Sony has announced PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for September 2024. As usual, this month’s lineup also included three titles, namely, Quidditch Champions, MLB The Show 24, and Little Nightmares II.
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for September 2024
According to the official blogpost, all three games will be available to claim for free starting September 3, and Harry Porter:Quidditch Champions is making its debut with the PS Plus lineup.
Harry Porter: Quidditch Champions (PS4, PS5)
Quidditch Champions was announced during Summer Game Fest earlier this year. The game is focused on the magical sport of Quidditch from the Harry Potter universe. Players can engage in fast-paced matches, customize their characters, and compete in various Quidditch positions like Seeker, Beater, Chaser, and Keeper. The game is expected to offer both solo and team-based gameplay, appealing to fans of both the sport and the Harry Potter series.
MLB The Show 24 (PS4, PS5)
MLB The Show 24 is the latest instalment in the popular baseball video game series developed by San Diego Studio. It offers a realistic and immersive baseball experience, featuring updated rosters, improved gameplay mechanics, and enhanced graphics. Players can enjoy various game modes, including Road to the Show, Diamond Dynasty, and Franchise Mode.
Little Nightmares II (PS4, PS5)
Little Nightmares II is a suspenseful puzzle-platformer game that follows the story of Mono, a young boy trapped in a distorted world. Along with his companion, Six, from the first Little Nightmares game, Mono must navigate through eerie environments filled with dangerous enemies and unsettling creatures.
PlayStation Plus members have only a few days left to download August’s monthly games lineup: LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, FNAF Security Breach, and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. The deadline is September 2nd.
The All-India Game Developers’ Forum (AIGDF), in partnership with the Indian Governance and Policy Project (IGAP), has published a white paper titled “India’s Gaming Industry: Time For Age & Content Ratings?”. This comprehensive report underlines the critical need for a structured age and content rating system specially tailored to India’s fast-developing gaming industry’s unique cultural and constitutional landscape.
India’s Booming Gaming Industry Needs Age Rating System, Report Says
With an estimated 425 million players, India has seen an unparalleled increase in gaming content consumption. However, unlike other digital content industries, such as OTT platforms, India lacks a consistent age-rating game framework. This regulatory vacuum has resulted in the unregulated exposure of inappropriate material to younger audiences, raising worries about the possible dangers of an unregulated web, particularly for children.
The report discusses how global age-rating systems, such as the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in North America and the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system, might give useful insights for developing a domestic model customized to Indian sensibilities. Despite the fact that some publishers have adopted foreign-origin rating systems, the paper contends that a domestic rating framework, based on locally recognized vocabulary and criteria, would be more effective.
The AIGDF report also emphasizes the need for regulated and responsible industrial procedures to ensure children’s safety and mental well-being. The gaming ecosystem provides several advantages, including increased creativity, problem-solving ability, and cognitive abilities. However, without a controlled environment, these advantages may be outweighed by the hazards of improper material.
The paper concludes with a call to action for stakeholders to discuss the best methods to govern and promote India’s thriving gaming sector. Using worldwide best practices like as parental controls and age verification systems, the industry can build a secure and responsible gaming environment that fosters growth without suffocating potential.
As India’s gaming industry expands, the necessity for a standardized age and content rating system becomes more urgent. The AIGDF and IGAP paper provides a plan for creating a framework that balances gaming’s entertainment value with the safety and well-being of its younger users.
2024: a "forum" for RMG decides to peddle a whitepaper on what video game ratings in India should be. Maybe first make video games instead of changing your name to sound like you are game devs when you don't represent the interests of those in the business. Gross.
Rishi Alwani questions the AIGDF’s report regarding its legitimacy and motives. The veteran claims that the AIGDF is funded by real-money gaming companies rather than actual video game developers, suggesting that the report is a ploy to gain relevance. Additionally, the veteran argues that the AIGDF should focus on developing video games before attempting to influence industry regulations.
Celebrating India’s 78th Independence Day, Steam has announced a new made-in-India indie games bundle. The bundle comes with five indie games with Indian themes to celebrate the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
Steam India Independence Day Celebration Bundle: Indie Gems with a Desi Twist
The “India Independence Day Celebration Bundle” includes a wide range of indie titles that explore many cultural aspects of India. From the action-packed adventures of Raji: An Ancient Epic to the immersive environment of The Palace on the Hill, this package has something for everyone’s taste. While the inability to gift the bundle is a minor letdown, it still provides an excellent opportunity for players to discover these indies treasures at discounted prices.
