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  • Esports World Cup 2024: Everything you Need to Know! 

    Esports World Cup 2024: Everything you Need to Know! 

    Esports has a plethora of global competitions, from the Overwatch World Cup to the Counter-Strike Majors. However, the recently announced Esports World Cup will bring an entirely new competitive format to the industry with teams competing across multiple genres and titles. 

    The tournament will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will take the place of the Gamers8 event that has been hosted in the city over the last 2 years. But will this have an effect on the Esports industry? And what are the major concerns surrounding the event?

    Here’s everything we know so far about the Esports World Cup 2024! 

    RELATED: Top Esports Titles Releasing This Year

    When will the tournament take place? 

    esports world cup 2024

    Unfortunately, all we know right now is the Esports World Cup will take place in “Summer 2024” and will run every year from now on. If you head to the website, it does say more information will be available at the end of 2023, so we’ll have to wait for more details from the tournament organisers around official dates. 

    As the event is taking the place of the Gamers8 tournament we can expect it to run at a similar time to that event. This would mean we could see the tournament running as early as the middle of July and ending at the start of September, giving us a 6-8 week window for teams to compete. 

    What Games are at the Esports World Cup?

    We know which Genres will be available at the Esports World Cup, these include: 

    • Racing
    • FPS (First Person Shooter)
    • RTS (Real Time Strategy)
    • TPS (Third Person Shooter)
    • MOBA (Massive Online Battle Arena)
    • Battle Royale
    • Fighting 
    • Sports

    All these categories cover the most popular games in the world right now. It’s unclear whether it will be a singular title for each genre, but it’s likely we will have a few for each. 

    For example, in the Battle Royale genre, we are likely to see Fortnite, PUBG and Apex. It would be difficult to choose a single title here as they are all as popular as one another in different regions. 

    Another example here is “Sports”. We will definitely see Fifa (EAFC) at the World Cup, but its unclear whether other games such as NBA2K or Madden will be included as they are typically more popular in the US. 

    Who is playing at the Esports World Cup?

    who is competing at the esports world cup 2024

    The Esports World Cup is taking a slightly less conventional route when it comes to a “World Cup” class competition. 

    Instead of Countries competing as whole nations in this World Cup, teams will compete to qualify, similar to other Esports competitions. It is also likely that we will see the biggest teams in the industry receive a direct invite as they will already have complete rosters for all these games. 

    We saw a similar situation at the Gamers8 tournament last year where some teams qualified through a separate tournament, and some teams such as Cloud9, ENCE, G2 and FaZe received a direct invite to the playoffs. 

    It will be interesting to see how the qualifiers/invitations are handled, but for now, we will have to wait for more information from the tournament organisers. 

    NEXT: Top Esports Events in 2024

  • Top Esports Titles Releasing This Year

    Top Esports Titles Releasing This Year

    Although Esports is blooming with titles from First-Person Shooters to Massive Online Battle Arenas, 2023 is a hopeful year with plenty of releases from full game updates to brand-new IP. Whether you’re looking for a new competitive medium or just a platform to have fun, there are plenty of releases happening in 2023.

    Here’s all you can expect from the top Esports titles released this year.

    RELATED: Is CS2 Better Than CSGO?

    The Finals

    top esports titles

    The Finals is an interesting title, drawing a lot of interest through the recent Open Beta. Unlike other Esports games, this game has a large focus on destruction similar to that of the original Battlefield games. This feature, paired with some amazing movement mechanics provides a unique experience for both experienced and new players.

    Unfortunately, the game isn’t officially out yet, but we can hope that the game will be released before the end of the year with some bug fixes and updates. It seems the developers are preparing for a massive push towards Esports with a tournament mode already built into the game.

    This will arguably be one of the biggest Esports titles to release in recent times, and this may change up the ecosystem and pull some pros from other games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty.

    Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

    Although the new Modern Warfare 3 seems a lot like its predecessor MW2, the developers have introduced some key gameplay updates to improve the game’s competitive nature. The biggest change here comes in the form of an increased time-to-kill putting a bigger focus on aiming rather than reaction time.

    The incredibly fast time-to-kill has been one of the biggest complaints for the last few COD titles. Many fans will be extremely happy to hear about this change and experience this new era of the franchise.

