We have prepared a digest of the main news for September 8, 2026, for Players readers.
Neymar has played more than 11 000 hours of Counter-Strike
Brazilian footballer Neymar has turned out to be just as dedicated a gamer as he is a professional athlete. A screenshot of his Steam account, published by the Brazilian Flow Games podcast, shows more than 11,300 hours in Counter-Strike.
Colin McRae: DiRT 2 — why this game still has a place in video game history
On September 8, 2009, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 was released — one of the most memorable racing games of its generation. And today, it is interesting not only as another installment in a famous rally series. DiRT 2 became a kind of transition point between classic rally simulators and more spectacular arcade racing games.
The esports project Clutchain, which signed the women’s roster Pigeons and a men’s team led by ScreaM and Nivera in spring 2026, has effectively ceased operations after just a few months. According to the players, the organization owes them more than €70,000 in unpaid salaries.
Riot Games announces Project Blender 2026 tournament with a €100,000 prize pool and Paris LAN finals
Riot Games and Gozulting have officially announced the return of the Project Blender 2026 VALORANT competition, covering the EMEA region and offering a €100,000 prize pool. This tournament is open to teams of all levels and will feature two LAN stages in Paris, intended to compensate for the cancellation of the 2025 offline final due to visa and logistical issues.
Minecraft is getting the Wilderness Bound update
Mojang has revealed the name and details of Minecraft's third Game Drop of 2026, officially titled Wilderness Bound. The update will introduce the new Dappled Forest biome, featuring tall Poplar trees with red, orange, and yellow foliage, as well as Red Shrubs and Shelf Mushrooms that can be used for parkour.