According to SteamDB, the bundle was first available on the Steam backend on August 10, 2024.
The bundle includes:
The Palace on the Hill by Niku Games – Rs 308
Asura: Vengeance Edition by Ogre Head Studio – Rs 249
Raji: An Ancient Epic by Nodding Heads Games – Rs 599
Mystic Pillars: A Story-Based Puzzle Game by Holy Cow Productions – Rs 259
Forgotten Fields by Frostwood Interactive – Rs 419
Individually, the games in this bundle would cost you Rs 1,834. But with the 30% discount, you can grab the entire collection for just Rs 1,283.
From the critically acclaimed Raji: An Ancient Epic to the hidden gem Asura: Vengeance Edition, the bundle includes a mix of established and new titles. Each game provides a unique perspective on Indian culture and history, resulting in an engaging and enriching gaming experience.
Whether you’re an experienced player or fresh to the indie sector, the India Independence Day Celebration Bundle is a must-have for your Steam collection.
Battlegrounds Mobile Indiais currently dominating the country’s mobile gaming arena. The game was launched on July 2, 2021, after PUBG Mobile was banned in September 2020. It was a huge hit and it has no strong competition in the market be it battle royale or esports. With its intense gameplay, strategic elements, and competitive spirit, it has become a favourite among gamers of all ages with lakhs of active players every day.
Do you remember how the game was in older days? Or How is it going today? The game’s meta is constantly evolving and competitive players, gamers, and streams constantly innovate around the meta and come up with new strategies that surprise even the devs.
However, mastering BGMI needs focus, practice, and a comprehensive understanding of the game’s mechanics. This article aims to give an in-depth guide to help you ace up your gameplay and outplay your opponents.
How to Get Better in BGMI
Fundamental Skills
Mastering Aim
Aiming is one of the most crucial things in BGMI, especially in competitive games. You have to be consistent and more accurate to achieve success.
Practice in Training Mode: Esports players will spend hours on training grounds. Use this arena regularly like every day to improve your aim. Try practising target moving objects, aim tracing left to right and right to left
Headshot is the Focus: To maximize damage, aim for headshots. Practice different fire modes with different weapons and ranges to learn how to reliably land headshots.
Mastering Movement
Mastering different movement techniques like crouching, prone, and jumping is essential for avoiding enemy fire and gaining tactical advantages. When you are in an open ground and being fired from a long distance, these movements will help you escape from that scenario.
Also, movement across your fingers when playing BGMI also comes into play. You have to be very quick and fast enough with touch controls to get ahead of your opponents.
Recoil Control
Understanding and controlling weapon recoil is crucial for maintaining accuracy:
Weapon Recoil Patterns: Every weapon has a unique recoil pattern. To master these patterns, practice with your preferred weapon combo in varied ranges. Learn how to manage recoil by altering your grip and shooting patterns. You have to connect shots even without any grips or scope which makes you a pro player ultimately.
Sensitivity Settings
The right sensitivity settings could have a huge influence on your gaming. Don’t just go around by copying others!
Find your comfort zone: Experiment with different sensitivity levels to see what works best for your play style. Practice with each gun and various scopes to find low recoil and high connectivity shots.
Balance Sensitivity: Set the sensitivity for both pointing and movement to guarantee responsiveness and accuracy.
Game Sense and Strategy
Map Knowledge
Familiarity with BGMI game maps is crucial to strategic gameplay.
Learn the layout: Examine each map’s layout, including loot locations, high-ground areas, and potential enemy hotspots.
Plan your routes accordingly: Use map knowledge to plan your route and predict opponent moves.
Strategic positioning
Choosing the right locations can provide a tactical advantage:
High Ground: Position yourself on higher ground to improve your vision and shooting angle.
Cover Utilization: Always use natural or artificial cover to shield yourself from hostile fire.
Play Solo vs Squad which is the best way to learn game sense.
Effective Communication
Picture this: you’re at a location when your silent teammate goes down. You’re left to face the opponents on your own, putting yourself in a risky situation. That is why coordination with your teammates is also important in strategic gameplay.
Callouts: Use clear and concise callouts to indicate opponent positions, loot locations, and strategy changes.
Team Coordination: Collaborate with your team to carry out strategies and respond to risks effectively.
Loot Management
Efficient loot management ensures that you have enough supplements for your fights.
Prioritize essentials: Make sure your weapons are fully attached, and your character with 3-tier helmet and vest.
