Team Vitality has officially expanded its shooter division ahead of the 2026 Esports World Cup, confirming new competitive rosters in PUBG (PC), Call of Duty: Warzone and CrossFire.

Announced from Paris on 11 February 2026, the move sees the French organisation return to PUBG (PC) and Warzone after previous runs in both titles, while entering CrossFire for the first time. It follows a strong 2025 season that included Counter-Strike and VALORANT victories, plus a Top 3 finish in the overall club standings at last year’s Esports World Cup.

A Strategic Push Ahead Of The 2026 Esports World Cup

Team Vitality’s expansion into three additional shooter titles is directly tied to its ambitions for the 2026 Esports World Cup this summer.

With club standings determined by performance across multiple games, fielding teams in PUBG (PC), Warzone and CrossFire gives Vitality more opportunities to accumulate points where every win counts. The organisation has framed this as the beginning of a new shooter era, building on its established dominance in Counter-Strike and its continued presence in VALORANT.

Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality, said the club is determined to build on its Top 3 overall finish in 2025 by investing in star-powered rosters across the new titles. Corporate Director of Global Operations Danny Engels added that the goal is to strengthen Vitality’s positioning for EWC and establish a broader dynasty across the FPS genre.

Call Of Duty: Warzone Roster And Road To EWC

Angel “Sage” Quinones, who secured third place at last year’s EWC, leads the roster. He is joined by Rasim “Blazt” Ogresevic and Logan “Skullface” Greifelt, both American players with strong competitive histories. The team is supported by coach Ethan “Ebatez” Bates.

The squad’s immediate focus is the Warzone Resurgence Series, which will determine qualification pathways to the 2026 Esports World Cup. The circuit culminates in two LAN finals at DreamHack Birmingham and DreamHack Atlanta, where top trios will lock in their EWC spots.

By returning with experienced players rather than rebuilding from scratch, Vitality is signalling that this is about immediate impact rather than a long-term development project.

PUBG (PC) Roster Marks Return To The Scene

The core of the lineup features players who competed under the Nemiga banner and secured sixth place at the PUBG Global Championship. The roster includes Aliaksandr “Gedrox” Puchko, Vladislav “Lev4nte” Tasenko and Artem “hallomybad” Baskakov.

Completing the squad are Andrey “Qw1zzy” Pobedinskiy and coach Ramazan “H1RUZEN” Valiullin, both arriving from Geekay. Sergei “MrTok” Britok joins as manager.

This return also creates crossover potential with Bigetron by Vitality, the organisation’s established powerhouse in the Southeast Asian PUBG Mobile ecosystem. With major LAN circuits increasingly featuring both PC and Mobile PUBG, the dual presence could help unify Vitality’s global fanbase across both platforms.

CrossFire Entry And Full Roster Details

CrossFire marks a completely new chapter for Team Vitality.

Ready to take on all FPS games at EWC.
Welcome to the Hive CrossFire 🐝

Horus
SNARE
slayer
Snake
tottziN pic.twitter.com/3k9ZivtoAP

— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) February 11, 2026

The organisation has acquired ROC Esports’ previous CrossFire team, which is based in Egypt and operates from a dedicated gaming house. The starting roster features Youssef “tottziN” Nasser, Ahmed “SNARE” Salah, Mohamed “Snake” Ahmed, Mohamed “Horus” Mahrous and Abdelrahman “slayer” Fawzy.

Andrei “strey” Solovev joins as coach, with Kislay “Drolo” Satyaj as General Manager. Two substitutes, Ammar “Apps” Ahmed and Abdelrhman “Bone” Mahmoud, have also been added to strengthen depth.

The team will compete in the CrossFire West League in EMEA across two key splits in March and April, followed by June and July. Combined results are expected to serve as a gateway to the 2026 Esports World Cup.

Beyond EWC qualification, the squad is targeting a run through Regional Finals to secure a place at the CrossFire Stars World Championship in China, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the CrossFire ecosystem. Vitality is positioning this roster as a potential Western dark horse capable of challenging the long-established Chinese powerhouses.

Momentum From 2025 Sets The Tone

Team Vitality’s 2025 campaign laid the groundwork for this expansion. Victories in Counter-Strike and VALORANT reinforced the organisation’s status as one of the strongest FPS brands in esports, while a Top 3 finish in the Esports World Cup club standings highlighted its ability to compete across multiple titles.

