American esports organisation M80 has officially expanded its fighting game ambitions, announcing the signing of Jo’siah “Hikari” Miller as a professional player for 2XKO. The move marks a major return to the FGC scene for M80, adding one of the most decorated tag fighter players of the modern era to its roster.

Fight club expanded ✅

welcome @HikariNYC to M80 2XKO! pic.twitter.com/BO9JeWPLxh

— M80 💣 (@M80gg) December 30, 2025

A Proven Champion Joins M80

Hikari is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dragon Ball FighterZ players of all time. His competitive resume includes championship victories at Evo 2023 and Evo France 2025, as well as back to back World Tour Finals titles in 2024 and 2025. Those achievements cemented his status as a defining figure in the Dragon Ball FighterZ esports era.

Now, Hikari brings that experience and winning mentality into Riot Games’ new tag team fighter, as M80 looks to establish itself in the rapidly growing 2XKO ecosystem.

Hikari’s 2XKO Journey So Far

Hikari has been actively competing in 2XKO throughout 2025, starting with the TNS Alpha Lab 2 tournament back in April. Since then, he has appeared across multiple high profile events, including a third place finish at the 2XKO tournament during DreamHack Atlanta 2025 and the FlyQuest 2XKO Christmas Clash.

He has also picked up several tournament wins along the way, most recently claiming victory at IB Games First Impact 2. Many of these community driven competitions were supported by Riot Games’ First Impact initiative, helping Hikari earn close to $10,000 in prize money so far during his early 2XKO career.

A Big Step For M80 And The FGC

M80 is best known for its presence in titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket League. The signing of Hikari signals a clear commitment to the fighting game community and a renewed focus on the FGC.

This is not M80’s first step into fighting games. The organisation previously signed Street Fighter player Samuel “EndingWalker” Arm, who competed in events such as the Topanga World Championship while representing M80 in 2023. Bringing in a player of Hikari’s calibre, however, represents the organisation’s most high profile FGC move to date.

What’s Next For 2XKO In 2026

2XKO made significant progress in 2025, moving into early access and hosting its first official tournament at Evo France 2025. Momentum is expected to continue into 2026, with the arrival of Caitlyn, a popular League of Legends champion, joining the roster in January.

Leaks have also suggested that 2XKO will officially launch on January 20 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. On the competitive side, one of the first major events of the year will take place at Frosty Faustings XVIII, where a mixed mode 2XKO tournament is scheduled for January 30, 2026. Riot Games has also confirmed that 2XKO will feature at Evo 2026 and Evo Japan, further solidifying its place in the global FGC calendar.

With Hikari now representing M80, all eyes will be on how quickly the Dragon Ball FighterZ legend can translate his success into Riot Games’ newest fighting title.

The post M80 Signs Dragon Ball FighterZ Legend Hikari As 2XKO Player appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Budapest Major 2025 is gearing up for a massive Stage 2 opener, with eight new teams joining the action after a packed Stage 1. Fans can expect a full day of back to back matches as the next round kicks off, and the matchups look anything but easy for some of the favourites.

Stage 1 Wraps Up, Pressure Rises in Stage 2

With Stage 1 now complete, eight teams advance to meet the eight organisations that qualified directly through the VRS. Despite their strong 3 0 runs, M80 and FlyQuest have been handed difficult openers. M80 will take on the ever threatening Aurora, while FlyQuest face NAVI, one of the highest ranked squads in the field.

Another standout matchup comes from Ninjas in Pyjamas versus Astralis. The pairing sets up a spicy reunion, as sjuush lines up against his former teammates and device faces his old organisation once again.

Elsewhere, a struggling FaZe Clan will attempt to steady the ship against Passion UA, and a classic Brazilian derby between MIBR and Imperial helps round out the schedule.

📢 The matchups are set for the opening round of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 pic.twitter.com/QpaLnw52sv

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) November 27, 2025

Opening Matches for Stage 2

Saturday, 29 November 2025

Astralis vs Ninjas in Pyjamas

13:00 CEST
12:00 BST
07:00 ET
04:00 PT
01:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

3DMAX vs fnatic

13:00 CEST
12:00 BST
07:00 ET
04:00 PT
01:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Passion UA vs FaZe Clan

14:00 CEST
13:00 BST
08:00 ET
05:00 PT
02:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

PARIVISION vs TYLOO

14:00 CEST
13:00 BST
08:00 ET
05:00 PT
02:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Natus Vincere vs FlyQuest

15:00 CEST
14:00 BST
09:00 ET
06:00 PT
03:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Aurora vs M80

15:00 CEST
14:00 BST
09:00 ET
06:00 PT
03:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

MIBR vs Imperial

16:00 CEST
15:00 BST
10:00 ET
07:00 PT
04:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Team Liquid vs B8

16:00 CEST
15:00 BST
10:00 ET
07:00 PT
04:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

A Huge Day Ahead in Budapest

Sixteen BO1 matches will light up Stage 2’s opening day, making it one of the busiest moments of the entire Major. With high stakes, emotional reunions, and several top tier teams clashing earlier than expected, Budapest is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic Majors in recent memory.

