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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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.

The post Valorant LOCK//IN 2023 Finals: Teams, Dates & Where to Watch appeared first on Gaming.net.

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.

The post North America Lead Alpha Bracket at Valorant LOCK/IN appeared first on Gaming.net.

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.

The post Valorant LOCK/IN: Guide to Twitch Drops appeared first on Gaming.net.

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.

The post Valorant LOCK/IN: Details, Schedule & Prize Pool appeared first on Gaming.net.

Each and every year, the competitive gaming scene of Esports evolves its level of competition to new unforeseen heights. The gameplay get's faster, reactions are quicker, and each game evolves and pushes the boundaries of what's possible at gaming's highest professional level. 2023 will be no different. There will be many memorable, game-changing moments, and of course a handful of cringe-worthy ones. Nonetheless, you don't want to miss out on any of the action and laughter. That's why we've compiled all the major Esports events taking place in 2023 across the top ten competitive games, so you know where to watch them and what's at stake.

10. Rocket League

If you've ever played Rocket League, you understand the amount of precision and skill that goes into the game. That's why watching pro players in the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Esports, doing ariel passes and goals, never gets old. And when stakes are at their highest during the RLCS Majors and Championship series, amazing plays and great gaming moments are inevitably made. That's why you don't want to miss out on this year's action, because “This is Rocket League!”

You can catch all the 2023 major RLCS Esports events on the RLCS Twitch Channel.

• RLCS Winter Major – April 6-9
• RLCS Spring Major – July 6-9
• RLCS World Championship – Aug. 4-13

9. Street Fighter V

Street Fighter 6 is due to come to our screens on June 2, 2023. This will mark another exciting Street Fighter title that will surely switch up the intricacies in the meta yet again. However, this year's events most likely won't feature the new title at the competitive level till next year. That means this will be the last year to watch the best Street Fighter 5 gameplay there is to date. And it will all be happening at the two major Esports events in 2023, taking place below.

You can watch the Capcom Cup on their Twitch Channel here and on the EVO Japan 2023 Twitch channel.

• Capcom Cup IX – Feb. 14-19
• EVO Japan 2023 – March 31 – April 2

8. Call of Duty League

Call of Duty has been one of the most renowned FPS franchises of the last two decades. While competitive play still took place, there was a long wait before they finally established the official Esports league, Call of Duty World League. The year 2023 is their fourth official year, and while the first Major has already concluded, with the NY Sublimers taking the title, there are still four more to go, and here's where you can catch them.

You can catch all the Call of Duty League (CDL) Esports major events on their Twitch channel here.

• CDL Major 2 – Feb. 2-5
• CDL Major 3 – March 9-12
• CDL Major 4 – April 13-16
• CDL Major 5 – May 25-28

7. Rainbow Six Siege

Speaking of renowned FPS games, we have Rainbow Six Siege. This tactical 5v5 breach and clear has gained popularity at the pro level due to its insanely critical gameplay. In the pro scene, players will literally peak angles at ridiculously fast speeds, or be holding a bombsite from a bullet-sized hole in the wall. The map knowledge and teamplay it takes to win games are utterly impressive and why it's worthwhile to watch the major Rainbow Six Siege Invitational Esports event in 2023 below:

You can watch the Six Invitational on their R6EsportsNA Twitch Channel here.

• Six Invitational – Feb. 7-19

6. Apex Legends

It's no secret battle royales have been on the rise over the years. One game that rode its wave of popularity is Apex Legends. Notably, it was the first battle royale to introduce a hero-shooter style into the genre by giving players a roster of different Legends, each with their own ability to change the flow of typical gunfight gameplay. The games are relatively new to the Esports scene, originally arriving in 2020, but its major events are surely on the come up and you don't want to miss the action arriving in 2023.

You can watch all the 2023 Apex Legends Global Series major Esports events on their Twitch channel here.

• ALGS Split 1 Playoffs – Feb. 2-5
• ALGS Split 2 Playoffs – June 8-11
• ALGS Championship – Summer 2023

5. Valorant

Valorant's another hero-shooter title, though being the first one to introduce the style to 5v5 tactical shooter style games. It's already amassed a huge fan base for the game's competitive scene and evidently why you don't want to miss its major Esports events coming up in 2023.

You can watch all the 2023 Valorant major Esports events on their Twitch channel here.

• Valorant LOCK/IN – Feb. 14 – March 4
• Valorant Masters 2023 – June TBD

4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO)

If you've been watching Esports for some time, or been gaming in general, CSGO needs no introduction. It is by far one of the biggest FPS games worldwide. Every year its Esports scene sees hundreds of thousands of fans catch its majors on Twitch and pack thousands of people into stadiums for live competitions. And, 2023 is gearing up for another year of exciting tournaments, full of insane clutches and flicks. Here are all the notable ones you'll want to catch:

You can watch all the 2023 CSGO major Esports events on ESL CSGO's Twitch channel here.

• IEM Katowice – Jan. 31 – Feb. 12
• Blast.tv Paris Major – May 8-21
• IEM Dallas – May 29 – June 4
• IEM Cologne – July 25 – Aug. 6

3. League of Legends

League of Legends is one of, if not, the biggest MOBA in the world. The argument would be with DOTA 2, which may not have many players (due to it being an immensely harder MOBA) but still, it holds a higher prize pool for its championship. Nonetheless, League of Legends players are on a level of their own when it comes to individual and team play. It's why it's the one Esports game whose championship continues to break viewership records year after year. So, if you want to add to the view count, here are the majors you'll want to catch in 2023.

You can watch all the 2023 League of Legends Esports major events on the Riot Games Twitch channel here.