By adding PUBG (PC), Warzone and CrossFire to its portfolio, Vitality is broadening its competitive surface area rather than relying on a single flagship game. For fans, that means more tournaments, more storylines and more chances to see the black and yellow banner on major international stages.

With qualification circuits already underway and league splits approaching, the next few months will quickly reveal whether this expanded shooter division can convert ambition into silverware on the road to EWC 2026.

The post Team Vitality Expands Shooter Division For EWC 2026 With PUBG, Warzone And CrossFire appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games has unleashed a brand-new cinematic trailer for its upcoming tag-team fighter 2XKO, and it’s already turning heads across the fighting game and League of Legends communities. Titled Ties That Bind, the four-minute trailer pairs stunning animation with powerhouse vocals from Courtney LaPlante, the lead singer of Canadian metal band Spiritbox.

The cinematic showcases a series of high-octane fights featuring some of the game’s most recognisable champions, including Ekko, Ahri, and Yasuo. LaPlante’s track sets the tone perfectly as the cinematic unfolds, intense, emotional, and full of Riot’s signature flair for storytelling through music. Fans can stream Ties That Bind now across major platforms like Spotify.

Warwick Joins the Roster

The trailer also confirmed something fans have been speculating for weeks: Warwick, the monstrous experiment from Zaun, is officially joining 2XKO’s roster. In the cinematic, Warwick teams up with Yasuo to take on Ekko and Ahri in a fast-paced 2v2 battle, giving players a first taste of his fighting style and synergy.

The reveal didn’t come as a total surprise, though. Just a few days earlier, Riot accidentally leaked Warwick’s addition to the roster through its Brazilian 2XKO account, a slip that had already sent the community buzzing. We covered that story in detail in our earlier piece, Riot Games Accidentally Leaks Warwick as 2XKO’s Next Playable Character, which hinted this announcement was right around the corner.

By the end of the cinematic, sharp-eyed viewers also spotted cameos from Blitzcrank and Illaoi, suggesting more champion reveals might be on the way.

From Project L to 2XKO

Originally unveiled as Project L, 2XKO is Riot Games’ first full leap into the fighting game genre. It reimagines iconic League of Legends and Arcane characters for the 2v2 arena, allowing players to either control both fighters solo or team up for true duo play. The game promises fast-paced, combo-heavy action with accessible controls, something both hardcore FGC veterans and casual League fans can enjoy.

With the game’s closed beta wrapping up on October 7, 2025, Riot has confirmed that 2XKO will enter Early Access the same day on PC. The launch will include a full season of content such as combo trials, a ranked ladder system, and battle passes.

For console players, Riot also revealed that 2XKO will be coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, complete with cross-platform progression so players can keep their progress across systems.

Building the Competitive Scene

Riot isn’t stopping at launch content either. Through its First Impact initiative, the company plans to sponsor 22 community-led tournaments around the world, including appearances at major gaming events like DreamHack. It’s clear that Riot wants 2XKO to hit the ground running as a serious esports title from day one.

Arcane-Inspired Starter Pack

Adding to the hype, Riot recently announced the Ultra Starter Pack, featuring new Arcane-inspired skins for Vi, Ekko, and Jinx. These skins will launch alongside Early Access and are set to celebrate 2XKO’s connection to the wider League of Legends universe.

With a cinematic as visually stunning as Ties That Bind and a soundtrack that’s pure adrenaline thanks to Courtney LaPlante, Riot Games is setting the stage for 2XKO to be one of the biggest fighting game launches of the year.

The post Riot Games Drops Explosive 2XKO Cinematic Featuring Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante and Warwick Reveal appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

DreamHack has locked in a major partnership for its upcoming Stockholm event, teaming up with Nintendo for the November festival.

Running from 28 to 30 November 2025, DreamHack Stockholm promises a huge weekend of esports and gaming, and Nintendo’s presence is set to be one of the big highlights. Fans heading to the festival can look forward to a dedicated Nintendo booth inside the expo area, giving them the chance to try out the company’s latest releases.

This isn’t Nintendo’s first trip to Sweden’s biggest gaming and esports festival. The company was part of DreamHack in 2024, but this year’s partnership cements an even stronger connection between the two brands.

