tuning in to catch the Masters Tokyo event? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Since 2020, the realm of Esports has only risen from strength to strength, effectively fortifying its position as one of the best billion-dollar empires in modern media. 2022 alone, believe it or not, raked in $100 million in prize pools—and that doesn't even graze the surface of the sports entertainment market as a whole, either. It makes sense then, that insiders are claiming that the Esports subsidiary is shaping up to hold a monumental value of $3 billion by the end of 2028.

Of course, 2022 was only the beginning of a new chapter in the book of flourishing Esports tournaments. Needless to say that, in spite of the cooldown period following the pandemic, it delivered what it set out to do on all accounts, using its resources to establish some of the biggest and most profitable events in the world. That said, if you're curious to know which Esports events typically pay out the most, then read on.

5. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Since 2012, the beloved tactical first-person shooter known as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (or CS:GO, for most) has conjured up well over $134 million in total prize pools, essentially making it one of the highest-paying Esports games of all time. And truth be told, this isn't likely to change anytime soon, either, mostly down to the fact that its user base and presence on Twitch is nearly always expanding. In 2023, this global sensation will see in the ESL Pro League's seventeenth season, an event that will serve as a gateway to IEM Katowice, Dallas, and Cologne 2023 and their shared $2.25 million prize pool.

It goes without saying that CS:GO and its impenetrable network of award-winning teams and staggeringly high prize pools are partly the reason for Esports' sudden surge in popularity these past few years. Since 2020, in fact, ESL Pro League has tripled its prize pool, leaving behind the fairly large $225k for a much more appealing $850k. Fact is, this is only likely to increase as the years march forward—and it continues this year with Season 17 between March 1st and April 2nd.

4. PUBG

Between PUBG and its mobile counterpart, PUBG Studios has in its possession one of the biggest cash cows in modern gaming, a fact that is fortified by its seriously high Esports prize pools. In 2022, for example, a $3.5 million purse was accrued for the 32-team Global Championship event, which later went on to reward the final team with a little over $1 million in total winnings.

Since its 2017 debut, PUBG has held just shy of 554 tournaments which, when combined, has amounted to $52 million in total winnings. In 2023, PUBG Studios will host not only its annual two-part Global Series, but the Nations Cup, as well as the Global Championship, which will take place over the course of November and December later this year.

3. Fortnite

Fortnite may have fallen from grace ever since it decreased the global prize fund, but even in 2023 it still holds a spot on the monopoly, as it will continue to do so for as long as its player base supports it. The fact is, though, 2022 only saw a “disappointingly mediocre” $1 million prize pool, which was at the FNCS Invitational. Granted, this wasn't exactly the sight for sore eyes fans of the battle royale game wanted, what with the 2019 World Cup boasting a staggering $30 million cash cow.

Anyway, in spite of the zig-zag patterns Fortnite tends to chalk up on an annual basis, the fact is the game is still just as popular as it once was, and its net worth as an Esports platform is only likely to increase over the course of 2023, too. Is it worth checking out this year? Absolutely — if not for the prize pools, then for the die-hard fan base that make it the powerhouse gaming phenomenon that it is.

2. Arena of Valor

Given the fact that Arena of Valor is a mobile game, it does come as a slight surprise that its associated Esports tournaments have unnaturally high prize pools. An example here would be the Honor of Kings International Championship 2022, an event that went on to accrue a $10 million prize pool for just 16 global teams. Seeing as this was indeed based around a mobile title, it did make the winning team's $3.5 million payout a serious eye-opener for those seeking to plant roots in Esports' portable domain.

Arena of Valor is only on the rise, too, with an even higher prize pool expected to drop at the next global event. Knowing that, and how high of a stake the game has on the Esports monopoly, now would perhaps be the best time to invest some level of interest in its ever-evolving world.

1. Dota 2

Of course, anyone who knows the Esports market will likely know of Dota 2, or at least be aware of its ludicrously high prize pools and fan base. On average, The International, an annual event that sees all the greatest teams band together to battle it out over two round-robin brackets, the prize pool tallies up to a rosy $19 million, give or take. This is usually crowdfunded via Valve's Dota 2 community battle pass, and is essentially spread between the 20 teams, regardless of their final ranking.

Funnily enough, The International 2022 was actually in receipt of one of the lowest-paying prize pools in the history of the event. Fact is, in 2021 that same event posted a solid $40 million prize pool, which led to the finalist (that being Team Spirit) receiving a whopping $18 million in winnings. With all of that in mind, it'd be foolish to pass up the opportunity to get involved with The International 2023. If you want an Esports tournament that boasts high stakes and even higher payouts, then Dota 2 is the one and only game you'll need to set your eye on this year.