Fans won’t want to miss a moment, and with the timezone conversions above, tuning in should be easier than ever.

The post Budapest Major Stage 2: Full Opening Match Schedule Confirmed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A New Champion Will Be Crowned

Rainbow Six Siege fans across North America are in for an exciting showdown this December. Ubisoft and BLAST have announced that the North America League 2025 Regional Finals will take place at LocalHost Philadelphia, with the best teams from the region battling it out from December 13 to 14 for the coveted championship title, and a direct ticket to the Six Invitational 2026.

It’s time to crown a North American Champion 👑

The Champion of the North American region will be decided December 13-14th, with the winner qualifying for the Six Invitational 2026🔥

You won’t want to miss this, so buy your tickets now🎟️ pic.twitter.com/ScRTSNIrmI

— Rainbow Six Esports (@R6esports) October 13, 2025

Two-Phase Tournament Format

This year’s NAL Finals are structured into two distinct phases:

• Phase 1 (Online): Taking place from November 29 to 30, the online stage will feature the Upper Bracket Semifinals and Lower Bracket Round 1 in a double-elimination format.
• Phase 2 (LAN): The spotlight shifts to Philadelphia for the Upper Bracket Final, Lower Bracket Quarterfinals, Lower Bracket Semifinal, Lower Bracket Final, and Grand Final, all held live at LocalHost on December 13 and 14.

Five of the six participating teams will appear at the LAN stage, with the final spot determined through early bracket eliminations.

The Teams Fighting for Glory

The Regional Finals will bring together six of North America’s finest:

Upper Bracket

• Shopify Rebellion
• Spacestation Gaming
• M80
• Oxygen Esports

Lower Bracket

• DarkZero Esports
• Wildcard Gaming

Each team is vying not only for bragging rights but also for their share of a €100,000 (~$116,000 USD) prize pool. The champions will walk away with roughly €40,000 (~$46,000 USD) and, more importantly, secure a guaranteed spot at the Six Invitational 2026 in Paris.

What’s at Stake

The Six Invitational is Rainbow Six Siege’s biggest annual event, often compared to the “World Cup” of the game. The 2026 edition, set to run from February 2 to 15 in Paris, France, will gather 20 of the best teams worldwide, including regional champions, Munich Major winners, and Last Chance Qualifier victors — to determine who reigns supreme in the Siege competitive scene.

A win in Philadelphia could completely shift a team’s season trajectory. Alongside the prize money and SI qualification, teams will also earn SI Points, crucial for improving their global rankings and seeding in future international events.

Where and How to Watch

Fans attending in person can grab tickets for USD $20 through Nerd Street’s official site, while online viewers can tune in to every match live on the Rainbow Six Esports Twitch and YouTube channels.

A Grand Stage for North America

The North America League Finals mark one of four major regional events leading up to the Six Invitational, alongside the Europe MENA League, South America League, and Asia Pacific League. Each will determine which teams carry their region’s pride to the global stage.

With tension building and stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on Philadelphia this December as North America’s best Siege squads fight to become champions, and secure their shot at world glory in Paris.

The post Rainbow Six Siege North America League Finals Head to Philadelphia This December appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

North American esports organisation M80 is turning back the clock with a major visual refresh, bringing back its original “firecracker” logo that fans first fell in love with. The return to the classic emblem signals a renewed focus on the brand’s roots and community, marking another chapter in what’s been a turbulent but exciting year for the organisation.

We’re back #TheFuseIsLit pic.twitter.com/Z5uvuMUA4r

— M80 💣 (@M80gg) October 13, 2025

Back to the Beginning

M80 announced its rebrand on social media on October 14, 2025, showcasing the return of its classic firecracker-style logo, which was first used when the organisation was founded on December 18, 2022.

The logo, which resembles the shape of a smoke grenade, was part of M80’s early identity before being replaced by a new design in September 2024 as part of a broader refresh. That modernised version has now been retired, with the organisation deciding to embrace the visual style that originally made it stand out.

Fans quickly reacted with excitement, flooding M80’s posts with nostalgia, memes, and design ideas. “We’re back,” the org declared in a short teaser captioned #TheFuseIsLit, which quickly went viral across X (formerly Twitter).

Fans Help Shape the New Look

M80 has turned the rebrand into a full community moment. The org has already begun teasing a new line of merchandise, asking fans what they’d like to see next.

what merch should we cook up? 👀

— M80 💣 (@M80gg) October 13, 2025

From hoodies and beanies to more creative suggestions like mousepads, bottles shaped like the M80 logo, and even crossover ideas with other esports brands, fans were quick to jump in with enthusiasm. One fan commented, “Make a M80 Hall of Fame collection and release a Zander jersey,” while another added, “Hoodies with the new logo and caps, please.”