    This will also make a massive change to the Warzone Battle Royale mode where we will also receive a brand-new map to explore.

    Counter-Strike 2

    top esports titles releasing this year

    The release of Counter-Strike 2 has caused a lot of controversy within the community. For years, players wanted an update to CS:GO, however, now we have it there are a lot of changes that players are not enjoying.

    This mainly comes down to new technology with the sub-tick servers which aim to eliminate server lag. Unfortunately, this has had a somewhat opposite effect, and the promise of “what you see is what you get” has not worked as intended.

    If Valve can mitigate these issues and make the new tech work as intended, the game will begin to shine once again – and the new graphics will not be a side note on all the negativity the game is receiving.

    Fortnite OG

    Fortnite is back!

    With this update comes the original map, weapons, and meta of the game from the old days… well, around the middle of 2018. The return of this era of Fortnite brought over 5m concurrent players, smashing all the previous records set by the game back in 2018.

    However, it’s unclear whether this interest has any longevity and we’ll have to wait and see if players stick around in the long run.

    NEXT: Top Esports Events in 2024

     

  • Formula 1 | Hamilton’s Brazil GP Awakening – 12/1 Tip

    Formula 1 | Hamilton’s Brazil GP Awakening – 12/1 Tip

    Formula 1 arrives in São Paulo this weekend for the Brazil GP where an expectant crowd will welcome their adopted favourite, Lewis Hamilton.

    The seven-time World Champion was granted Brazilian citizenship last November.

    His affinity with legend Ayrton Senna and on-track heroics of his own has led to supporters taking him as one of their own.

    Following a strong second place finish in Mexico, Hamilton and Mercedes appear primed to build on their momentum.

    Let’s explore his prospects, along with a 12/1 tip and insight into the most likely challengers on Sunday.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Victory for adopted hero – 12/1

    Hamilton carries momentum into the Brazil GP weekend having recovered from two pointless outings to finish a fine runner-up in Mexico.

    Interlagos is a circuit he thrives on and where memories flood the mind, including his last triumph here in 2021, claiming victory from tenth on the grid during a tense title battle.

    Returning to the scene of their sole win of 2022, Mercedes will hope to provide their lead driver with a car worthy of challenging Max Verstappen.

    Related: Mercedes’ Battle Boils Over In Qatar GP Heat

    On race day, Brazil’s high altitude level promises to reduce the deficit of a high drag package, an area the Silver Arrows have frequently struggled in.

    Crucially, this may hinder the straight line speed advantage that Red Bull would otherwise hold on the steep climb approaching Turn 1. There is potential for this to be key in Hamilton’s battle with Perez in the standings.

    Furthermore, the middle sector of the Interlagos lap features several mid to low speed corners. This happens to be a particular strength of the Mercedes design.

    Hamilton can utilise this to close the gap heading onto the long, slingshot-like pit straight to attempt an overtake.

    Should the above materialise, there is potential for a repeat of 2021’s showdown for victory between Verstappen and Hamilton.

    Claim odds of 12/1 and a free bet with William Hill for Hamilton to win the Brazil GP. 

    Norris to crash carnival? – Evs

    McLaren’s Lando Norris will also look to continue his excellent form.

    Following a qualifying error in Mexico, the Brit battled from 19th on the grid, pulling off several remarkable overtakes to P5.

    The result provided a clear statement from Norris that he remains the team number one, following a recent upturn in form from rookie teammate Oscar Piastri.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Norris’ performance was yet another demonstration of McLaren’s competitiveness on every style of circuit.

    Like Mercedes, they too promise to reap the rewards of the lack of air density at Sao Paulo. This should bring top speeds closer together across the grid.

    On Saturday, expect Norris to rediscover his qualifying form, placing him in an optimum position to return to the podium on Sunday.

    Claim odds of evens and a free bet with William Hill for Norris to secure his seventh podium of the season at the Brazil GP. 

  • IEM Sydney 2023 Overview: How FaZe Became CS2 Champions

    IEM Sydney 2023 Overview: How FaZe Became CS2 Champions

    IEM Sydney saw FaZe crowned as the first champions of CS2 in 2023. Although this isn’t the first major, this is the first LAN event to host the new Counter-Strike update. Although the game still has some issues with hit-reg and “subtick servers” both Valve and ESL felt the game was ready to take to the big stage after its release during the Playoffs of the Season 18 Pro League. Some of these issues actually presented themselves during the Playoffs at Sydney with m0NESY losing out to a huge frag in the latter stages of a match.

