Valorant Developer Updates: Season 2026 is Here

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

New Weapon Introduction: The Bandit, a high-impact sidearm capable of one-shot headshot eliminations, has been added to the game.
Breeze Map Rework: The map has undergone significant changes in Patch 12.00.
Updates to Existing Agents and Weapons: There are modifications made to Breach, Brim, Harbor, Tejo, Sage, and Vyse, as well as updates to Haven and Corrode ARs.
New Gameplay Mode and Replay System: A new gameplay mode is introduced, and players can now use the replay system in Custom Matches. Additionally, there are updates on player behavior within the game.

New Weapons, Map Rework, and More in Valorant Patch 12.00 Updates

Valorant has released development updates for Season 2026 Act 1, introducing a new weapon, updates to the MMR system, and more. Patch 12.00 features the Bandit, a high-impact sidearm capable of one-shot headshot eliminations. The update also includes changes to Breach, Brim, Harbor, Tejo, Sage, and Vyse, plus a complete rework of the Breeze map. Players can now use the replay system in Custom Matches. Journalist Jose Maria Serna’s article on Valorant Patch 12.00 details these highlights; further information is available in the Devblogs. Key updates: Bandit (New Weapon) Breeze Rework Changes to Haven and Corrode ARs New gameplay mode Updates on player behavior Collection Ayakashi Developed and distributed by Riot Games, Valorant is a 5×5 competitive first-person tactical shooter game with original characters. Available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and mobile (in China), the game emphasizes precise and lethal multiplayer action, offering realistic shooting mechanics, a diverse arsenal, unique agent abilities, and a focus on competitive maps. Riot Games employs top-tier servers, global infrastructure, and anti-cheat technology to ensure a high-quality tactical shooter experience worldwide.

In Case You Missed It

While Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has since been hailed as a masterpiece, scoring an impressive 92 on Metacritic and sweeping The Game Awards, Marcus Thompson takes us back to the studio’s humble expectations in his latest post. Published January 2nd, ‘Before Release, Sandfall Believed Clair Obscur Would Score Just 80 on Metacritic’ reveals the surprising internal bets that predicted a much lower score Before Release, Sandfall Believed Clair Obscur Would Score Just 80 on Metacritic. Meanwhile, in the gaming industry’s recent turn of events, Matt Firor, the long-standing lead developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has parted ways with ZeniMax Online Studios. Jonathan Dubinski’s insightful piece published on the same day explores how Firor’s departure was triggered by Microsoft’s significant layoffs and studio closures, with Firor unable to reconcile his vision for Project Blackbird with these decisions Elder Scrolls Online Leader Departs Due to Microsoft. Shifting our focus to the console gaming landscape, Marcus Thompson’s sobering analysis published on January 4th titled “Xbox Endures Historic Collapse in UK with Worst Annual Sales Ever” explores Xbox’s sharp decline in the UK market, with sales dropping by 39% compared to the previous year. If you’re eager to understand how this trend impacts Xbox’s broader strategy and what it means for their future, be sure to check out Marcus’ analysis here Xbox Endures Historic Collapse in UK with Worst Annual Sales Ever.

Specification
Official Name	Groove Coaster: Initial Initial Echo Ego
Brief Summary	Touhou Project music DLC for Groove CoasterTitle: Initial Initial Echo EgoArtist: RD-Sounds*Arrange from Touhou ShinreibyouDifficulty: Simple 2 / Normal 5 / Hard 8BPM: 156
Genre	Music
Play Modes	Single player