GGF Weekly XP – Week of September 8, 2025

kTHNXgg
Sep 12
3 min read

Updated: Sep 26

Your weekly checkpoint for the biggest drops in gaming and esports

Welcome back to GGF Weekly XP, where we combine all the week’s biggest gaming and esports headlines into one quick save. Let’s get into it.

Gaming Highlights

Borderlands 4 release times and launch details

Borderlands 4 officially launches on September 12, 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with the Switch 2 version following on October 3.
PC players will unlock at 11 a.m. Central Time on September 11.
Console users get access at midnight local time on September 12 (though West Coast players see a 9 p.m. CT start).
The launch isn’t without controversy Gearbox warns that players with older hardware might encounter serious performance issues, making upgrades nearly unavoidable for some.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC revealed

A new paid DLC called Mega Dimension will arrive on October 16, 2025 (with pre-orders open now).
The expansion introduces Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y, along with the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, whose space-warping powers will play a major role in the DLC’s storyline.
Players who preorder by February 28, 2026, will receive a Luxurious Poké Ball Set and in-game outfit items to customize their Trainer.

Pokémon Pokopia: A cozy new Pokémon life sim

Pokémon Pokopia is a newly announced spin-off that more closely resembles games like Animal Crossing and Story of Seasons, putting farming, community-building, and everyday life at the center instead of capturing or battling.
The game appears to star a Ditto that transforms into a human version of itself, setting out to rebuild a Pokémon paradise using trusted companions and player-crafted buildings.
While the release date hasn’t been fully confirmed, early impressions suggest it will release on a Nintendo console, likely the Switch 2, and may avoid the monetization pitfalls of mobile Pokémon titles.

Community steps in to make Silksong more accessible

Hollow Knight: Silksong has proved brutally difficult for some new players, and frustration has led to a small portion of players walking away entirely.
In response, parts of the community have highlighted accessibility mods and difficulty tools to help ease newcomers into the game, showing how player-made solutions are stepping in where official difficulty options fall short.

Esports Highlights

5 players to watch at VALORANT Champions 2025Esports Insider has spotlighted five competitors expected to make waves at the upcoming VALORANT Champions event in Paris:

Alfajer (Fnatic) — Known for his sharp aim and clutch potential.
whzy (Bilibili Gaming) — A tactical player with a reputation for creative plays under pressure.
zekken (Sentinels) — A seasoned veteran with a history of strong international performance.

Read more on Esports Insider for the full list.

Germany moves to recognize esports clubs as non-profit organizations

In a landmark policy shift, Germany’s federal cabinet approved a proposal to classify esports clubs as non-profit organizations beginning in January 2026.
This change could unlock tax exemptions, public funding, and youth development grants — tools that traditional sports organizations have long used.
Still, the bill has faced criticism from esports federations that argue current drafting might hamper collaboration with traditional sports and complicate esports' relationship with Olympic frameworks.

LoL Worlds 2025 ticket pricing raises eyebrows

Ticket prices for League of Legends Worlds 2025 are already drawing criticism from fans. While Riot hasn’t confirmed full pricing details yet, previous Worlds events have included tiered ticket systems with prices ranging from lower-tier seats around €60–£80 to premium seats above €150–£180.
For many fans, the frustration has come not only from the cost but from chaotic ticket queuing systems, confusing presale waves, and scalping fears, leading to a bigger debate about how accessible major esports events should be.

1xBet becomes a title partner of 9z Team

Betting company 1xBet has officially become a partner of Argentinian esports org 9z Team, making it the team’s tenth sponsor alongside names like Monster Energy and Samsung.
While financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed, 1xBet has previously backed Latin American teams, including Bestia, through significant grassroots tournament funding conditional on competitive performance.
The partnership highlights the growing influence of betting sponsors in esports, a trend that many in the scene are watching warily given concerns about gambling, match-fixing, and audience ethics.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up this week’s GGF Weekly XP. From Borderlands 4’s global release to Pokémon’s spin toward cozy sims, and from VALORANT’s top talent to shifting policy in European esports, it’s been a big week for our corner of gaming.

What are you most excited to dive into? Let us know in our Discord, we’d love to hear what your next big play will be.

Until next week, keep leveling up and always quest with good company. 🎮