    But why is IEM Sydney so significant in the Counter-Strike space? Here’s everything you need to know about IEM Sydney, and how FaZe won it all in a huge 2-1 victory over Complexity…

    Read more: Counter-Strike 2: Premier Rank System Explained

    What is IEM Sydney?

    IEM Sydney 2023

    ESL Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 (or IEM Sydney) is one of the most iconic events on the Counter-Strike Calendar. Unfortunately, the event did not run in 2021 or 2022 due to unforeseen circumstances. However, 2023 saw the return to the land down under with the iconic Aussie crowd with incredible chants and booming volume throughout.

    The event reached a peak viewership of 460,000 which surpasses the previous IEM Sydney record in 2018, making this year’s event the most popular Oceania event to date.

    IEM features 16 teams. Some of these teams are invited and some must qualify through a regional tournament. Apeks and BetBoom qualified from Europe, Complexity through NA, Lynn Vision through Asia, and VERTEX through OCE. Grayhound Gaming was also invited to the tournament as the “Local Hero”.

    Group Stage

    This stage of the tournament consisted of two groups. The first saw MOUZ and BetBoom qualify through the Upper Bracket and FaZe through the Lower Bracket. In the second group, G2 and ENCE qualified through the Upper and Complexity through the Lower.

    All of these teams faced some of the highest-ranked rosters on the ESL World Ranking, showing their competitive prowess before reaching the Playoffs. Unfortunately, some fan favorites such as NAVI, Vitality, Fnatic, and Cloud9 didn’t reach the Playoffs and were sent packing before expected.

    This made for a tense start to the Playoffs stage with some top teams facing underdogs.

    Playoffs

    The teams that won the Upper Bracket made it straight to the Semifinals, making it easier to reach the finals. Whereas the other teams had to compete in the Quarterfinals. This is where FaZe started to shine. In their first match, FaZe dominated ENCE with a 2-0 win with one match going 13-0 to FaZe. This was an unprecedented start to their Playoff run.

    In the Semifinals, FaZe came up against MOUZ, the most recent winner of the ESL Pro League. Although this posed a challenge for FaZe, they again won 2-0 and dominated the recent champions 13-4 on Nuke. This put them straight into the Finals against Complexity.

    IEM Sydney 2023 Finals

    FaZe IEM Sydney

    Complexity had an almost identical run to FaZe at IEM Sydney, with both teams qualifying through the Lower Bracket and winning both the Quarter and Semifinal 2-0. Going into the Final FaZe was definitely the favourite but Complexity showed their competitive prowess taking the first map 13-11.

    However, FaZe took the second map 13-10 on Nuke leading to a third and final match on Ancient. FaZe started strong, seemingly dominating Complexity and taking the first half easily. Complexity fought hard taking the match to double OT but unfortunately lost 19-16 to FaZe.

    We can’t wait for the next tournament, with the first CS2 Major taking place next year in March 2024.

    Next: CS2: Top 5 Pros in Counter-Strike 2

  • Formula 1 | Mexican Grand Prix Tip for Home Hero Perez

    Formula 1 | Mexican Grand Prix Tip for Home Hero Perez

    The Formula 1 paddock heads for the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend with little time to digest Sunday’s thrilling race at COTA.

    Sergio Perez heads into his home race needing a positive result amid retirement rumours and quashed reported finishing position ultimatums.

    Perez struggled to make progress in Austin last time out, finishing a distant P5 while teammate Verstappen was once again victorious against the odds.

    The Guadalajara native arrives to a hero’s welcome this weekend, but the Red Bull driver will be under pressure to deliver from an expectant home crowd.

    Mexico should also see the continued resurgence of McLaren, and we are eyeing a strong 8/13 tip for the race.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Home heroics

    Six-time race winner Perez is in search of a first podium in four races entering Mexican Grand Prix weekend.

    This weekend presents an ideal opportunity to rediscover his previous form on a circuit where he has twice finished in the top three.

    A track that traditionally suits the Red Bull package – having won four of the last five races – Perez has the tools to repeat his past successes on Sunday.