• Mid-Season Invitational – May 2-21
• World Championship – October-November TBD

2. Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate

When it comes to platform fighters, Super Smash Bros. holds the almighty throne for the best game in the genre. There are two different Esports styles of the game, Melee, and Ultimate, with the former being the harder style to play. Regardless of which one you're into, the competition level is fierce with players having to make split-second decisions. There's one big tournament for Super Smash Bros. Melee this year, and here are the details for it.

VGBootcamp hosts most of the major Super Smash Bros. tournaments on their Twitch channel here, or you can catch them on Beyond The Summits Twitch Channel.

• Genesis 9 Jan. 20-22
• Smash Ultimate Summit 6 – March – TBD
• Collision 2023 – March 10-12
• Low Tide City 2023 – May 13-14
• Smash Summit 15 – June – TBD
• Get On My Level 2023 – July 21-23
• Riptide 2023 – Sept. 8-10

1. Dota 2

DOTA 2, the biggest MOBA of all time also holds the biggest Esports major every year, known as the Invitational. Its prize pull this year is over a swift $20 million, marking 2023 to be another great year for the event.

You can catch The Invitational on the dota2ti Twitch Channel here.

• The Invitational 2023 – October TBD

So, what's your take? Are there other majors we missed that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post Esports 2023: All Major Events & Where to Watch Them appeared first on Gaming.net.

If you're a fan of Riot's team-based hero shooter Valorant, you may also be a fan of games that follow a similar suit. In fact, there are a lot of games that combine weapons with characters who pose special abilities. It adds a new aspect to a game's gun gameplay that makes the experience unique from that of other notable first-person shooters. That's why if you enjoy the likes of that in Valorant, you might also enjoy the best games like Valorant which also feature the same concept.

Many of the games on this list, actually came before Valorant. So, although their action gameplay draws many similarities, it's based around an entirely unique concept to that of Valorants. That means there are tons of new experiences to be had, and it may even end up with you landing your next favorite hero shooter to grind. That's why it's worth checking out our picks for the five best games like Valorant, because it's full of the best hero shooters to ever come, aside from Valorant, obviously.

5. Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 was originally released back in 2007, and yet in 2022, it still has a huge surge of players stepping into the game every day. That makes it one of the oldest team-based shooters known in gaming and also a timeless classic. In the game, you face off in a 6v6 match across a variety of game modes such as Capture the Flag, Control Point, Arena, King of the Hill, and more. Then you pick a class and step into the action.

There are nine distinct classes to choose from, all with their own specific roles and abilities for how they play. For example, the Soldier can use his rocket to do a literal rocket jump without taking damage. The Scout is super fast and can bunny hop and even strafe on walls. Or go the sneaky route as the Spy and disguise yourself as enemy players to backstab them for an easy kill. Team Fortress 2 is as simplistic as team-based hero shooters get, but the game is perfectly balanced, and a ton of fun. After all, there's a reason it's been kicking around for so long, which also may have to do with the fact that it's free-to-play.

4. Paladins

Speaking of free-to-play hero shooters, another one that's worth checking out is Paladins. This team-based hero shooter immerses you in the realm of champions, with 5v5 gameplay split between Siege, a payload-based game mode, Onlsought, an objective-based game mode, and traditional team deathmatch. What distinguishes Paladins' gameplay from its competitors is that you can not only wield guns and use magic as a champion of the realm, but you can also completely alter your primary abilities to define your playstyle.

Paladins use a deck-building system to define your champion's gameplay. This gives you tons of cards to customize your champion into a variety of playstyles. You can have a super fast champion running around with hire-powered assault rifles, become an aerial sniper with flight abilities, or an explosive expert raining carnage, all as the same champion. Then you can combine these with the magic-based abilities of each of the champions in the game. Which makes for a new gameplay experience in every game.

3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valorant is a hero shooter, which means it has characters with unique skills to enhance the gameplay. The premise of its team-based shooter is to either defend or take control of a site by planting or defusing the bomb. It's largely the same model as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO), with the exception of the hero shooter part. CS:GO is a tactical team-based shooter, which means there are no special abilities and only pure gunplay.

You would think this makes for a simplistic game, but when it comes down to it, CS:GO is very complex. Tactical equipment such as flashbangs and smoke grenades must be utilized if you want to take over a site. Much like you would in Valorant with character abilities to wall off angles. Overall, players tend to compare CS:GO to Valorant because the premise of the game is effectively the same, with different gameplay components.

2. Apex Legends

Apex Legends is what you would get if you turned Valorant into a battle royale. Which is the easiest and most simple way to put it. In Apex Legends you go into a battle royale with roughly 60 players, comprised of 20 teams of three. Each team is made up of three legends with a total of 21 legends to choose from. Each legend features a unique passive, tactical and ultimate ability that can be used to change the momentum of the fight.

For example, Bloodhound has a tactical ability that scans the proximity around him, revealing enemies for a short time. Gibraltar is a tank legend and can deploy a huge shield for extra cover as his tactical ability. These are just a couple of examples, but each legend has its own unique list of abilities that define their gameplay. That means every team you fight will pose a different threat with the combination of legends and abilities at their disposal. This makes for constantly dynamic combat gameplay with many variables changing up the battlefield.

1. Overwatch

Our number one pick for the best games like Valorant is Overwatch. And you only have until October 4, 2022, to play the original game before Overwatch 2 replaces it. That's why it's best you get the most out of the original experience you can. Because there are some big changes being made for the game's next installment. Nonetheless, the gameplay at its core is still the same.

