We have prepared a digest of the main news for September 23, 2026, for Players readers.
Massive Hidden CS2 Update: Pets, Rush 3x3 Mode, and Quiet Reloading
Valve has released a surprise update for Counter-Strike 2. While the developers did not publish official patch notes, players have already independently discovered a series of major additions, including a companion system, a new dynamic game mode, and tactical mechanics.
VRS Standings Update: NAVI's Record Collapse, Vitality's Triumph, and Luminosity's Breakthrough
The conclusion of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 has significantly shifted the balance of power in the VRS, a crucial ranking for determining participants in the upcoming PGL Major Singapore 2026.
How a Kyoto Craftsman Founded Nintendo: The Story of the Company That Started with Playing Cards
On September 23, 1889, in Kyoto, Fusajiro Yamauchi founded a company that, more than a century later, would become one of the most recognizable names in the global video game industry. At the time, it was a small workshop producing traditional Japanese Hanafuda playing cards. Consoles, video games, and Mario were nowhere in sight.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Kicks Off Tomorrow in Shanghai: The Main Esports Tournament of the Year
Shanghai will become the center of global VALORANT from September 24 to October 18, 2026, hosting the final championship of the year — VALORANT Champions 2026 (VCT Champions) under the motto "生死无暇 (FRAG OR DIE)". The tournament is organized by Riot Games and TJ Sports and will serve as the culminating event of the V26 Tour. The competition holds the highest S-Tier status and will be held offline on patch 13.05.
LEC 2027 Plans: The Future of Road Trips, Cancellation of LEC Versus, and the Three-Split Format
LEC Commissioner Artem Bykov has outlined key strategies for the European League of Legends championship in 2027, discussing the future of road trips, tournament formats, penalty policies, and officially dismissing rumors of an online transition ahead of the lower bracket final in Nice.