    Related: Singapore Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Expect the Mexican to benefit from Red Bull’s efficient DRS system on Mexico’s 1.2km pit straight.

    This should aid overtaking manoeuvres and increase the potential to progress through the race, should Perez struggle in qualifying.

    Considering these factors, Perez to finish on the podium has a good chance of landing, with William Hill offering odds of 8/13.

    Rival resurgence

    Embed from Getty Images

    Away from Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes showed promising pace throughout the U.S Grand Prix once more.

    Lewis Hamilton pushed Verstappen closely to finish second while Charles Leclerc snagged pole, before struggling on a one-stop strategy come race day.

    Controversially, both drivers would be disqualified post race for failing to adhere to the FIA’s floor wear regulations.

    Hamilton will be especially keen to bounce back immediately from this setback, now sitting 39 points behind Perez in their fight for runner-up in the Driver’s Championship.

    Although the seven-time champion has struggled to find success in Mexico, Mercedes appear to have discovered a turn of pace with their latest upgrades.

    Expect both Hamilton and teammate George Russell to fight for podium positions.

    William Hill have a 4/6 shot for Hamilton to finish in the top three.

    McLaren’s mixed fortunes

    Embed from Getty Images

    An in-form Lando Norris continued his scintillating run of results with P3 and another podium last weekend.

    Unfortunately for the team, rookie Oscar Piastri retired following damage suffered in a Lap 1 collision.

    A fourth consecutive podium for Norris at a track not especially suited to the McLaren highlights the team’s progress this season.

    Furthermore, Norris appeared to have a pace advantage over Piastri throughout the weekend. This comes after momentum seemed to be swinging towards the Australian rookie in recent races.

    Mexico’s fast, sweeping corners promise to suit the McLaren car. They were particularly strong at similar circuits such as Silverstone and Suzuka.

    With Norris in the best form of his young career and Piastri looking to return to the podium, motivation will be high to achieve a positive result.

    Norris especially will be determined to finally go one better and claim victory, with odds of 20/1 available with William Hill.

     

    Click here to claim a free bet to use on this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

     

    Read Next: Mercedes’ Battle Boils Over in Qatar GP Heat

  • Formula 1 | 8/1 McLaren COTA tip ahead of triple-header

    Formula 1 | 8/1 McLaren COTA tip ahead of triple-header

    The Formula 1 circus rolls into Austin this week for the United States Grand Prix Sprint weekend.

    As the dust settles on a hectic, humid race last time out in Qatar, McLaren arrive as the paddock’s form team.

    The Woking outfit capitalised on a turn 1 clash between Mercedes’ teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to claim a double podium in Lusail.

    The team also showcased their current high operating levels by breaking the record for the sport’s fastest ever pit stop at 1.80 seconds.

    Let’s explore McLaren’s chances this weekend, including an 8/1 tip and other areas of value across the grid.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Papaya pace

    McLaren’s resurgence of late has received praise from key figures on the F1 grid following the Qatar GP.

    Chief among those to applaud the British manufacturer was newly-crowned three-time champion Max Verstappen.

    The Dutchman pointed to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the sport’s strongest driver line-up.

    This came following their second consecutive double podium and Piastri’s first taste of F1 success with a pole and victory in Saturday’s sprint.

    Furthermore, McLaren’s pace relative to Verstappen’s Red Bull caught the eye in Qatar. Piastri finished just 4.8 seconds behind the reigning champion, with Norris close behind him.

    The reduced gap solidifies the team as the Red Bull’s closest challengers, which bodes well for the remaining five races.

    Should Verstappen falter out in the lead, expect McLaren to capitalise.

    COTA’s fast sweeping corners – a strong suit for the team – suggest another strong weekend await their drivers.

    A win for Norris can be found with William Hill at odds of 11/1, with Piastri priced slightly higher at 14/1.

    Piastri’s purple patch

    F1 rookie Piastri has built on his stellar junior record to deliver on the biggest stage this season.

    The Australian began steadily enough, but has recently found his feet. A Sprint race victory and second place in Qatar followed a first podium in Japan.

    Related: Tensions Rise At Japanese Grand Prix For Mercedes

    His performance last time out means Norris has once again been beaten to success by an Aussie teammate after Daniel Ricciardo’s victory in 2021.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Piastri is beginning to out-qualify Norris consistently. This proved a key factor in benefitting from McLaren’s team orders call and securing second place in Qatar.