Players fight on a variety of maps that feature different game modes, like securing a site or pushing a payload. Each team has six players (Overwatch 2 is changing this to 5v5) who must choose a hero from the four main classes of Offense, Defense, Support, and Tank. Within each of those classes, each Hero is fully unique, with abilities and ultimates to use in addition to their basic attacks. This makes team composition in Overwatch highly important. But being one of the best team-based hero shooters of all time, it's without a doubt one of the best games like Valorant.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other best games like Valorant that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post 5 Best Games Like Valorant appeared first on Gaming.net.

First-person shooters (FPS) are unquestionably one of the most popular genres of games. Even if you don't main them, it's no secret that we all play one from time to time to satisfy our FPS cravings as gamers. In either case, it's always a good idea to mix up your experience with other first-person shooters because the genre has a lot to offer. And as August progresses, these are the first-person shooters we believe you should play, or at the very least try.

That's because there is an important factor, event, or reason we recommend playing all of these games in August. That is also why, coincidentally, now is a good time to enter these games because you never know when it will be your last chance. Which is exactly the case with our number one pick. We'll have more details as we get closer to our top pick, but remember to keep all of these first-person shooters in mind for August.

5. Battlefield 2042

Oh, remember EA's Battlefield 2042? We didn't either, to be honest. But that was before we found out how much Dice has been updating the game, which has been a lot. In fact, there have been about nine major updates since the release of Battlefield 2042, with its most recent one on August 2nd. We're also halfway through Season 1, which appears to be going well, so something must be going on – and that's because something is. The state of Battlefield 2042 has never been better.

That's right, eight months and nine updates later, we have a pretty stable Battlefield game. As a result, update 1.2, which was released on August 2nd, added a slew of new content to the game as well as changes to the Kaleidoscope map. Because this is the first map reworked for Battlefield 2042, players are flocking to try out the new scenery. That's why it might be worthwhile to spend the rest of August immersed in Battlefield 2042, as the first-person shooter is finally up to acceptable standards.

4. Valorant

Many people are hesitant to play Valorant, but if you've been playing CS:GO for the better half of the last decade and haven't tried its counterpart yet, you should. We know adding special abilities to in-game agents sounds complicated but it creates some truly unique, site-based gameplay. However, there are two reasons why we specifically urge you to play Valorant in August.

The Masters Copenhagen Finals concluded on July 24th, with FunPlus Phoenix taking home the championship trophy. Anytime near Masters is a good time to get into the game because there is usually a wave of new players who follow. Another reason is that the game received an update on August 9th, which brought significant changes to multiple agents. Having said that, Valorant is one of those first-person shooters you just have to try, because you never really know how much fun it is until you give it a shot.

3. Escape From Tarkov

We've discussed Escape From Tarkov on our blog before for other reasons, but it's truly a unique concept that you should try. That is if you want an FPS game that will have your hands sweating and heart racing. That's because in Escape from Tarkov, players equip their Playable Main Character (PMC) with weapons and gear and load them into a map to loot, kill, and extract. The catch is that if you die, you lose all of your loot, which basically serves as in-game currency. So, you could say that the stakes are high.

However, due to people constantly hoarding loot in Escape from Tarkov, the game resets all of its servers every 4-6 months, give or take. This returns everyone to their starting level and wipes their inventories, restarting the grind. And the most recent wipe occurred on June 29th, just over a month ago. That means it's still relatively new and a good time to get into the game because no one will be ridiculously geared just yet. If you really want to step outside your boundaries and try some high-stakes first-person shooters in August, Escape from Tarkov is the way to go.

2. Apex Legends

Apex Legends has just launched its newest season, Season 14: Hunted on August 9th. With it, it's bringing a new Legend, overhauls for the King's Canyon Map, and a new battle pass with some tasty skins and cosmetics. All of which you can read more about here. When it comes to ranked gameplay, all players' ranks are soft reset (Not completely reset, but lowered by a rank or two) to reshuffle the competitive scene.

All of these are compelling reasons to jump into Apex Legends this August, but there's more. Season 14: Hunted is also bringing second, third, and fourth prestiges to the game for the first time. That means the grind has only just begun. As a result, expect a large number of gamers to prioritize Apex Legends over other first-person shooters this month. Since there is a ton of new content to grind with Season 14: Hunted launching.

1. Overwatch

We can't believe it's been over 6 years since Overwatch was first released, which all started with this stunning Cinematic Trailer that really gave us goosebumps to play the game. However, when Overwatch 2 releases on October 4th, Overwatch will no longer be playable. And, while we're getting an equally epic cinematic journey that's getting us excited to play the new game, it's still sad to see Overwatch be replaced by its “newer” and “better” older brother.

That is why of all the first-person shooters you should play this August, we recommend Overwatch because there isn't much time left. There's just over a month and a half left to be more precise. That means you only have a limited amount of time to bask in Overwatch's glory and cherish the memories you made while playing the original game. Because we have no idea how Overwatch 2 will compare to its original. Especially with the gameplay change from 5v5 to 6v6.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other first-person shooters that you recommend in August? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post 5 First-Person Shooters You Should Play This August appeared first on Gaming.net.

Twitch is the most popular platform for watching games and, unsurprisingly, the platform of choice for streamers. From pro-gamers to casual gamers, Twitch is a safe haven for anyone who enjoys video games. And, because there is so much variety, new games are constantly making their way into the top five most viewed for each month. Well, ironically, the top five most popular games on Twitch don't feature much variety, instead, they consist of a lot of competitive titles, we know all too well.

That's why it's not a big surprise that these competitive games are Twitch's most popular as of July 2022, since they consistently attract a large audience. However, there are most likely some solid reasons, such as a tournament or event that took place which caused these games to gain more popularity than usual. That's why we're going to find out exactly why these five games have secured their spot as the top five most popular games on Twitch.

