In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, True Rippers emerged victorious over Reckoning Esports in the India Closed Qualifiers for the Convergence 2023 Valorant tournament. This triumph marks a significant milestone for True Rippers, granting them a coveted spot in the prestigious Valorant Convergence Lan Event. The Lan is all set to take place in the vibrant city of Bangalore. With the Grand Finals concluding tonight let us take a look at this interesting Best Of 5 and how True Rippers came victorious against Reckoning Esports.

Also Read: How To Get Valorant Convergence 2023 LAN Tickets

Valorant Convergence 2023: True Rippers Claw Their Way to the Finals, and Win!

Let us roll back the clock just a little bit back to the winners' finals of the India Close Qualifiers. The match was between True Rippers and Reckoning Esports. This match ended in a 2-0 defeat for True Rippers. On the map of Lotus, True Rippers lost 13-7 due to an insane performance by players such as Excali, Harshhh, and Anq. Excali ended that game with a 60% headshot percentage. On the second map of Ascent, Reckoning was forced to make a comeback and win the map 17-15. The player to watch for this map was Anq who ended the match with a 30/23/6 KDA. 

Due to this result, True Rippers were pushed into the lower finals and had to face Grayfox. That match was quite a close affair but True Rippers came up clutch winning the Best Of 3 with a score of 2-1. The stage was set for the Grand Finals to be the rematch between currently the two best teams in India.

Valorant Convergence: A Recap Of The Nail Biting Best Of 5 

The first map similar to their previous Best OF 3 was the map of Lotus. History did repeat itself with Reckoning Esports winning this map with a score of 13-9. The player who shone the brightest on this map was Anq. He ended the map with a KDA of 19/13/5. It must have left like deja vu for True Rippers as the second map was Ascent. The only difference was that there wasn’t overtime. Instead, True Rippers won this map with a score of 13-11. The player who was quite the clutch for his team was Techno. He ended the map with a KDA of 22/15/10. 

The third map was played on Bind and the score wasn’t something anyone expected. I must state that this map was selected by Reckoning Esports. True Rippers won this map in dominating fashion winning the map with a score of 13-2. D1srupt was on fire during this map while playing the character of Raze. He ended the game with a KDA of 22/9/0. A massive point to note is that the player had zero assists. This means that each time there was a duel against him, d1srupt came on top for most of the attempts.

Map 4 was played in the map of Haven. Reckoning Esports realized that losing this game would result in them being out of the tournament. As such they brushed off the previous match and won the first 8 rounds of this map. The final score ended in 13-9. True Rippers did win 5 rounds in a row but it just wasn’t enough for them to initiate the comeback. The MVP of this map was none other than Anq who finished this map with a KDA of 26/12/5. One could see him oozing with confidence while playing on Jett getting the first kill in 5 rounds.

This performance led us all into Map 5 to decide which team would be invited to the Valorant Convergence Lan Event in Bangalore. True Rippers started this game with quite a lot of ferocity. During the first half, they went on to win 10 rounds with ease. On defense, it did feel like no one could go past d1srupt on the map of Breeze. He ended the first half with a KDA of 11/3/0 with 3 First Kills. On attack, it honestly felt like d1srupt was allowed to let loose and he proved his mark. He ended the second half with a KDA of 11/6/0 having a 44% headshot percentage. 

This incredible performance by d1srupt as well as by players like Techno and Deathmaker is the reason that True Rippers could win the India Close Qualifers and become the 6th team to take part in the event hosted by The Esports Club. 

With PUBG Nations Cup (PNC) concluded fans have been wondering what's next for their favorite battle royale title in the esports scene. Krafton has recently released the complete PUBG Esports 2025 Roadmap, with all the necessary details one would have to know to follow the tournaments.

Looking ahead, fans have a lot to look forward to with PUBG Esports 2024 Roadmap elaborating all the content lined up for the coming year. The 2025 calendar consists of 9 tournaments, each with its twist.

Also read: PUBG Mobile World Cup 2024: Teams, Schedule, And Prize Pool

Complete PUBG Esports 2025 Calendar

PUBG Esports 2025 is progressing with its basic overall structure, hosting 6 global-level tournaments: PGS, PNC, and PGC. Only the top-performing teams throughout the year will advance to the global events.

Various tournaments are set to be hosted throughout the year, which will reward teams with respectable prizes, as they move towards the PUNG Global Championship (PGC). All Tournaments in PUBG Esports 2025 Calendar

• March: Regional Series
• April: PGS 7
• May: PGS 8
• June: PNC 2025
• July: Regional Series
• September: Regional Series:
• October: PGS 9
• November: PGS 10
• December: PGS 2025

Road to PGC 2025

Krafton has stated that PGS will remain a foundation for the journey with teams preparing for the PGC 2025. The calendar has scheduled four events across the year.

