The gaming industry is known for its dynamism and abundance of news, so there is new news almost every day. From unexpected changes in team line-ups to impressive updates and game releases. 2025 is no exception, and it may be one of the most productive years in the industry in the last decade. Fans and players alike are looking forward to major esports events, new large-scale releases, global game patches, and a whole lot more. In this article, we have made a detailed overview of the latest gaming events, including both esports and general gaming.
Dota 2 EWC 2025 Playoffs Are Underway
On 16 July, the decisive stage of one of the biggest esports tournaments of the year began with the Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2025. Almost all platforms and today gaming news are covering this competition, as 8 of the world’s best teams are competing for a $3 million prize pool and important club championship points. After a gruelling battle in stages 1 and 2, the top eight teams have moved on, and each of them is just a few steps away from the coveted title.
The participants include PARIVISION, BB Team, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Tundra Esports, Aurora Gaming, and Gaimin Gladiators. All of them are among the best this season and will prove it only at Esports World Cup 2025. You can watch the matches on the official YouTube and Twitch channels of EWC, and we advise you not to miss this event, as this year’s playoffs are not only about prize money, but also about prestige, future invitations and a chance to stand out on the world stage.
Marvel Rivals Introduces Phoenix, a Hero That Changes Everything
Many of you have heard of Marvel Rivals, a shooter based on the Marvel heroic universe where you can play as your favourite superheroes. Gpa is also known for its frequent updates and this time, players are preparing for the appearance of a new character that is already causing a stir. We are talking about Jean Grey, better known as Phoenix. The fiery mutant was added to the game on 11 July, and she is a great combination of brute strength and strategic flexibility.
Classified as a Duelist with a moderate difficulty rating (3 out of 5), Phoenix introduces new gameplay elements to team battles. You can read more about her abilities and characteristics on EGW news or on the game’s official website. Phoenix has 4 abilities: telekinesis burst, dark ascnet, telepathic illusion, and enosong inferno. All of them are very powerful and can destroy an opponent in a matter of seconds. Early gameplay footage shows that Phoenix has become one of the strongest heroes in this patch. As Marvel Rivals continues to evolve, players should expect more game updates and new characters to be released.
Dota 2 EWC 2025 Playoffs Are Underway
Continuing with the topic of eSports, it is worth mentioning Counter-Strike 2, which is also one of the most popular video games of today. Recently, the game released patch 1.45.0, which made some adjustments to the gaming ecosystem. It is interesting that the update was released on the eve of the prestigious IEM Cologne 2025, so teams will have to adapt quickly. Here are the most notable changes in patch 1.45.0:
- Overpass is back in the Active Duty map pool, replacing Anubis, a controversial move that has sparked mixed reactions.
- The incendiary grenade now spreads fire faster, increasing its effectiveness in area denial.
- The MP9 has been nerfed, with higher recoil and reduced accuracy when jumping.
- A small but meaningful economy buff for CTs: now they receive $50 for each terrorist eliminated, regardless of round outcome.
These changes may not seem significant, but in professional matches, they will give you a big advantage. Especially at LAN tournaments such as IEM Cologne, they can tip the scales of an entire series. As the Counter-Strike 2 competitive season is in full swing, it will be interesting to see how teams adapt to this update and how the matches play out.
Global Gaming Landscape: Other Headlines You Shouldn’t Miss
In addition to esports, the gaming industry is also witnessing a lot of important events. This year, although there is not a very large number of releases, they are all interesting and of high quality.
Let’s start with Elden Ring: Nightreign, which unexpectedly appeared and gave fans of the game series a hell of a challenge. Players were waiting for the millionth death from the same boss and a bunch of interesting quests that were not so easy to complete. Another feature of the game was a co-operative spin-off – it is not a full-fledged sequel, but rather the fact that FromSoft made all illegal multiplayer mods an official product.
Another interesting release of the year was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game unexpectedly broke into the tops on the main gaming platforms and gained great popularity. The debut rpg game from Sandfall Interactive even claims to be a Game of the Year. The game features a turn-based group combat mode with light real-time elements (more like Earthbound than Final Fantasy VII Remake) and a dark fantasy setting inspired by the French Revolution. Impressive graphics, game mechanics and ideas are all present in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Speaking of new releases, it is also worth mentioning Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The sequel to the legendary game immediately attracted the attention of the gaming community. It eliminates almost all the friction that weighed down its rookie efforts, captivating with a truly unpredictable story full of intrigue and flexible stealth-action playgrounds hidden in its huge, eerily beautiful version of the game. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn’t perfect, but it’s incredibly entertaining and original.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned about the main news of the esports and gaming industry, and you have seen that this industry brings a lot of interesting things almost every day. The Dota 2 EWC playoffs as one of the main tournaments of the year, a new CS2 patch, a new hero in Marvel Rivals, and the best game releases – all of this expands the gaming ecosystem. Independent developers, mobile game creators, and esports organisers are also playing their part, promoting innovative ideas and formats. Whether you’re a fan or a professional player, knowing about updates and new products in the gaming industry will be useful for everyone.