    He now sits just 26 points away from becoming F1’s highest ever points-scoring rookie.

    Piatri’s pace shows no signs of slowing. He is priced at 8/1 with William Hill to claim a maiden victory before the end of the season.

    Teams targeting COTA comeback

    Two teams inparticular will be aiming to bounce back in COTA following a gruelling battle with extreme heat in Qatar.

    Mercedes will hope to put the weekend behind them following their driver’s opening lap clash.

    The eight-time champions will introduce a floor upgrade in Texas as they target second place ahead of Ferrari.

    They will hope to replicate their result at this race last season, where Hamilton narrowly missed out on victory to Verstappen.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Further down the grid, AlphaTauri are also set to bring upgrades to the Lone Star State ahead of Daniel Ricciardo’s return from injury.

    This arrives following another poor result for Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

    Rumours have been circulating across the paddock about the Mexican’s potential retirement, with an announcement possible at the Mexican Grand Prix.

    With that in mind, Ricciardo’s return promises to pile pressure on Perez as he looks for a first podium in three races.

     

    Click here for odds of 10/3 and a free bet with William Hill for Lewis Hamilton to finish runner up in the Driver’s Championship.

  • Top Esports Events in 2024

    Top Esports Events in 2024

    We’re closing out the year 2023 with a bang in a return to Sydney in the ESL Intel Extreme Masters 2023 where the top teams in CS2 will battle it out. This is the first time CS2 is played on the global stage and so far the fans are loving it!

    But what does 2024 have in store for Esports? Here’s all you need to know…

    READ MORE: MOUZ Wins ESL Pro League Season 18

    Top Esports events in 2024

    counter-strike 2 first major

    Although the industry has seen some decline over the last few years post-lockdown, 2024 is a beacon of hope for the industry as many titles are looking to get back to the glory days.

    In March the first CS2 Major will take place at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024. Although this won’t be the first LAN event for CS2, this will be the first Major.

    For League of Legends, we have the LEC Finals hosted in Munich. This is set to take place towards the end of August/beginning of September.

    The Six Invitational will be one of the first majors to take place in 2024 with its launch in February.

    Valve has also stated they are already working on the next Pro Circuit International for 2024. Dota has one of the largest prize pools for any game at the moment, so we can’t wait for this one!

    Other gaming events

    Here’s a list of other gaming events taking place in 2024:

    • New York Game Awards 2024
    • Taipei Game Show 2024
    • Hamburg Games Conference 2024
    • SXSW 2024
    • BIG Festival 2024
    • Gamescom 2024
    • PAX West 2024
    • New Zealand Games Developers Conference 2024

    As you can see, there’s a lot to be excited about in 2024, no matter where you are in the world.

    Although these may not directly be Esports events, they will feature some matches, specifically at Gamescom and SXSW.

    Ending 2023

    MOUZ ESPORTS

    Although we still have 2 months left in 2023, there are few events left as we move into the Holiday season.

    As mentioned previously, IEM Sydney is currently taking place with the top teams in Counter-Strike. However, this isn’t the final Counter-Strike tournament with the BLAST Premier World Final taking place in December.

    Mobile Legends is a huge game in Asia and SEA. If you’re situated in Europe or NA you may not have heard of this game. However, the MLBB Pro League Invitational is scheduled for November with some of the best players from across the globe competing for the title.

    We also have ESI London this weekend with all the biggest names showcasing their latest products and software. Although this isn’t an opportunity for players to compete, it’s a place for industry specialists to connect and develop new opportunities heading into the new year.

    In 2023 we saw some awesome events such as Gamers8. This really opens up new opportunities within the industry with investment from Saudi Arabia helping to push the industry into mainstream media with massive prize pools and production.

    With lots to look forward to, what event are you most excited about in 2024? Let us know on Twitter (X) at BestofBetsUK!

    Next: Is CS2 Better Than CSGO?

  • Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    The Qatar Grand Prix was plagued by extreme humidity, but it was the Mercedes camp that reached boiling point on Sunday.

    Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided at the races’ first corner, an accident many felt inevitable.

