We’ll keep it short again today, letting you get back to the holiday spirit. Today’s Pixel P&L brings updates on ESL Faceit Group’s 2026 Counter-Strike 2 calendar, Sega’s exploration of a gaming subscription service, and other highlights.
ESL FACEIT Group has six Counter-Strike 2 tournaments for 2026, set between January and November. The events comply with Valve’s rule requiring 2026 tournaments to be disclosed by January 1, 2025. Event details, including locations and prize pools, remain undisclosed.
The 2026 schedule includes:
Earlier this year, ESL pledged $22 million for its Counter-Strike ecosystem in 2025 and 2026, featuring flagship events like IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne, alongside other ESL Pro Tour competitions. Further details on the 2026 events are expected soon.
Sega is considering launching its own video game subscription service, CEO Shuji Utsumi . The service would compete with platforms like Xbox Game Pass and EA Play. The announcement comes after Sega delisted several classic titles, including Sega Mega Drive Classics and Dreamcast Classics, from major digital storefronts.
The company is evaluating its options but has not disclosed specific plans. Utsumi described subscription models as “very interesting” and confirmed that Sega is exploring the potential of the approach. If implemented, Sega would join industry players like Xbox, Ubisoft and EA in offering its games through a subscription model.
Despite acquiring Angry Birds maker Rovio for $775 million last year, Sega has struggled to maintain its momentum. Utsumi acknowledged a loss of confidence within the company but expressed determination to restore its standing. “Now is not the time to be defensive but more offensive,” he said.
Esports World Cup Adds Crossfire to 2025 Lineup
The FPS Crossfire will join 18 featured titles at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, including Dota 2, Mobile Legends and Counter-Strike 2. It marks the game’s debut at the event.
Cartoon Network Delists Multiple Games Without Notice
The Warner Bros. Discovery division has several games from Steam and other platforms, including Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time and OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes. The delistings, noticed on SteamDB, lack explanation, marking another quiet content removal following Warner’s closure of Cartoon Network’s website earlier this year.
During the early development of FromSoftware’s biggest hit, the Elden Ring wasn’t a ring at all. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki that in discussions with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, the “Elden Ring” was initially a vague, abstract concept symbolizing the world’s foundational laws.
As the story evolved, FromSoftware transformed this idea into a more tangible representation: the shattered Elden Ring that governs the Golden Order, entwined with the Erdtree. Martin focused on the mythos, while Miyazaki and his team wove it into Elden Ring’s intricate gameplay and lore, creating the world players now explore.