5. Apex Legends

Coming in as the fifth most popular game on Twitch in the month of July is Apex Legends. Being one of the most popular battle royales that constantly see a high viewership, we're actually surprised that the game didn't poll higher for this month. Nonetheless, it made the top five, most notably because there's big news for the new Season 14: Hunted, which is set to premiere on August 9th. With it, everyone's ranks will be soft reset, which means it's back to grind time.

However, this time period, roughly a month to two weeks before the reset, is also a high time to grind, as players make a last-ditch effort to improve their rank. This is also a time when the dust has settled and the respective ranks feature equal competition, resulting in some of the game's best gameplay. As a result, there are usually many sponsored streams, streamer tournaments, and competitive tournaments for the season's best players. Apex Legends evidently grossed a whopping 14.8 million hours watched in July 2022, and with a few days left, those numbers are still rising.

4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

One of the longest-standing competitive FPS games to date, CS:GO, made its way into the fourth spot for the most popular Twitch games in July with good reasoning. There were a handful of tournaments that took place, but the most notable of all is the iconic Intel Extreme Masters (IEM). It's the most notable because the competition typically features a million-dollar prize pool and the world's best CS:GO teams. This was exactly the case for IEM XVII Cologne, which took place from July 5th to July 17th, 2022.

So, with every CS:GO fan marking the event on their calendars, it was shaping up to be a big event that would undoubtedly attract a large number of Twitch viewers. And with 16 of CS:GO's best teams battling in the group stage, with only four cracking the playoffs, there was a lot of riveting CS:GO action to watch. It all came down to a premiere showdown between Natus Vincere (NA' VI) and Faze Clan, which saw Faze Clan clinching the series final in an exciting fifth game. Overall, the popular event resulted in CS:GO ranking fourth on Twitch in July, with 19.7 million hours watched and counting.

3. Grand Theft Auto V

GTA V is the only non-competitive game ranking on our list for the most popular Twitch games of July 2022. Even nine years after the game's release, we're still pleased to see how popular it remains, but its viewership in July was undoubtedly influenced by one popular annual event. That being the Independence Day event, which celebrates July 4th, along with the rest of the states, however in GTA V Online.

With the event comes a limited time for players to capture Independence Day themed items for their vehicles, weapons, and wardrobes. During the time of this event, which this year took place between June 30 and July 6th, 2022, the streets of Los Santos are a little crazier than usual. With many players and streamers alike hopping online to join in on the Independence Day fun. In total, GTA V received 23.6 million hours of viewing time in July, with the event accounting for a sizable portion of that.

2. Valorant

Valorant is the biggest title competing in the same genre of FPS as CS:GO, but it hasn't quite surpassed CS:GO's overall popularity just yet. However, being the second most popular game on Twitch is a good indication that it is gaining traction over it's competition. Much like how CS:GO had a big event in July, so did Valorant with Masters: Copenhagen. Being one of the biggest stops on the Valorant Champions Tour 2022, it surely helped the game gain notoriety on Twitch in July 2022.

The Masters: Copenhagen took place from July 10th to the 24th, and featured a barrage of talent across the 12 qualifying teams. The final came down to a showdown between Paper Rex and FunPlus Phoenix, which saw over 200,000 viewers on Twitch and a sold-out stadium. Valorant's Masters: Copenhagen reached a peak of over 700,000 viewers across all streams, including Twitch, YouTube, and others. And a total of 24.3 million hours watched in the month of July, narrowly beating out GTA V.

1. League of Legends

Time and time again League of Legends (LoL) persists as one of Twitch's most popular titles. Ranking among the top three most popular games on Twitch, month after month. This is especially true during the summer, when there are numerous LoL pro tournaments, many of which take place in July. With that, many of them are still ongoing, so as expected, July is a busy and popular month for the game. That's why it's no surprise it's the most popular game on Twitch.

All of these tournaments, including those taking place in August, are vital ones before the biggest LoL event of the year, the World Championship 2022, which takes place in September. That's why the game racked up more than 25 million hours of viewing in July, with the figure expected to rise even further. So don't be surprised if LoL is one of Twitch's most popular games in August and September, as big tournaments are fueling the game for an exciting stretch of competition.

So, what's your take? Are you surprised these were the most popular games on Twitch in July 2022? What other games do you think will make August's most popular games on Twitch? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

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It's a known fact that the online world doesn't exactly run on sunshine and rainbows. Needless to say, we've seen our fair share of toxic communities in online multiplayer games just as much as the next casual gamer. It's built into the blood of nearly every PvP game in existence, and it's an obstacle nobody can really avoid. It's a hostile playground, and toxicity, whether we like it or not, comes with the territory.

Just last year, a survey shed light on the most toxic video games of 2021. To our surprise, the titles we assumed were strewn with kind-hearted folk ended up being the weightiest anchors. Today, the standings remain motionless, meaning the developers have done little to abolish the harassment that plagues the lobbies. And if you're curious to know which games still bear the lead paperweights, then allow us to clue you in. Here are the most toxic gaming communities right now.

5. League of Legends

League of Legends may hold its own as one of the most successful battle arena games ever conceived, but that doesn't alter the fact that its online community is littered with power-hungry trolls. This has been the case ever since it first came about in 2009, and not a great deal has been done to fix it in, well, a decade. And that's a crying shame, as the game itself is booming with only the finest MOBA qualities.

Of course, any game with a global backing is sure to attract some level of unwanted attention. League, however, sports a lighthouse for a chassis, and it shows. The bottom line is, it's blinding toxicity is the reason for the rapid decline in new players. Riot Games, however, continue to let the ships plough into it, making weary tourists afraid to swim in its waters.