Avoid Overloading: Avoid picking up unnecessary items that could weigh you down or clutter your inventory.
Vehicle Mastery
Vehicles can be game-changers for mobility and strategy:
Driving Skills: Practice driving various vehicles to have an understanding of their handling and how to use them efficiently for rapid turns or escapes.
Vehicle Use: Use vehicles to scout, position, and move quickly across the area.
Practice and Mindset
Consistent practice
Regular practice in BGMI is critical for improvement.
Daily Sessions: Set out time each day to practice and improve your skills.
Skill Drills: Perform particular drills to work on weaknesses and enhance overall gameplay.
Learning from Professional Players
Observing professional players might give useful information.
Watch Streams and Videos: Learn new strategies and methods by analyzing professional players’ games
Adapt techniques: Incorporate effective techniques and tactics learned from professional players into your own gaming.
Analyzing Mistakes
Reflecting on your games might indicate areas of improvement.
Review Gameplay: Watch match replays to discover and learn from your faults.
Seek input: Communicate with the community or experienced players to receive helpful input.
Positive Mindset
Maintaining a positive mentality is critical for long-term growth.
Stay motivated by focusing on your progress and celebrating minor triumphs.
Manage Frustration: Don’t allow frustration to interfere with your performance. Turn setbacks become learning opportunities.
Reckoning Esports has reclaimed the top spot after a thrilling Day 6 of the BGMS 2024 Domination Week. The team amassed 241 points, edging out Global Esports (238 points) who slipped to second. Gods Reign holds third place, followed by Carpedium whose player, Fierce, was named Player of the Day for his impressive six finishes.
Raven Esports and Team Tamils are in fifth and sixth positions, respectively, with 202 and 201 points. Vasista Esports secured the seventh spot with 190 points, and Orangutan Gaming is eighth with 186 points.
Revenant Esports, despite having secured four chicken dinners previously, is in ninth place. Team Forever holds the tenth spot, both with 185 points. IQOO Soul is in eleventh place, with Entity and Carnival Gaming in twelfth and thirteenth positions, respectively.
The league stage is proving to be a rollercoaster for many teams, including defending champions Team XSpark who are yet to find their footing. As the competition heats up, fans can expect more thrilling matches in the coming days. Today marks the last day of League Week and only three matches left to decide which four teams will get a direct ticket to the Grand Finals.
BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 7: Groups and Schedule
BGMI Master Series 2024 Team Distribution for League Week
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Team 8bit
OneBlade
IQOO SOUL
Team XSpark
Revenant Esports
Carnival Gaming
Reckoning Esports
Team Forever
Gods Reign
Entity
Raven Esports
WSB Gaming
Vasista Esports
Orangutan Gaming
Global Esports
Team Z
Hero Xtreme Godlike
CarpeDiem
Team Tamilas
MOGO Esports
Today’s Match Schedule
Match
Map
Group(s)
Time
1
Erangel
A, B, D, E
6:30 PM IST
2
Miramar
A, C, D, E
7:15 PM IST
3
Sanhok
B, C, D, E
8:00 PM IST
With only three matches to go, it will be intriguing to see how other teams will showcase their gameplay, especially against the bounty teams. Two points for every kill will be awarded for eliminating players of a bounty team and an Impact player will get two points for every finish he makes. Teams will also get two points for every kill in powerplay duration. These special rules will be applied today and the competition will be fierce as it has been so far.
BGMS Domination Week Day 6 Overall Standings
After 27 Matches in the League Week, here are the overall standings:
BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 6 ended with Team Reckoning taking back their first place with 241 points. The team secured 14 points in the second match in Sanhok as they took six eliminations in the powerplay. Global Esports failed to score any points and dropped down to second place with 238 points. Gods Reign secured 12 points in the first match and stays in third place. Team Carpedium had a nice run and their 27-point finish in the second match led them to the fourth spot.
Raven Esports secured the fifth spot by scoring 17 points across two matches while Team Tamils trailed behind with a 1-point difference. Vasista Esports accumulated 14 points in the second match which helped them to secure the seventh spot and there is Orangutan Gaming in the eighth place with zero points scored on Day 6. Revenant Esports and Team Forever rounded out the top 10.
Let’s look at the overall standings of BGMS Domination Week Day 6.
BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 6 Points Table
Here are the overall standings with how many points the team scored on Day 6:
1 of 2
Team
DAY 6 Points
Day 5 Points
Points Scored on Day 6 alone
Reckoning Esports
241
221
20
Global Esports
238
238
0
Gods Reign
219
207
12
CarpeDiem
215
186
29
Raven Esports
202
185
17
Team Tamilas
201
190
11
Vasista Esports
190
174
16
Team Orangutan
186
186
0
Revenant
185
185
0
Team Forever
185
156
29
Team Soul
185
140
45
Entity Gaming
174
148
26
Carnival Gaming
164
148
16
Team GodLike
164
141
23
OneBlade
156
132
24
MOGO Esports
140
140
0
Team Z
140
124
16
Team XSpark
95
95
0
WSB Gaming
87
85
2
Team 8Bit
80
78
2
Team Soul scored 45 points across two matches and climbed to the eleventh spot. Entity had a nice run on Day 6 as they accumulated 29 points. Team Godlike and OneBlade also bagged 23 and 24 points each but did not secure good placement points and ultimately held the fourteenth place and fifteenth place.
Despite having three chicken dinners so far, Mogo Esports is at the fifteenth place with no points scored on this day. Team XSpark, champions of BGIS 2024, is not having a great League stage though they did well in the opening week.
Fierce from Carpedium became the standout Player of the Day with six finishes.
BGMS Season 3 Domination Week Impact Players Rankings
Reckoning Esports retains its top position in the overall standings after BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 6 concluded. The team secured their position back with 241 points and their 14 points in the second match led them to the top while Global Esports stepped down to the second position with 238 points as they secured zero points on this day.
Gods Reign is now in third place with 219 points while Carpedium climbed to fourth place with 215 points and Fierce became the stand-out player of the day with six finishes. Raven Esports (202 pts), Team Tamilas (201 pts), Vasista Esports (190 pts) and Orangutan Gaming (186 pts) rounded out the top eight teams.
Despite having 4 chicken dinners, Revenant Esports stands in ninth place while Team Forever is in the tenth spot with 185 points each. IQOO Soul is now in the 11th position and Entity & Carnival Gaming is at the 12th and 13th spots respectively.
Here are the overall standings for Day 6.
BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 6 Overall Standings
After 27 Matches in the League Week, here are the overall standings:
Reckoning Esports – 241 points
Global Esports – 238 points
Gods Reign – 219 points
CarpeDiem – 215 points
Raven Esports – 202 points
Team Tamilas – 201 points
Vasista Esports – 190 points
Team Orangutan – 186 points
Revenant – 185 points
Team Forever – 185 points
Team Soul – 185 points
Entity Gaming – 174 points
Carnival Gaming – 164 points
Team GodLike – 164 points
OneBlade – 156 points
MOGO Esports – 140 points
Team Z – 140 points
Team XSpark – 95 points
WSB Gaming – 87 points
Team 8Bit – 80 points
Match 1 – Miramar: Carnival Gaming, led by Hector clinched their second WWCD in the first match of Day 6 with 4 finishes. They had zone and player advantage against Carpedium and IQOO Soul in the end zone. Carpedium had a nice run in this match as they bagged a total of 27 points with the help of nine finishes while IQOO Soul grabbed the third place with 16 points.
Herox Godlike secured fourth place with 13 points and Gods Reign grabbed 12 points. Reckoning Esports was eliminated early but grabbed six points for their side.
Match 2 – Sanhok: Team Forever dominated the match, showcasing exceptional gameplay throughout. Despite a late entry into the final zone, they outmanoeuvred Oneblade and Godlike to secure the Chicken Dinner with 27 points. Team Soul performed well, accumulating 29 points with Rony as their standout player. Team Entity finished with 26 points, with Saumraj contributing 5 eliminations.
With only three matches remaining in the League, the competition will be as intense as it has been so far and we will get to see which teams will get their direct ticket to Grand Finals tomorrow.
In a surprise move that has sent ripples through the gaming community, Riot Games has officially launched Valorant on Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 consoles. The free-to-play tactical shooter, which initially captivated PC players upon its release in June 2020, has now expanded its reach to console gamers. Here are more details.
Riot Games Launches Valorant Console for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S
Valorant console version was released on August 2 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S after a significant beta period. However, the console version is only available in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. The console version features the same gameplay, agents, and abilities as its PC counterpart.
While Valorant shares core gameplay elements across platforms, Riot Games recognizes that the PC and console versions require separate balancing. Different input methods and playstyles necessitate distinct adjustments to ensure fair competition on both platforms. Hence, crossplay between PC and console players will not be supported. Riot Games has cited the preservation of competitive integrity as the primary reason for this decision. However, the developer has implemented cross-progression, allowing players to carry over their skins and progress seamlessly between PC and console.