Each PGS event will feature 24 teams, consisting of 10 Global Partner Teams and 14 Regional Series Qualifiers from five regions. The regions include China, Korea, EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.

The distribution is as follows:

• China: 2 Seeds
• Korea: 3 Seeds
• EMEA: 2 Seeds
• APAC: 4 Seeds
• Americas: 3 Seeds

The Regional Series from the above will offer the teams to write their journey towards the biggest tournament of the year, PUBG Global Championship (PGC).

Krafton is also working towards 'thrilling' global events that bring the best teams together into the international spotlight. The PUBG Nations Cup (PNC) is also making a return next year, bringing all-star teams together from across the globe as they represent their countries.

Krafton has officially stated that the announcement for applications to the PUBG Global Partner Team Program 2025 will commence on December 1, 2024, at PUBGEsports.com. Applicants will have ample time to prepare, as they go through a thorough internal evaluation. The selection process will be concluded by February 2025.

As Indian gamers immerse themselves in mobile games, a new opportunity is knocking at their door with the addition of eFootball in the FIFAe World Cup. This latest addition will be joining Rocket League and Football Manager to become a part of the FIFAe World Cup in the coming years.

Also Read: Games24x7 Planning To Establish Itself As a Technology Platform

FIFA and Konami Come Together to Add eFootball in FIFAe World Cup

After this addition, India will become one of the 18 countries that will take part in the competition. We will be joining Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. Talking about this opportunity, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said:

This collaboration between FIFA and Konami to bring eFootball into the FIFAe World Cup is a significant moment for Indian esports. India's inclusion in this global event is a source of immense national pride. The accessibility of a free-to-play game like eFootball ensures wider participation, and with FIFA fueling the esports ecosystem, we are witnessing the seamless integration of sports and esports—ushering in new opportunities for Indian gamers to shine on the world stage.

Ahead of the World Cup, Indian athletes will be seen showcasing their eFootball talent at the WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC). Interestingly, India has already been taking part in Esports tournaments that have been happening for the title. Talking about this addition, Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-Founder of S8UL and 8Bit Creatives said:

The recognition of India as a region in a global esports tournament like the FIFA eWorld Cup is monumental for Indian esports. This collaboration between KONAMI and FIFA opens up valuable avenues for both mobile and console gamers across the country to compete on the international stage. Additionally, with eFootball being included in the roster of tournaments like WAVES 2025 which is supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the title has great potential to bring further opportunities to aspiring Indian esports athletes.

Thug Invitational 2024 is almost here, with BGMI fans ready to set their eyes on their favorite team taking on various contenders from the tournament. Organized by Upthrust Esports, the Thug Invitational 2024 event is expected to be a blast for BGMI fans, and contestants.

Featuring Squads TPP in BGMI, the Invitational will showcase the prowess of 64 participating teams from 19 October to 27 October 2024. The Invitational will feature a massive prize pool of Rs. 8,00,000/ USD 9,517.

The winner of the tournament will walk away with Rs. 3,00,000/ USD 3,568.95, with the second, third, and fourth place holders taking Rs 2,00,000/ USD 2,379.30, Rs 1,50,000/ USD 1,784.47, and Rs. 75,000/ USD 892.24 respectively.

Also read: 8bit Esports Wins TEC Gauntlet Season 2- BGMI

Complete Format for Thug Invitational 2024 Explained

Joined by talented Indian esports teams, the Thug Invitational 2024 will follow a pretty basic format.

Stage 1: Group Stage

The first stage will feature 64 teams landing on the Group Stage to fight out for their position in the Semi-Finals. Only half of the teams will make it to the next stage.

Stage 2: Semi-Finals

The Invitational will start on October 19, 2024, with 32 teams, divided into four groups of 8 teams each. The top 16 teams will qualify for the Grand Finals, as the Semi-Finals stage concludes on October 24, 204.

Stage 2: Grand Finals

The third and final stage of the Invitational will feature the top 16 teams, following a 3-matchday format. Among the 16 remaining squads, only the top four will take on the prize pool. The grand final stage of the tournament will conclude on October 27, 2024.

For anyone becoming the MVP, the player will also receive an additional Rs. 25,000/ USD 297.41 from the prize pool.