4. FIFA

FIFA has established itself as one of the most competitive video game series on the planet. But with great competition, however, comes an overwhelming amount of hot-headed players, many of whom use online matchmaking games to channel their anger. Because of this, the series has garnered a pretty poor reputation for being a stain on the sporting front.

For many, FIFA isn't just a game, but a portal to a whole other world. A world that, like most Esports games, revolves around leaderboards and statistics. It's a means to an end for some, which of course makes the pressure of winning a whole lot higher. Still, it doesn't excuse the questionable behaviour that many players sport. And the fact is, newcomers would much rather stay away from the big leagues than entertain them.

3. Call of Duty: Vanguard

Call of Duty is notorious for having one of the worst player bases in gaming, something that is exacerbated by the savage Esports events that are anything but friendly. Vanguard really is no different, which is a hard pill to swallow given the fact that fans of the series have been hounding its makers to banish the toxicity for a fair few years now.

The fact is, Vanguard retains the lion's share of the bitter critiques, with reports of harassment, threats, and cyber bullying forever making rounds all over the globe. For these reasons, a rough 42% of players either abandon the game altogether, or revert back to the game's offline campaign to get their kicks. But tell us one soul who buys Call of Duty for its campaign mode. It's predominantly online, as it always has been, which is why it's all the more frustrating that nothing is being done to squeeze the severs of all its toxicity.

2. Dota 2

If you're wanting to stream an engaging Esport, then you needn't look any further than Dota 2 to get your quality fix. As it's played by some of the industry's biggest pro gamers, its frequent tournaments often boast ludicrously high prize pools. Sure enough, that's why the vast majority tune in: to see which team conquers the monopoly and claims the lion's share of the score. But playing it for yourself, on the other hand, is a different story, and not a kind-hearted one, either.

Of course, it's no secret that Dota 2 is an incredibly demanding game. This harsh learning curve, though, has led to some players using competitors as virtual punching bags in the heat of the moment. And if there's one thing Dota 2 isn't short on—it's moments. It's a playground flooded with a lot of amped up players, and it isn't very often you'll be greeted with praise and polite conversation.

1. Valorant

Well, there you have it; Valorant, the most toxic video game community of 2022. Unfortunately, this isn't the first strike for Riot Games' free-to-play first-person shooter. In fact, surveys considered the game the most toxic of not only 2020, but 2021, too. For this, a hat trick has officially been scored, making it one of the most toxic communities to ever embrace the system.

So, what's Riot Games doing to prevent the rapid incline in toxicity? Well, a few bits and pieces, really. Though, going by a report made a little while back, Valorant muted 400,000 players, and served up 40,000 bans. And that was just the statistics from a single month alone. Today, the developer continues to battle the brutal community by implementing automatic detection systems in each session. And it works, for the most part, anyway. Nevertheless, it is still considered a worldwide issue among gamers, giving Riot Games and its moderators one heck of a headache.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Valorant will undergo significant changes, with Riot intending to remove one of the game's original maps and replace it with the new map Pearl. Split, Bind, and Haven consist of the game's first three competitive maps, although Split is decidedly getting the boot. From launch, players have been on the fence about Split, since the map play's a bit unbalanced, but it still saddening to see it leave the Competitive map pool.

Map team members Joe Lansford and Joey Simas spoke on Valorant's ambitions to continue with a consistent seven-map pool during today's Valorant Episode 5 reveal Livestream. Of course, the main reason for Split's removal comes in light of a new map called Pearl. According to leaks, the map will come alongside the release of Episode 5 Act 1, on June 22, 2022. Riot gave an early peek at Pearl on Twitter today, which seems to be an underwater-themed map.

Join us for Dia do Santuário–a celebration of PEARL: The wonder beneath the waves. pic.twitter.com/7zR9zMiuY5

— VALORANT (@PlayVALORANT) June 16, 2022

New Valorant Pearl Map Details

The New Valorant map Pearl is based in Portugal, on Omega Earth. More specifically in a town under the Portuguese ocean. Art Lead Brian Yam commented, “The idea of showing the sustainment of cities underwater seemed to be the right visual direction that everyone was excited about.”. Furthermore, the map contains traditional music from local artists and artwork from actual Protoguese muralists to give it an authentic atmosphere.

In terms of how the map plays, Riot commented that Pearl is the most “straight-forward” map released since Valorants launch. Riot further mentioned that the map will feature no special mechanics like ziplines or teleporters, just a simple three-lane concept. The map does have some verticality, as Attackers will have to descend into one of the Defender's bomb sites.

Along with Season 5 Act 1 will come the usual 50-tier battle pass, with sprays skins, Radianite Points, and more. Apart from that, there's been no comments about a new agent coming for Act 1. And of course, Split will be removed from the Unrated and Competitive map pool to make room for Pearl. From now on, Split will only be featured in shorter game modes, like Spike Rush.

So, what's your take? Are you excited about the new map Pearl? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post Riot Removes Original Map from Valorant for New Map Pearl appeared first on Gaming.net.

During the Xbox and Bethesda showcase today, Riot made a rather large announcement. Riot Games is bringing their most notable PC and mobile games to Game Pass, with some special offers. Those games are League of Legends, League of Legends Wild Rift, Valorant, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics. These games may already be free, but the in-game content, such as the full roster of characters and cards isn't. Most of them require you to grind points or otherwise purchase new characters, but that's all about to change for Game Pass members.

With a Game Pass subscription, you now automatically unlock all the champions in League of Legends, LoL Wild Rift, and all the agents in Valorant. For Legends of Runeterra the Foundations Set is unlocked and in Teamfight Tactics, select Little Legends can be unlocked. Marc Merril, Riot's President of Games, who made the news, also mentioned there's more to come in the future.