To optimize the Valorant experience for console players, Riot Games has introduced several adjustments. A new shooting mode called “Focus” has been implemented to enhance controller-based aim. This mode offers a balance between hip-fire speed and precision, catering to the preferences of console shooters.
Over the beta period of the Valorant console, the game received four patches and the devs promised to release regular patches for every two weeks.
Valorant is now available for free on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 5.
BGMS 2024 Domination Week Day 4 concluded with Team Reckoning maintaining their lead in the overall standings with 217 points. They had a nice run on Day 5 with position numbers and finishes. Reckoning Esports is now in the second position with 221 points while Gods Reign taking the third place on the table with 207 points. Team Tamilas is in fourth place while Orangutan and Carpedium lead in the next positions.
Revenant with their chicken dinner in the last match stands in seventh place, which amounts to a total of 4 victories, the highest total WWCDs by a team so far. Next on the list are Raven Esports, Vasista Esports, Team Forever, Entitiy, Carnival Gaming, Godlike, Mogo and Soul Esports. Only two matchdays are remaining and only the top four teams will advance to the finals while the rest will get to test their luck in the playoffs.
BGMS 2024 Day 5 Overall Standings: Global Esports Secures the First Position
Global Esports – 238 points
Reckoning Esports – 221 points
Gods Reign – 207 points
Team Tamilas – 190 points
Team Orangutan – 186 points
CarpeDiem – 186 points
Revenant – 185 points
Raven Esports – 185 points
Vasista Esports – 174 points
Team Forever – 156 points
Entity Gaming – 148 points
Carnival Gaming – 148 points
Team GodLike – 141 points
MOGO Esports – 140 points
Team Soul – 140 points
OneBlade – 132 points
Team Z – 124 points
Team XSpark – 95 points
WSB Gaming – 85 points
Team 8Bit – 78 points
Match 1: Erangel – Mogo Esports with their strategic gameplay and tactics clinched the victory in the first match with 18 overall points. Global Esports dominated the match but did not secure the win. However, they accumulated 14 finishes in this match. Team Soul secured eight points while Carpedium, God Reign, and Orangutan grabbed seven points each. Match 2: Miramar – Revenant Esports with a brilliant gameplay showcase marked a victory in this match with eleven impressive finishes. Global Esports also bagged 14 finishes in this match and their back-to-back performance led them to the top. Team Xspark shined in this match with a much-needed 12 points. With only six matches remaining, the top four teams must exercise composure to secure their place in the Finals. The remaining teams will need to intensify their efforts to clinch a top-four position, while those outside contention would focus on maximizing points through bounty eliminations and powerplay kills. Here is the schedule for today’s matches.
Sony released PlayStation Portal last year, a dedicated game streaming device that allows players to access PS5 games without a TV or monitor. After nine months of its global release, the PlayStation portal is finally set to debut in India. Here are more details.
Sony PlayStation Portal India Launch Confirmed: Availability and Price
PlayStation Portal will hit the Indian market starting from August 3. Priced at Rs 18,990, the console will be available to buy from Sony Centres, Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance, Vijay Sales, Blinkit and other participating retailers.
PlayStation Portal: Specs
The PlayStation Portal remote player features an eight-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. It can stream PS4 and PS5 games from Sony’s latest console at up to 60fps in full HD. The screen also includes touch-sensitive zones on the left and right sides.
The device incorporates DualSense wireless controller features, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, for compatible games.
For connectivity, the PlayStation Portal offers a USB Type-C port for charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Sony’s proprietary PS Link feature, and Wi-Fi 5, but it does not support Bluetooth.
This handheld device lets you enjoy your PS5 games wirelessly on a portable screen, without needing a TV or monitor. It’s essentially a mobile extension of your PlayStation console. To use it, both the handheld and your PS5 must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This means you can only play while within your home’s Wi-Fi range. While not fully portable, it offers greater flexibility for gaming around your house.
Rishi Alwani, a well-known tipster has reported that this device is said to arrive in India in August. He also mentioned that the PlayStation Portal’s Indian launch has been marked by delays primarily due to lengthy BIS certification, a common hurdle for Chinese-made electronics. Despite this, the device has already gained popularity through parallel imports, potentially impacting its official sales. With limited perceived value and late entry into the market, retailers are expected to stock minimal quantities.