At this stage, it hasn’t been confirmed if any Nintendo titles will get their own esports tournaments in Stockholm. However, DreamHack Atlanta 2025 is already hosting a one-versus-one Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competition with a $3,000 prize pool, so fans will be watching closely to see if Stockholm gets something similar.

Andreas Jernberg, Managing Director of Nordics at ESL FACEIT Group, said having Nintendo on board shows the strength of the event.
“Having such an iconic brand as Nintendo at DreamHack underlines the strength of our festival and the unique experiences we create for our community. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of fans to Stockholm for a weekend full of gaming, entertainment, and unforgettable moments.”

Nintendo’s presence will sit alongside some of the festival’s biggest competitive events. The OWCS World Finals 2025 are set to crown a world champion in Stockholm, while Embark Studios’ The Finals will host its first ever Major. Sixteen teams will battle it out for a slice of the $100,000 prize pool.

Nintendo has also been making more moves in the esports scene this year, including a recent partnership with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance in the US to bring competitive gaming opportunities to more students.

DreamHack Stockholm 2025 is shaping up to be one of the standout events on the esports calendar, and Nintendo’s booth will no doubt be a major drawcard for festival-goers.

The post Nintendo Joins DreamHack Stockholm 2025 with Dedicated Booth appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

DreamHack is giving Counter-Strike 2 players a golden chance, qualify straight into ESL Pro League Season 23 and face the world’s best. The newly launched DreamHack Knockout is running at both DreamHack Atlanta and Stockholm later this year, with tickets already on sale.

Want to qualify DIRECTLY to #ESLProLeague Season 23 and play against the best CS2 teams on the planet? 🌏@DreamHack Knockout is your chance! 👊

📍 Compete at #DreamHack Stockholm & Atlanta
💰 $10,000 on the line
🏆 1 #ESLProLeague S23 spot
🎟️ Tickets available NOW pic.twitter.com/rCJJl2N2wE

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) August 18, 2025

What’s on the line?

Aside from bragging rights, each Knockout tournament comes with a $10,000 prize pool and, more importantly, one ESL Pro League spot. For most aspiring pros, that’s the real reward, a direct ticket to one of Counter-Strike’s biggest stages.

Two cities, two very different brackets

• DreamHack Atlanta: October 31 – November 2, capped at 32 teams.
• DreamHack Stockholm: November 28 – 30, with space for a massive 128 teams.

Both tournaments follow the same format, but Stockholm’s bigger size reflects Europe’s heavier Counter-Strike scene compared to North America.

Here’s how you can join

If you’re keen to compete, the process is pretty straightforward:

Grab your ticket — You’ll need a BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) ticket for entry into DreamHack, plus a Knockout Team Ticket. Stockholm offers three options:

• Team Ticket (5 players)
• Team Ticket (6 players) – includes space for a coach with internet and power
• Coach Add-on Ticket – for teams that already have a 5-player pass

Form your squad — Make sure your roster is locked in. Stockholm even has a six-player ticket option so a coach can sit with the team.

Get your gear ready — It’s a BYOC tournament, which means you’ll be hauling your PC, peripherals, and everything else to the venue. (Atlanta players can look into Fragadelphia’s PC rental option if you’d rather not travel with your rig.)

Show up and play — Once you’re there, it’s all about skill. Beat the competition, and you’re on the fast track to ESL Pro League.

The cost of the dream

Competing isn’t exactly cheap.

• In Atlanta, a 5-player team ticket costs $845 USD, with a coach add-on for another $69.
• In Stockholm, the 5-player ticket runs at 5,495 SEK (about £425 GBP), with coach options available.

Add in flights, accommodation, food, and the joy of hauling your PC across borders, and the path to ESL Pro League isn’t as simple as showing up.

Levelling the playing field?

When DreamHack Knockout was announced earlier this year, Shahin Zarrabi, VP of Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, said:

“This is what DreamHack is all about, we’re levelling the playing field. Nothing matters except bringing your computer, showing your skill, and rising to fame.”

It’s a fair point, LAN experience is a massive part of Counter-Strike’s DNA. But for many grassroots teams, the barrier is less about skill and more about the wallet.

Still, DreamHack Knockout gives players something they rarely get: a genuine shot at Pro League qualification without relying on online brackets or regional invites. For hungry CS2 teams willing to take the leap, this could be their launchpad.

The post DreamHack Knockout Offers Direct Route to ESL Pro League Season 23 – Here’s How You Can Join appeared first on Shane the Gamer.