Not only is this a huge grab for Game Pass but it's one of the biggest moves we've seen made by Riot. Since Riots games are free, their main source of income derives from in-game purchases. This is evidently why we've never seen a deal of this caliber for as long as these titles have been out.

Game Pass 🤝 Riot Games

We're leveling up all Game Pass members’ experience with some legendary PC & mobile games | #XboxBethesda @LeagueofLegends & @WildRift – All Champions ✅@PlayVALORANT – All Agents ✅@TFT – Select Little Legends ✅@PlayRuneterra  – Foundations Set ✅ pic.twitter.com/vodVBoxuGg

— Xbox Game Pass (@XboxGamePass) June 12, 2022

A Huge Incentive for Game Pass Subscribers

This sheer monstrosity of this deal can most clearly be seen in League of Legends. The game has a total of 159 champions, however, you only start with the base 16, which are all free. To get new champions you either have to purchase them or grind for Riot Points (RP) or Blue Essence (BE), which is a rather long grind just to unlock a single champion. So by subscribing to Game Pass, you are automatically getting all of these champions at your disposal.

The feature isn't out yet, as the trailer noted the Riot Game Pass crossover will be “coming this winter”. That most likely indicates it will come in December 2022, or January 2023. The trailer also mentioned XP boost will come alongside this – As if the incentive wasn't high enough already.

So, what's your take? Are you excited Riot is coming to Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post Riot is Coming to Game Pass with all League Champions, Valorant Agents, and More appeared first on Gaming.net.

One genre of games that has amassed the most amount of titles is FPS. Within that genre, is a compilation of thousands of different sub-genres of FPS from mil-sims to battle royales. Yet, despite the absurd amount of games, the same titles seem to remain the genre's most popular. That's the case for the five best FPS games right now, which is June of 2022. The hierarchy has well-been established and does not appear to be changing anytime soon.

That's most likely because as it stands now, the top five FPS games of June are bringing balance to the FPS genre. The list has a good degree of diversity, with each title providing an original experience. For a long time, it was dominated by Battlefield, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. All these games remain significant in the FPS genre, however, they are taking a period to recuperate, leaving the window open for other games. The games on this list saw their opportunity, seized it, and are looking to hold it. As a result, they make the current standings as the best FPS games right now.

5. Escape From Tarkov

Escape From Tarkov made a huge presence in the FPS scene back on the 16th of December 2021. That's most likely because roughly every four months the game completely wipes itself, resetting gamers back to the start. This brings balance back to the game, but also tons of hype to start grinding it again. That was exactly the case last wipe, and most likely will be the result of the most recent one, which is expected to take place sometime in June.

If you haven't yet played Escape from Tarkov, this is an excellent time to do it, so you can properly prepare yourself for the following wipe. That's not just talking about loot, which will all be eradicated with the wipe, but mainly in-game knowledge.

Escape from Tarkov is the most complex FPS game you'll ever play, from map, loot, and to even gun knowledge. If you want to survive, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the maps, as you could just be leading yourself into a hotbed for action. You'll also need to know how to loot in order to finish tasks and equip yourself with sustainable gear.  Lastly, gun modifications are a one-to-one replica, with a full market for parts. Plus, you'll also have to face the harsh reality of Tarkov, which is that the game is relentlessly unforgiving and nerve-racking in its gameplay, making it extremely rewarding.

4. Valorant

Valorant is a 5v5 tactical shooter made by riot games. The game was recently released in 2020 and already has made itself into a competitive Esport. As a result, it's compiled a wave of die-hard fans supporting it. Ultimately your goal in Valorant is to plant or defuse the bomb at multiple bomb sites. What Valorant doe's so different with this idea is the inclusion of abilities and ultimates in its gameplay. Your abilities must be considered and utilized to win the round, just as you rely on your aim to win a gun battle.

This makes Valorant one of the more complex FPS titles on the scene, which gamers seem to love or hate. However, the game is still a lot of fun to play, and it's still a new title, so we haven't seen the full extent of where its popularity can and might go to. Plus, with news just recently revealed about Valorant's new 2022 Esports plans, fans have never been more excited to grind the game in anticipation of what's to come.

3. CS:GO

Before Valorant came CS:GO. Since its release in 2012, CS:GO has been one of the most played FPS games of all time. And even a decade later, in 2022, the title remains as one of the most played FPS games. CS:GO is also a 5v5 tactical shooter, where Terrorist and Counter-Terrorist look to plant or defuse the bomb on a bombsite. While that may sound like a simple concept, there is a massive amount of strategy that goes into every decision.

It's exactly that strategy that has made the game such a long-running success. And with so much going on in the Esports scene in June, it's shaping up to be another fantastic month for the game. There are five pro tournaments taking place, with two of CSGO's most notable ones, that being IEM XVII Dallas and the BLAST premier Spring Final. As a result of all the Esports hype, fans are coming back to the game to test out how their skills match up in ranked play. Making CS:GO one of the best FPS games right now in June.

2. Apex Legends

When Apex Legends first came out in 2019, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. The game had a rush of players at first, then it didn't, then they came back and left again; it was a constant back and forth. However, the game has now brought itself to a place where gamers are here to stay since it has risen to one of the best FPS games in recent months, with the trend expected to continue in June.

Apex Legends is a 3v3 battle royale, with guns, of course, however much like Valorant each character, known as champions, has their own abilities and ultimate to use in battle. This combined with the incredibly fast-paced movement of the game has made Apex Legends one of the hardest FPS battle royales out there. Players are loving the challenge more than ever, as the game has never been in a more refined state. Plus, Season 13 just released with a new champion, changing the current meta.