Participating Teams

Group A

• Aerobotz
• Bot Army
• Celestics ESP
• Dragon Claw
• Esports Aim
• Inferno Squad
• Medal Esports
• Mogo Esports
• Nonx
• Team Rulers
• Silly Esports
• Team Avii
• Team Havk
• Team IQOO SOUL
• Team LOLZZZ
• Team VST

Group B

• Astro Kinds
• Blizz Network
• Tarkin Spartans
• FAITH ESPORTS
• Fatality Esports
• Gujrat Tigers
• K9
• LEFP
• Orangutan
• Phoenix Esports
• XSPARK
• Rivals Ape X
• Sarkar Gaming
• Team Bosan
• Team Tamilas
• Windgod Esports

Group C

• 2A
• Arrancar ESP
• Autobotz
• Carnival Gaming
• Carpedium
• Dream Team
• E4e
• FS Esports
• GENXFM
• JUSTJELLY
• Mastermind
• Myth
• Nebula Esports
• NUMEN
• Team Misfits
• Team Kanary

Group D

• 4 Merical Esports
• Aliaba Raiders
• ANTIDOTE
• G7 Esports
• GODS REIGN
• Hyderabad Hydras
• Karnadu
• Laztzone
• Reckoning
• Rich Esports
• Team 8BIT
• Team Obey
• Team Versatile
• Team 7Shore
• Team K4C
• Team Z

Map Order

Group A

• Match 1: Erangel
• Match 2: Miramar
• Match 3: Sanhok

Group B

• Match 4: Erangel
• Match 5: Miramar
• Match 6: Sanhok

Gamers can catch the Thug Invitational 2024 live on 8Bit Thug's official YouTube channel.

After two days of intense action in the finals of TEC Gauntlet Season 2 - BGMI, we have a clear winner. With 115 points, 8bit Esports has won a prize of Rs 4,00,000. Over the two days, the Juicy-led lineup secured 72 finishes and 43 placement points. Coming in second was Team Tamilas, who got 114 points. 

Also Read: GTA 5 Story DLC Was Cut To Make Room For GTA Online

TEC Gauntlet Season 2 - BGMI See Intense Action on Days 1 and 2

The two days were filled with action that had never been seen before as Team Tamilas topped the points table, and 8bit Esports closely followed. The day also saw a lot of battles in Sanhok and Miramar, and what eventually followed was a place for third and fourth place. Team Tamilas and 8bit Esports were the only teams to have crossed 100 points after day 2 of the finals and Carpe Diem was eventually placed third with 87 points. Here is what the points table looks like: 

Interestingly, 8bit Esports' IGL, Juicy, in a post-match interview also announced the name of their latest team addition. Aimbot was announced as the newest team member, and was also the missing piece for the team, as their IGL would say. 

SuperGaming has announced the 2025 esports roadmap for their upcoming game, Indus Battle Royale. The ‘Clutch India Movement’ roadmap will be a four month long tournament with a Rs 2,50,00,000 prize pool. The tournament will begin in October 2024 and will run till February 2025 with an open invite for all. 

The Indian teams will then meet surprise international teams and compete against each other in a LAN, which will take place in New Delhi

Also Read: SuperGaming To Launch Indus Battle Royale Game On October 16

Indus Esports Roadmap 2025 Announced by SuperGaming

Before this announcement, SuperGaming had successfully conducted 'Grudge Wars,’ ‘Indus Inferno,’ and ‘Indus Unchained,’ to test the waters with the popularity of the game, and the audience didn't disappoint. It is because of this that SuperGaming has decided to show its commitment to the game's audience. Talking about the game and the need to develop an Esports ecosystem for Indus, Roby John, CEO and Co-founder of SuperGaming said: 

When we set out to create Indus, our goal was to craft a game that Indian gamers could truly call their own. With the Indus International Tournament, we want to see new heroes rise from our community and take their place in the larger esports ecosystem. India’s esports landscape is rapidly evolving, and we believe the country is ready to compete on the world stage. Through this tournament, we’re excited to elevate India’s presence in esports and inspire a new generation of players to pursue gaming at a professional level.

 Indus International Tournament Format

The tournament will be divided into four phases, each testing the gamers and their talent. The first phase is the Homegrown phase, which has a prize pool of Rs 15 lakh. Registrations for this have already begun. Matches will take place from November 6 to December 3. 

The tournament will then move to Nationals, which has a prize pool of Rs 10 lakh. After this, the Powerplay will begin, with a prize pool of Rs 25 lakh. In the middle of all this, SuperGaming will also be hosting an International phase. This will take place from November 15 to December 30, 2024. 

The MVP of the Indus International Tournament will be given a customized Mahindra Thar.