    Several flashpoints have occurred in recent races between the pair as they battle to secure intra-team supremacy.

    Let’s explore the incident and the impact it may have on Hamilton’s fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Teammate turmoil

    The potential for fireworks at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix was high with the Mercedes’ pair lining up second and third on the grid.

    However, the team appeared to ignite the situation further by opting to start Hamilton on the faster, soft tyres.

    The decision enabled the seven time champion to pull alongside his younger teammate off the line.

    Such was his speed, Hamilton found himself challenging for the lead into Turn 1.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Unfortunately, not for the first time this weekend, three into one did to go.

    Russell clipped his teammates’ rear wheel as he struggled for space between the Mercedes and Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

    The collision ripped the rear-right tyre from Hamilton’s car, resulting in a race-ending trip to the gravel.

    Radio exchanges that followed were heated as each driver clearly felt the other was to blame.

    Having reflected on this, Hamilton later apologised and took full responsibility for the clash that saw Mercedes fail to capitalise on a huge double podium opportunity.

    The blame game

    Despite Hamilton accepting blame for the Lap 1 incident, many thought Mercedes could have deployed team tactics to avoid a crash.

    By starting one car on softer rubber, it was key to ensure that driver made use of the pace advantage before the tyre life expired.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Therefore, had Mercedes requested that Russell did not fight Hamilton off the line, it would likely have benefitted both of their races.

    Related: Hamilton Keen To Continue Season Momentum

    Russell revealed in his post-race interview that this had been discussed before lights out.

    Team principal Toto Wolff has long operated a ‘let them race’ policy among his drivers.

    However, had Hamilton been allowed past Russell and challenged Verstappen for the lead, the Qatar Grand Prix story may have ended quite differently for Mercedes.

    Texas tension

    Both Hamilton and Russell settled their initial radio comments with a post-race handshake.

    There appears to be a level of respect between the British pair. However, the incident will likely be at the forefront of each driver’s mind if they are to do battle when F1 heads to Austin, Texas.

    Hamilton has history of teammate controversy at the circuit. The team will hope there is no repeat of his turn one clash with Nico Rosberg in 2016.

    Embed from Getty Images

    From a points perspective, no major ground was lost this weekend in either drivers’ or constructors’ standings.

    Mercedes maintained second place ahead of Ferrari, meanwhile, Hamilton lost bare minimal points to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in his fight for second.

    As a result, Hamilton leaves Qatar still with a good chance of finishing runner up – an 11/2 bet picked out last week.

    As both Mercedes’ drivers search for a first win in 2023, the potential for further drama promises to continue.

     

    Click here to use a free bet for the United States Grand Prix 

    Claim odds of 11/2 with William Hill for Lewis Hamilton to finish second in the Drivers’ Championship. 

  • Is CS2 Better Than CSGO?

    Is CS2 Better Than CSGO?

    With the release of Counter-Strike 2, the community seems divided on the new gameplay changes and updates. CS2 and CS:GO are essentially “the same game” with CS2 being an update, rather than a new release. For this reason, many players are arguing that CS2 is a direct upgrade to its predecessor. However, there are some changes that even the pros find frustrating leaving everyone wondering whether CS2 is better than CS:GO.

    We had the same problem in the past when CS:GO was released and the community did not like the changes. Perhaps it will just take time for everyone to get used to these changes and adapt their playstyle for this next-gen overhaul.

    So… is CS2 better than CS:GO? Here’s everything you need to know!

    Related: CSGO ESL Pro League: Season 18 Playoffs Overview

    Gameplay Updates

    Is CS2 better than CS:GO?

    CS2 features a range of changes from visual and lighting upgrades to complete utility reworks. In the eyes of the developer, these changes will be improvements, but it will take time for the community to appreciate these updates. Here are some of the most notable updates:

    • Volumetric Smoke Grenades
    • Molotov Lighting and Spread Distance
    • Recoil and Spray Control (Shot Deviation)
    • No Skybox Limitations

    There are some other small changes to gameplay, however, these are the notable ones that will make a big difference to day-to-day gameplay. Valve has also made changes to the tech behind Counter-Strike with sub-tick servers being the talk of the town.

