Controversy Surrounds Valorant Tournament at 2023 SEA Games, Resulting in Joint Gold Medalists
The recently concluded Valorant tournament at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia has been marred by controversy, as Singapore and Indonesia were declared joint gold medalists following a series of events. The tournament reached its climax during the best-of-three grand finals, with Singapore winning the first game and leading 10-4. However, Indonesia lodged an official complaint, alleging that Singapore had been exploiting a bug on Cypher’s cameras.
After reviewing the evidence, the tournament moderators agreed that Singapore had indeed exploited the bug. However, this information was not communicated to the Singaporean team.
There was a technical pause for several hours while the organizers discussed the situation. Ultimately, they decided to roll back the score to 5-5, indicating that Singapore had violated the rules. Despite this ruling, Indonesia chose to forfeit the match to “preserve their team’s dignity”. As a result, Singapore won the gold medal for the first time, and Indonesia settled for silver, although they lodged an official protest against the decision.
To find a compromise, the organizers proposed sharing the gold medals between the two teams. Both Singapore and Indonesia agreed to this arrangement, even though Singapore’s team expressed dissatisfaction and felt outnumbered by Indonesia’s contingent during the whole ordeal. Nevertheless, they accepted the decision and focused on the positive aspects of their overall campaign.
Fortnite Introduces Ranked System for Competitive Gameplay
Fortnite has finally settled the debate by implementing a ranked system into their gameplay. With the v24.40 patch, players can now turn on Ranked mode and embark on their journey to become the best Fortnite player. The new patch introduces Ranked Season Zero, which will last until the end of Chapter 4 Season 3.
Rank improvement will be based on the number of kills a player or team scores, with higher-value kills and placements at the end of the match contributing more to rank progression. Progress can be tracked through a progress bar, and team matchmaking will be determined by the highest-ranked player on the team.
The ranked system features eight categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, Champion, and Unreal. Bronze through Diamond are divided into three ranks each, while Elite, Champion, and Unreal consist of a single rank. Once a player reaches the Unreal rank, their rank remains unchanged, and they will be listed on the Unreal leaderboard with their placement displayed in-game.
The ranked system will be applicable to Solos, Duos, Squads, and Zero Build game modes. Fortnite players can now compete more competitively and strive for the top ranks in the game.
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brutal Murder with Pokémon Cards
Andrew Hague has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his neighbor, Simon Wilkinson, in Sheffield. The brutal attack, witnessed by shocked neighbors, involved the use of a bag filled with Pokémon cards and included punching and stamping. Hague has been given a minimum sentence of 17 years in jail.
During the court proceedings, Hague remorsefully admitted that he had “got carried away” and intentionally “tried to end [Wilkinson’s] life.” His defense barrister acknowledged his client’s mental illness but conceded that it did not qualify as a defense of diminished responsibility or insanity. Despite earlier statements, the illness was cited as a significant contributing factor in the tragic incident.
Judge Sarah Wright expressed condolences for Wilkinson’s family and recognized the trauma experienced by witnesses. She emphasized the dangers of cannabis use, particularly for individuals with complex mental health histories. The accused was recommended to be readmitted to a high-security psychiatric hospital for his well-being and the safety of others.
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