GGF Weekly XP – Week of October 6, 2025

kingkiller18
Oct 10
4 min read

Your weekly checkpoint for the biggest drops in gaming and esports.

Gaming Highlights

Battlefield 6 launches with queues as servers overflowThe long-awaited Battlefield 6 launch went live this week — and it didn’t take long for servers to buckle under the pressure. Fans who rushed to jump in were greeted by full servers and a newly implemented queue system designed to manage overwhelming demand. While the wait times frustrated many, the response shows there’s still massive interest in the series after years of ups and downs. Developer DICE has already confirmed that additional server capacity is on the way, and early feedback suggests that gameplay itself is smoother and more balanced once you actually get in.

Backyard Sports retro revival complete, plus an animated special!Nostalgia lovers are eating good this week: Backyard Sports Leads officially announced the completion of its Retro Collection, bringing back the charm of the classic sports games that defined childhoods in the early 2000s. The collection includes updated visuals and modern quality-of-life improvements while preserving the heart and humor of the originals. Developers also confirmed that production on an animated special is nearly finished, expanding the Backyard Sports universe beyond gaming for the first time. For fans of Pablo Sanchez and crew, it’s shaping up to be a full-blown comeback worth celebrating.

Treyarch shakes up matchmaking in Black Ops 7In a major and somewhat controversial move, Treyarch revealed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch with open matchmaking as the default setting. This means players will no longer be tightly grouped by skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), a system that has long divided the CoD community. The studio is also bringing back persistent lobbies, a throwback to the franchise’s classic multiplayer experience that encourages rematches and community interaction. Fans are already celebrating the news, calling it a “return to form” for the series, though it remains to be seen how this shift will affect competitive balance once the game launches.

PlayStation 6 leak points to AMD chip partnershipA new report has surfaced claiming that Sony’s next-gen console, the PlayStation 6, will once again feature AMD hardware at its core. Leakers suggest that the chip design process is already underway, hinting that Sony plans to release the PS6 sometime in the early 2030s. The move would continue Sony’s partnership with AMD, which has powered the PlayStation 4 and 5 with strong performance and power efficiency. While no official specs or release window have been confirmed, the leak has sparked early speculation about what kind of technical leaps the next generation might bring.

Esports Highlights

BLAST Rivals Hong Kong locks in CS2 teamsBLAST has officially confirmed the invited roster for its upcoming Counter-Strike 2 event in Hong Kong, bringing together some of the world’s best teams for a high-stakes showdown. The event represents BLAST’s continued push into new global markets, showcasing CS2’s international reach and popularity. With top-tier organizations on the bill, fans are anticipating a mix of classic rivalries and new storylines that could reshape the competitive landscape heading into 2026. BLAST also teased major production upgrades for the event, promising one of its most ambitious broadcasts to date.

Sentinels hint at VCT 2026 roster shakeupFollowing a tough 2025 campaign, Sentinels is teasing big changes to its Valorant lineup ahead of the VCT 2026 season. The organization posted cryptic social media updates hinting at roster adjustments, sparking speculation among fans about which players might be departing or joining. Sentinels has been a powerhouse brand since the early days of Valorant esports, but recent underperformances have led to calls for a refresh. Whatever moves they make could have ripple effects across the competitive scene, as the org remains one of the biggest names in the game.

ESL Pro League Season 22 playoff teams revealedAfter weeks of intense competition, the playoff teams for ESL Pro League Season 22 have finally been revealed. The lineup includes several fan favorites as well as a few surprise dark horses that clawed their way through the group stage. As the playoffs approach, teams are fine-tuning strategies and preparing for the pressure cooker that is one of the most prestigious events in CS2. With massive prize pools and ranking points on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher heading into the final rounds.

Marvel Rivals celebrates with Twitch Drops for Season 4.5Marvel Rivals continues to engage its growing fanbase with fresh content drops and events, and this month’s Twitch Drops campaign is the latest example. Players can earn exclusive skins, emotes, and other rewards simply by watching partnered streams throughout October. The initiative supports both creators and competitive players, driving engagement during a quieter part of the season. With Season 4.5 introducing new heroes and balance tweaks, the Drops event gives players even more reason to stay connected.