    CS2 Sub-Tick Servers

    To fully understand sub-tick, you need a basic understanding of how Counter-Strike servers function. In CS:GO the servers were on “64 tick”. Essentially, this means the servers update 64 times every second. Although this is fast, it does leave some gaps where players feel like their bullets aren’t registered.

    Faceit helped to mitigate this for top-end players with 126 tick servers, doubling how many times the server updated a second. CS2 is attempting to overhaul this system with Valve’s new sub-tick server tech.

    These servers will recognise when players make an input and record the exact time that input was made. This, in theory, should create a much more reliable game and mitigate any issues with desync or hit registration. Unfortunately, some players are noticing some major issues with hit-reg with this new tech.

    There are a few reasons this is happening. Although the game records exactly when an input happens, it still waits until the next server tick to play an animation. This creates a perception of hit reg issues, but it is in fact animation lag. In CS2’s most recent update, Valve has fixed issues with players’ models and hitboxes making the game feel much better and improving the major complaints from across the community.

    What’s Next?

    Valve still has a lot of work to do to bring CS2 up to a competitive standard. Although this may be the case, the upgrade to the new Source engine will allow for further developments to the game and more content for players to enjoy, from maps to cosmetics.

    Whether the game is “better” than CS:GO is still up for debate and really comes down to personal opinion. However, given time, Counter-Strike 2 can put Valve back on top of the FPS genre.

    Next: MOUZ Wins ESL Pro League Season 18

  • Formula 1 | 11/2 Hamilton Tip for Qatar Grand Prix

    Formula 1 | 11/2 Hamilton Tip for Qatar Grand Prix

    The Qatar Grand Prix is likely to see Max Verstappen clinch his third Formula 1 title encompassing Saturday’s sprint race, a format he previously criticised.

    However, many fans have already turned their attention to the chasing pack.

    Lewis Hamilton faces a battle to beat Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to second in the Driver’s Championship.

    Meanwhile, The Silver Arrows are also locked in a fierce battle with former title rivals Ferrari in their battle for Constructor’s runner-up.

    Read on to explore why a 11/2 tip has caught the eye in Qatar.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Hamilton hunts Perez

    Hamilton arrives in Lusail having closed to within 33 points of Perez.

    He returns to the scene of his last F1 victory in 2021, an event that he dominated in both qualifying and on race day.

    The seven-time champion insists finishing runner up to Verstappen is not important to him.

    However, given Mercedes’ inconsistent pace, the achievement will likely provide some personal satisfaction as well as hope ahead of 2024.

    Related: Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    The smooth track surface in Qatar promises to suit Mercedes’ car, which has, once again, suffered from porpoising at certain points.

    Saturday’s sprint race also provides an additional opportunity to close the gap on Perez, whose poor form continued with retirement in Japan.

    Based on this evidence, Hamilton stands a good chance of reducing the points deficit this weekend. 

    Old rivals reunited

    Elsewhere, Hamilton’s Mercedes team face stern competition for second in the Constructor’s Championship from former title rivals.

    The incentive to finish as runner-up to Red Bull promises to benefit Hamilton in his own pursuit of Perez.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Ferrari have gained recent ground with two podium finishes in three races, including a victory in Singapore.

    As a result, Mercedes will be highly motivated to recover this deficit at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend.

    Expect Hamilton to lead the team once again and deliver crucial points in both standings.

    Hamilton 11/2 to finish runner-up

    Backing Hamilton to finish second to Verstappen in the championship represents good value ahead of the Qatar race weekend.

    Perez appeared to be finding form following a podium in Monza.

    However, the Mexican may be low on confidence after his last two races.

    Red Bull are not expected to bring any more major performance upgrades after clinching the constructor’s crown in Japan, leaving Perez to rely on his own performance.

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    In contrast, Hamilton heads into the final six races with a highly motivated team.

    The remaining rounds of season suggest favourable circuits for Mercedes.

    A trip to Brazil in November carries decent hopes after their sole win of 2022, whilst a first venture to Las Vegas promises an unpredictable contest for all teams.

    With a performance upgrade rumoured to be introduced in Texas, Hamilton has the tools available to overhaul his rivals.

    Despite Verstappen cruising towards his third consecutive title, the battle behind could go right down to the wire. 

     

    Lewis Hamilton is 11/2 with William Hill to finish second in the standings.

    Click here to use a free bet on this tip and the weekend’s action in Qatar.