The organisation’s playful tone in responding to fans, complete with plenty of emojis and inside jokes, reinforces M80’s identity as a fan-driven brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

A Strong Year for M80 Esports

Despite a few setbacks, 2025 has been a busy and defining year for M80. Its Counter-Strike 2 roster continues to shine, currently ranked 37th in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). The team is set to compete at the StarLadder Budapest Major this November, their second Major appearance after debuting at BLAST.tv Austin 2025 earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, M80’s Rainbow Six roster is preparing for the BLAST R6 Major Munich 2025, with a spot at the Six Invitational 2026 on the line.

Earlier this year, M80 also partnered with AI coaching platform Omnic.AI, integrating cutting-edge data analysis tools to enhance player performance across its teams.

What’s Next for M80

Alongside its return to the classic logo, M80’s Vice President of Esports has hinted that the organisation may soon re-enter the VALORANT competitive scene, after exiting the Challengers ecosystem earlier this year.

If true, it could mark a major comeback for one of North America’s most talked-about esports brands.

A Nostalgic Refresh That Feels Right

With the classic logo back and the community rallying behind the rebrand, M80 seems to have reignited the same spark that helped launch its success in 2022.

As the team gears up for multiple Major appearances and potential new ventures, the timing couldn’t be better for M80 to remind everyone that its fuse is, once again, lit.

The post M80 Brings Back Its Classic Firecracker Logo in Nostalgic Rebrand appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The stage is set for the BLAST Open London 2025 playoffs, with six Counter-Strike 2 teams heading to the OVO Wembley Arena this weekend. After a week of qualifiers that saw some major names miss out, the bracket is now confirmed and promises a stacked few days of action.

BLAST’s London stop marks the 16th Tier 1 CS2 event of the season, with teams not only fighting for a trophy but also crucial Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. These points could decide who books their place at the next Major, adding extra weight to every match on the card.

The Playoff Contenders

Team Vitality
The French giants came through Group A as the top seed after wins over M80, GamerLegion, and FaZe Clan. While Vitality have looked a touch shaky in recent months, missing out on silverware at both BLAST Bounty Fall and the Esports World Cup, they remain a firm favourite to lift the trophy in London.

Spirit out
Mongolz missing

It’s time 👀 https://t.co/qfd3wskb6W pic.twitter.com/v18Uj8Uazy

— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) September 2, 2025

FURIA
Led by the legendary Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, FURIA look dangerous heading into the playoffs. The Brazilians took down Legacy and then swept aside Team Spirit before finishing off MOUZ with a 2-0 win. That run secured them a direct ticket to the semi-finals, and their momentum suggests they’re capable of going the distance.

MOUZ
The German side have been one of the most consistent teams of 2025, and London is no exception. After a rough loss to FURIA in the Group B final, MOUZ bounced back with key victories over Imperial and G2. They now face a dangerous opening quarter-final clash against M80.

M80
One of the biggest surprises of the qualifiers, M80 became the first North American side in 2025 to reach a Tier 1 playoff. Their wins over Virtus.pro, NAVI, and Fnatic turned heads and injected fresh hope into NA Counter-Strike. They’ll need another big performance to upset MOUZ, but their underdog story has already been a highlight.

FaZe Clan
With Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski making his debut, FaZe have shown signs of revival. They beat ECSTATIC and NAVI to secure their spot, and while they fell short against Vitality in overtime thrillers, the squad looked competitive against one of the world’s best. Their quarter-final meeting with G2 will be one of the weekend’s must-watch matchups.

G2 Esports
The final ticket to Wembley went to G2 after a dramatic lower bracket run. They took down Team Liquid and FlyQuest before eliminating Team Spirit in a decisive Ancient map, winning 13-1. With momentum on their side, G2 will look to spoil FaZe’s return to form.

Playoff Bracket and Schedule

The LAN finals kick off on Friday, 5 September, and run through to the grand final on Sunday, 7 September.

Quarter-finals (Friday, 5 September)

• MOUZ vs M80 – 20:30 NZT / 09:30 BST / 10:30 CEST
• FaZe Clan vs G2 Esports – 23:30 NZT / 12:30 BST / 13:30 CEST

Semi-finals (Saturday, 6 September – early Sunday NZT)

• Team Vitality vs MOUZ/M80 winner – 21:00 NZT / 10:00 BST / 11:00 CEST
• FURIA vs FaZe/G2 winner – 00:00 NZT (7 September) / 13:00 BST / 14:00 CEST

Grand Final (Sunday, 7 September)

• 21:00 NZT / 10:00 BST / 11:00 CEST

✅ Group Stage
🔜 Playoffs

Revealing the bracket as we get ready to head to the OVO Wembley Arena for the BLAST Open London PLAYOFFS! 🇬🇧 #BLASTPremier pic.twitter.com/Yrd8Y7SR6A

— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) September 1, 2025

With fan favourites, rising stars, and heavyweights all in the mix, the BLAST Open London 2025 playoffs are shaping up to be one of the most exciting CS2 tournaments of the year.

The post BLAST Open London 2025 Playoffs Bracket Locked In appeared first on Shane the Gamer.