1. PUBG: Battlegrounds

Some FPS titles, just never lose their amusement. That argument can be made for PUBG, which is already in its fifth year and continues to dominate the FPS landscape. The game dominated all FPS titles in player count in May of 2022, and while it may slip due to other FPS action in June, you can expect PUBG to remain high on the list. The game has grown into one of the highest-paying esports games, simply for its outstanding FPS gameplay.

Players drop into a battle royale and from there must loot up, kill and be the last one standing to be the winner, winner, chicken dinner. It is a simple concept, but PUBG has executed it so well that players can't get enough of the game's gunfight gameplay. Every fight feels challenging and complete, from close quarters fighting to far-ranging snipes. The only question left, is are you good enough of a marksman to take on its dedicated player base? Only one way to find out.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other great FPS games right now that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post 5 Best FPS Games Right Now (June 2022) appeared first on Gaming.net.

With the Overwatch 2 beta ending on May 17, it's safe to say that reactions to the new and improved game were divided. If you were one of the lucky few who had beta access, we'd love to hear your opinions in the comments, since we're sure you have a similar feeling. Overall, there was a lack of new content and the game seemed like a re-skinned version of itself, leaving a poor first impression. In light of this, you're probably still dying to play a new game that matches the competitive FPS feel of Overwatch. That's why we're bringing you the five FPS games you should play before Overwatch 2.

All of the games on this list share characteristics with Overwatch and its soon-to-be second installment. They're also all centered on competitive team-based FPS action, so your Overwatch experience and knowledge should come in handy for these games as well. So, if you're searching for something to scratch that itch before Overwatch 2 arrives “sometime in 2023,” these games should do the trick. And hopefully, by then your senses will be sharp and refined for when the game releases.

5. Rainbow Six Siege

The most noticeable change in Overwatch 2 is the shift from 6v6 to 5v5 multiplayer. It's not the shift we anticipated to see with the new title, and there are some disagreements over whether it's better or worse. Well, if you're on the opposing side of the fence, head over to Rainbow Six Siege. The game is an iconic 6v6 multiplayer FPS, with many similarities to Overwatch, not directly, but more or less in its gameplay and overall mechanics.

Firstly, each person must pick a character with their own abilities to help them in combat. These aren't as wildly creative as Overwatch, since Siege is more of a breach and clear shooter. Most of these abilities are based on real-life Swat Team devices and technologies. However, they work the same in that they could help change the tide of combat and need to try and be used effectively. Another area that needs to be used effectively, much like Overwatch, is teamwork. You won't be able to play this game alone, and it's practically necessary that you cooperate with your teammates in order to succeed.

4. Apex Legends

The closest experience you can get to an Overwatch FPS battle royale is Apex Legends. This is mainly in terms of its playable characters known as, Legends. Hence the name. Currently, there are 18 Apex Legends characters, all with a passive, two core abilities, and one main ultimate. Sounding somewhat familiar? Much like in Overwatch as well, composition between these characters can be a deciding factor if your squad gets steamrolled through or not.

The game is extremely movement based which results in a lot of fast-paced action. If you've played Overwatch, you'll know that the team battles are flat-out frantic and chaotic. In turn, the battles in Apex Legends may not be as hectic as they're typically 3v3 unless that nasty third-party shows up. However, they're similarly challenging in terms of how quickly things take place. This is where quick-time strategic decisions need to be made to counter whatever the enemy team may be throwing at you.

3. Destiny 2

Making parallels between Destiny 2 and Overwatch is a little more difficult than with the other games on our list. Mainly because there aren't many direct correlations. However, there still is a solid reason it's included, aside from it being an FPS/TPS. The game can be enjoyed in PvE, but we reckon most of you Overwatch fans will take a liking to the PvP. Much like Overwatch, communication, and coordination in movements, attacks, and abilities is key to success.

You can choose between three classes, which are Warlocks, Hunters, and Titans. Their abilities aren't overly game-changing but do come in handy from time to time. The main focus here is between team play and FPS action, which gets more and more extensive the deeper you dive into the game. As you progress your character's weapons and abilities further open up. Even more so in PvE if you're willing to give it a try. The game may not compare directly to Overwatch, but it's still worth the time of day to try out.

2. Valorant

Now a highly comparable title to Overwatch can be found in Valorant. This game might just be exactly what you need to get prepared for Overwatch 2's release. In a similar setting to CS:GO, players face off 5v5 to protect/defuse a bomb site. The big comparison kicker, Valorants characters, known as Agents, come with their own abilities. These include a passive, two main abilities, and of course a game-changing ultimate.

It's actually a bit ironic how similar some of Overwatch's heroes are to Valorants Agents, with some being almost spitting images of each other. However, because of that, we can surely say that Valorant is an excellent option among the FPS games you should play before Overwatch 2. There are some ironic parallels between the two games, primarily with the characters, but Overwatch aficionados will undoubtedly resonate with the similarities between the two games.

1. Paladins

Speaking of similarities between the two games, Paladins is a game that has been accused of copying Overwatch. Not just from the characters you play and their abilities, but also from the game modes and art style. As a result, many Overwatch fans have criticized the game for attempting to capitalize on the popularity of its original notion— which is far from the truth. However, because of all these similarities, we can say this is “the game” of FPS games you should play before Overwatch 2.

There is one defining difference between these two games, which is the character customization of Paladins. Through a “card” system, you can customize your character to appeal to your play style in that game. This allows for good cooperation of strategy in the game. This is much needed because Paladins is coming in on much bigger maps, with a much slower style. This puts the majority of focus on teamwork and strategy, something you should know all too well from Overwatch.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other games FPS games like Overwatch 2 that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!

The post 5 FPS Games You Should Play Before Overwatch 2 appeared first on Gaming.net.