So, what's your take? Will you be tuning in to watch any of the above five tournaments? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

The post 5 Best-Paying Esports Games in 2023 appeared first on Gaming.net.

In just two weeks, Valorant LOCK//IN has single-handedly whittled 32 competing teams down to 10, signalling the final few bouts for the throne that will occur between March 2nd and 4th.

On March 4th, São Paulo's Valorant LOCK//IN tournament will crown its reigning champions, which will result in a nifty $100,000 bounty out of the $500,000 grand total. Before this comes to pass, the event will see two drawn-out days of quarter-finals matches, which will see the four remaining teams battle it out for the final two spots on the bracket. Curious to know more? Here's what you need to know.

Twitch Drops

If you're one for claiming the Twitch Drops, then you'll be pleased to know that Valorant LOCK//IN will be presenting a myriad of cosmetics, skins, and in-game perks for the duration of the Finals. You can claim them by simply connecting your Valorant account to Twitch, and then streaming the matches between March 2nd and 4th via the platform.

Where to Watch

You can watch the Valorant LOCK//IN Finals in a number of ways, though the most convenient is through Twitch. Alternatively, you can catch the matches over on the official YouTube handle here.

Teams

So, what's your take? Are you rooting for any particular team this year? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Capcom has announced that the next Capcom Cup will offer a grand prize of $1 million to the winning pro-Street Fighter player. The announcement was made via the official Street Fighter Twitter account, which has now garnered considerable attention from the gaming community.

Capcom Cup X will witness an exciting competition as Street Fighter 6 takes center stage. The best Steet Fighter 6 will bag an impressive $1 million cash prize. The amount is the largest in the history of the Capcom Cup. Capcom also revealed that the overall prize pool for the Capcom Cup Pro Tour is over $2 million.

Capcom Cup X will be played on Street Fighter 6 with the winner receiving a whopping $1,000,000!

Who wants to be a millionaire? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uVguQvX4Xc

— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) February 20, 2023

The next Capcom Pro Tour will be the first official Capcom tournament to feature Street Fighter 6. The game is the newest installment of the Street Fighter franchise. In addition to the much-awaited Battle Hub, the upcoming Street Fighter 6 game is packed with new features. The features include “Fighting Ground” and “World Tour.” Fans can explore these features when the game launches on June 2.

Professional gaming has become a lucrative career choice for many, and the massive prize pool at Capcom Cup X only cements its status as a legitimate industry. With the anticipation building up, professional gaming will witness an exciting competition that could see one skilled player walk away with a life-changing sum of money.

The Pro Tour leading up to the championship involves several qualification events worldwide. Capcom Pro Tour 2023 is scheduled to start this summer. The event will feature offline and online competitions and the regional World Warrior program.

Street Fighter 6 will launch on June 2 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam.

What is your take? Will you be participating in this year’s Capcom Pro Tour? Do you look forward to the competition? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.

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North American teams Cloud9, NRG Esports, and Evil Geniuses have advanced to the next round at 2023's Valorant LOCK/IN event.

The Alpha bracket of the Valorant LOCK/IN is on the precipice of seeing its first eight leading teams rally forth to the Round of 16, a deadlock 1v1 that will go on to determine the best teams fit for the quarter finals. In light of this, North America clearly seems to be making a statement, as proven by the 2-0 victories against international teams KOI, Paper Rex, and Team Heretics. As for whether or not this will culminate in a homecoming parade for the region, of course, is still anybody's guess.

It's early days yet, as the Grand Finals won't actually commence until the round-robin event has played its entire Round of 32 and Round of 16 brackets, neither of which will end until Feb. 27th, at which point the Omega matches will reveal their final teams. Until then, it's still a somewhat level playing field—though one that North America clearly has some influence over at the time of writing.

Masters Tokyo 2023 Edges Nearer

In case you missed it, the winning team at Valorant LOCK/IN will automatically secure a spot for their respective region at the Masters Tokyo event, which is scheduled to take place this coming June. At present, ten of the league's best teams will advance to the Masters, whereas the eleventh additional spot will only come to the team that conquers LOCK/IN. So, evidently there's a lot hanging on the line, and it goes without saying that every team over in São Paolo will be wanting a slice of it right about now.

So, what's your take? Are you rooting for any teams in particular? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Riot Games' Valorant LOCK/IN tournament is officially underway, which of course means one thing: free loot for anyone with a registered Valorant account.

It's no secret that Riot Games enjoys the idea of giving away free in-game cosemtics to its most loyal players. Well, this year's LOCK/IN event is finally here, and not a whole lot has changed in that regard. In fact, we're only two days through the tournament, and already the prolific developer has made way for a slew of instant freebies. Question is, how do you claim them and add them to your collections? Here's what you need to know about this year's Twitch drops.