Two notable games in the Esport competitive scene are Valorant and Overwatch. More often than not, Valorant has been compared to CS:GO, however, it does share numerous similarities with Overwatch. This mainly comes on the basis of each game's characters and their special abilities. Aside from that, the two games' maps, game modes, and basic mechanics are different from each other. So if you're unclear about which one suits you best, we got you covered. By comparing the difference in Agents vs Heroes, the difference in their abilities, and maps and game modes, you can decide which game is right for you.

What is Valorant?

Valorant is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter with the inclusion of unique agent abilities. Developed by Riot Games, players work together to either plant or defuse a bomb on the A or B bombsite on various maps.

While gun gameplay is the main focus for eliminating enemies, characters can also use their agent abilities to help. Each character comes with three basic special abilities and an additional fourth one, which acts as their ultimate. The agent's abilities vary from player to player and help change the field of battle in each round. Most agents' ultimates can work to kill opponents, however, the focus is still on FPS gameplay. There is a kick! If you want to use weapons and the added benefit of your hero abilities, they will cost you in-match money. You and your team get credited a certain allowance every round, which varies depending on your round performance.

What is Overwatch?

Overwatch is a 6v6 team-based action game where you play as and against various heroes. While playing various game modes, each player must choose a hero to play. Unlike Valorant, there aren't guns in Overwatch unless you pick a hero, like Macree or Soldier 76 who wields one. Each hero is different in his or her abilities, some are meant for marksman shooting, close-quarters melee, splash area damage, or just good old fashion run and gun. Alongside the character's weapon of choice, they come with three abilities, two basic ones, and one ultimate. These suit the character's role, of Tank, Damage, or Support and typically fall in line with the character's design as well.

Difference in Agents Vs Heroes

Valorant and Overwatch draw many similarities with one another, mainly for their playable characters. Currently, in Valorant there are eighteen total agents which are classified into four categories of the Duelist, Initiator, Sentinel, and Controller. Once you have picked your agent you are locked in as that character for the game.

In Overwatch, there are a total of 32 playable heroes. The three different hero roles are Tank, Damage, and Support. Team composition plays a huge role in Overwatch, more so than Valorant, so choosing your role will have more implications for the match. However, Overwatch doe's allow you to switch heroes mid-game, to adjust for strategy and composition.

The main difference between Valorants Agents and Overwatch's heroes is their impact in the game. Overwatch works entirely off of the hero you play and the abilities they're equipped with, as these make up the game's basic fighting mechanics. However, Valorant's basic fighting mechanics are FPS gameplay, with the added inclusion of agent abilities to shift the tide. So, neither one is better or worst, it depends on your preference of if you want more FPS inclusion or not.

Difference in Abilities

Credit: Sportskeeda

In Valorant each Agent has varying abilities, that can sway the momentum of a round. So for example, some characters' abilities include smoke bombs, walls to block sight, drones for radar, or even quick dashing abilities. Agent's ultimates can get more advanced. There is high area of damage inflicting ultimates, some grant your Agent with special attacking powers, to even being able to teleport anywhere on the map, or see anyone on the map. You can choose to use or not to use these abilities, as the importance is on using your gun, but they can play a huge role on the victor of the round.

In Overwatch, a hero's class defines their kit of abilities which in turn, defines the way that hero is played. For example, if you are picking a Tank or Support hero, you will be granted a primary offensive weapon, however, you're abilities will work to heal or block damage for other players. These are more team-based hero roles. However, for heroes in the Damage class, their abilities will grant extra powers to the hero or their primary weapon. Allowing you alternative way's to fight and inflict damage. This is the case for Ultimates between characters as well.

So, mainly the difference between Valorant and Overwatch's characters' abilities is their in-game impact. Overwatch relies on its heroes' abilities for in-game combat. Valorant relies on gun gameplay, with the additional benefit of abilities to further open up the gameplay.

Difference in Maps & Game Modes

Valorant Map (Left) Overwatch (Right)

Valorant currently has seven playable maps, that all work in an arena style. These maps work with two or three lanes, which players have to push through in order to get to the bomb site. The middle lane usually offers alternatives to push to each side of the map, rather than taking the direct route. All of these maps are playable, regardless of the game mode, with matches ending with the first team to win 13 rounds. Plant and Defuse is the most popular game mode, which is also the standard competitive mode, however, there are other non-competitive game modes such as replication, spike rush, deathmatch, and even snowball fights.

Overwatch currently has 30 playable maps. All maps are in different styles and don't follow one suit, like Valorant. Each game mode has its own playlist of maps from the overall pool that are appropriate for that game style. In competitive, there are four different game modes of Assualt, Control, Escort, and Hybrid. You can play the maps in non-competitive, alongside Capture the Flag, Deathmatch, and Elimination. These typically work in a best of three, with players switching sides each round.

The Final Verdict

In terms of characters and abilities, Valorant and Overwatch have many crossovers. However, in its core gameplay, the games are entirely unique. Valorant quite literally takes on the same gameplay and style as CS:GO, and is essentially the same in every way. Except for the added inclusion of character abilities, which change the battlefield and ultimates can offer various ways to kill opponents other than guns. Regardless of the character abilities, Valorants focus is on gun gameplay, compared to Overwatch whose focus is entirely on character abilities.

This means that Valorant isn't as detrimental in choosing its Agents, as abilities fall second-hand to guns. Overwatch is hugely important in choosing your hero as it defines the way that character is played and has a huge role in your team's composition. Both games, are high in strategy and have huge competitive scenes, so deciding on which one comes down to if you prefer FPS gameplay, over a concoction of various fighting styles. Neither is superior, and both succeed in their own style.

Which game do you think is the best between in this duel of Valorant vs Overwatch? Share your pick with us in the comments below or over on our socials here!

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