How to Unlock Twitch Drops in Valorant LOCK/IN

To get your hands on all the latest Twitch drops during the LOCK/IN event, you will of course need to connect your Valorant account to Twitch. Once done, you will need to stream at least one live match, after which you will receive a notification stating that you have officially redeemed the drop. Not sure when the next match is? You can see the full schedule on the official website here.

At the time of writing, you can redeem both a title and a gun buddy cosmetic. It is worth noting, however, that the latter can only be claimed by streaming the Grand Finals on March 4th, whereas the title can be claimed by watching through any single match from today until the end of the tournament.

For more updates on the Valorant LOCK/IN event, you can see here for a more in-depth collection of details, including the schedule, dates, and prize pool.

So, will you be claiming any of the perks at this year's LOCK/IN tournament? Are there any Twitch drops in particular you're crossing your fingers for? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Valorant has officially launched its first-ever franchised league. Here's everything you need to know about it.

What Is Valorant LOCK/IN?

Valorant LOCK/IN is a global tournament that pits 32 partnered teams against one another over a series of best-of-three matches that span from February 13th to March 4th. True to the typical Esports fashion, a prize pool of $500,000 stands on the line, and as each team either progresses or rolls out, takes a cut out of that very fund. This year, in specific, the best team will waltz away with $100,000 in winnings, whereas the losing team will take a significantly smaller cut.

The LOCK/IN event will be divided into three time slots: Feb. 13 to Feb. 19, which will see the Alpha matches played out in a best-of-three format; Feb. 22 to Feb. 27, which will see the Omega matches played out in a similar best-of-three format; and Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, which will culminate in a semi and grand final, consisting of best-of-five matches with the final standing teams.

There will be seven maps in LOCK/IN: Ascent, Fracture, Haven, Icebox, Lotus, Pearl, and Split.

Schedule

Alpha Matches

• Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 — Round of 32
• Feb. 17 to Feb. 18 — Round of 16
• Feb. 19 — Quarter-finals

Omega Matches

• Feb. 22 to Feb. 24 — Round of 32
• Feb. 25 to Feb. 26 — Round of 16
• Feb. 27 — Quarter-finals

Finals 

• March 2 to 3 — Semi-finals
• March 4 — Grand final

Prize Pool

In 2023, the prize pool will amount to $500,000 in total winnings. As per the rules, the highest ranking team that conquers the remaining opponents will stroll away with the highest bracket (that being $100,000), whereas both the runner-ups and losing teams will receive a smaller amount for simply competing. Here's what the top teams can expect to see after the LOCK/IN event has drawn its last curtain:

Where to Watch Valorant LOCK/IN

Fortunately for those located outside of São Paolo, Brazil, Riot Games will be hosting its very own Twitch and YouTube stream, which of course means you needn't worry about missing out on any of the action. If you are interested in attending the live event, however, then you can purchase tickets via Ticket360 here.

If, by chance, you haven't found what you're looking for on LOCK/IN, then you could always follow the official social feed here for more information.

So, will you be tuning in to LOCK/IN at any point this year? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Street Fighter V is alive and kicking once again in Capcom Cup IX, one of Esports' most prestigious tournaments in the world. Here's everything you need to know about it.

What Is Capcom Cup IX?

Capcom Cup IX is an annual tournament based around Street Fighter V, an arcade brawler in which players battle it out over a series of 1v1 bouts. Spread over five days, 47 combatants thrash it out for a place in the highest bracket and, in turn, the Top 16, which culminates in a final showdown after the remaining players have been eliminated.

• All 47 qualifying players are divided into 8 groups.
• Each player plays a three-round match in a single round-robin format.
• Once the top two players in each group win their matches, all remaining players are eliminated.
• During the final bracket, players compete in five-round sessions — double-elimination rules apply.

Schedule

Between February 14th and 19th, Capcom Cup IX will host a total of six day-long sessions: three Group Stage Eliminations, two Championships, and a final Top 16. Here's what you can expect to see over the six days:

Prize Pool

The prize pool this year is set at $300,000. This figure is divided between all competing players, with the overall winner walking away with a grand total of $120,000, and the remaining players taking a smaller share (the minimum payout being $1,500). The exact payouts for the top players are as follows:

Where to Watch Capcom Cup IX

You can stream all the fights over on Twitch or YouTube. Alternatively, you can attend the Championships and Top 16 final at AVALON Hollywood, 1735 Vine St. Hollywood, CA 90028 on February 19th by purchasing tickets here.

If, by chance, you're seeking more information on all things Capcom Cup IX, then be sure to check in with the official social feed here.

So, what's your take? Will you tuning in to watch Capcom Cup IX? Is there any player in particular you're rooting for? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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