CLG Red has reentered Valorant with a new roster:

Although this roster is new, most of the players have played on signed teams and have a lot of experience competing. Mle, athxna, and dodonut competed on TSM X together, while it not han competed on Shopify Rebellion. 

Recently, the team won the HER Galaxy $10k Open against Misftis Black in a 2-0 fashion. It'll be interesting to see how they will do in VCT Game Changers NA.

New CLG Red Valorant roster debuts at GalaxyHER $10k Open

Whether you’re a graphic designer or an art enthusiast, there are many opportunities in the gaming industry where you can showcase your talents. And who knows, some of those opportunities may even prove lucrative. However, with the industry's growing popularity, standing out is the most important task when looking for job opportunities.

In this article, we’ll offer some tips on building and improving your portfolio and promoting exposure in the art sphere of the gaming community.

If you have a passion for graphic design or drawing and are looking for ways to get into the esports industry, you can rest assured that there are plenty of ways to turn your passion into a living.

Freelancing is the best and easiest way to make a name for yourself. It allows you to fill up your resume, improves your skills, and gives you a chance to find your niche. You can start with more straightforward jobs like designing social media banners and, with time, move on to bigger projects. Many aspiring artists start on platforms like 

, where you can easily find job listings and offer your own services, despite being a beginner. Besides the monetary incentive, this is a fantastic way to build expertise in graphic design.

Another way to get your name out there is to offer free services at first. This is a great way to build a portfolio that you can show to your first clients. Posting on platforms like Twitter and Instagram can also boost your following and help you in building your reputation as an artist.

The most important thing is to be persistent in reaching your goals. Focus on improving your own set of skills by actively seeking out smaller job listings.

The power of networking should never go unrecognized. Not only does it prove useful when looking for new jobs, but it’s also a fantastic way to learn more about your chosen career path.

If you’re looking to establish a name and brand for yourself, having a “safety net” of contacts you can rely on is especially important. Besides networking the old-fashioned way, you can also focus on your online presence by talking and attending events. Many established artists had their breakthroughs thanks to social media, which primarily favors visual media. Ways to improve your social media presence include compiling all your best work in one platform, online gallery, or your own website. Many graphic designers trying to form an audience can also benefit from filming video tutorials of their work process. Though this step may seem unnecessary, it helps get attention in the online world, which can always result in more contacts being added to your network.

Online exposure generates more interest, making you stand out while searching for jobs. The biggest trick to generate more interest is staying consistent with posting your art. Networking with fellow artists on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn will help you stay updated on new job opportunities.

In the art world, building your portfolio is a crucial step to finding future employment.

Your portfolio can help you instantly highlight your talents and experience, so it’s important to be careful while compiling it. Future employers will be looking for someone creative and unique, so make sure your portfolio speaks for itself. It’s always best to showcase your most recent work and aim to highlight a variety of different design projects. Another thing future employers might be looking for is a general interest in game art and character design, so make sure your portfolio is well-rounded and serves as the best possible presentation of your passion and skills.

Try to choose work that best highlights your unique style and shows that you know what type of design is popular at the time.

One tip from professional graphic designers to beginners in the field is to build a website or online gallery. Not only does this make you look more professional, but it is also a fantastic way to increase exposure and bring in more job opportunities.

 is the leading showcase platform for games, film, media, and entertainment artists. ArtStation’s free basic plan lets you showcase your portfolio, create a website, and sell prints and digital products on their marketplace. It can also serve as an excellent point of reference. By browsing the trending page or various art channels, you can get a surprisingly good look into what type of art is currently popular or in demand. In keeping up with the trends, you can keep your own portfolio up to date. Every future employer will be looking for someone who keeps up with the trends and cultivates a unique style.

Browsing other people’s art can surprisingly make your art better as well. One trick experienced designers use is trying to recreate and learn techniques they’ve seen in other people’s art. This will help you get familiar with new techniques, improve your skills, and even form your own unique style.

In conclusion, trying to build a career as a graphic designer in the esports industry requires a lot of patience and constant work on improving your skills. Whether you’re an inexperienced designer looking to get into the industry, or an established professional, these tips are helpful for everyone trying to build their career and land new gigs.

The most important element is your portfolio, no matter of expertise. Make sure it‘s well organized, and put your most recent work at the beginning. Showcase a variety of different projects to showcase your skills and style. And the most important tip – you are always presenting the absolute best of your work.

How to get a job in esports as a graphic designer

Complexity GX3 announced its new roster with some familiar, but also some new players:

Complexity GX3 has a new look! 

Kickstarting a career in streaming is easy, create an account, set up the software, and boom, you're good. But, attracting viewers is a tall order. So, if you're a gaming streamer looking to grow, these are the best games to stream on Twitch.

In 2023, streamers are earning top dollars from broadcasting their favorite games. According to 

, expert streamers can make between $3,000 to $5,000 each month, playing around 40 hours a week. Twitch does keep a 50% cut, which might lead you to 

. But if you want to work in a community of gamers, Twitch is the way to go! But it's no longer easy to blow up on Twitch. In the herd of streamers, your content has to stand out.

Jumping into gaming streaming without thought is never a good idea. Having a niche, tone, and plan for your channel to grow durably is best. Besides having excellent conversation skills and a likable personality, you must pick your game smartly. But how do you find the best game to stream on Twitch?

How to choose a game to stream on Twitch?

There are two ways to set the tone for your new Twitch channel. To become a variety streamer, you must turn on the notifications of popular Twitch streamers and their channels. Stay in touch with what's hot and jump on the trend. An excellent example is Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter and Among Us. There came the point when the YouTuber became synonymous with the insanely popular game Among Us. The trick is to jump on a fad early on and capitalize on it. If one trend doesn't work for you, the next will! You can also find out what's hot on Twitch's monthly most popular game list. The numbers should tell you that it's time to switch the game.

However, it's worth noting that being a variety streamer requires patience. You're basically jumping into a big crowd of Twitch heavy-lifters. Getting noticed in the herd is no picnic, and that's where your personality jumps in. A popular game can get you the viewers, but it's your job to retain their interest! While most streamers in 2023 aim to create content around multiple games, picking a niche is fine. But it's essential to choose your niche games smartly.

Here are some of the best games to stream on Twitch in 2023 based on popularity and durability.

GTA V Grand Theft Auto is as old as gaming itself, and the latest installments and their popularity continue to prove that GTA will remain a staple in the gaming community. The game itself is fun to watch and play, but the community has added a roleplaying twist that makes it the perfect game to stream on Twitch.

GTA Roleplay servers took over the Twitch streaming community in 2021, drawing the interest of the likes of Félix “xQc” Lengyel, Imane “Pokimane” Anys, Valkyrae, and more. While many have moved on from the game, it boasts a solid viewership in 2023. The Roleplay servers allow players to get creative with their ideas and storylines, making the audience hooked to each and every stream. So if you manage to jot down a good story, you may be able to get a stable count of viewers on regular streams!

Animal Crossing is another game that refuses to blow up or die on Twitch. It has a consistent player base and is the go-to game of top streamers like Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Michelle Siragusa, Pokimane, Miss Rage, and more. If you're looking to be that chill streamer where players hop in to chat and have a good time, this is the game. You can also set a comfy aesthetic for your camera, which may attract a larger audience. Get a nice pastel overlay, soft music, grab a blanket and stream Animal Crossing for those who want a break from the noise.

Valorant is the latest in the list of best games to stream on Twitch, but it has booked a slot for all the good reasons. Besides having a solid esports system, Valorant's community is strong on other social media platforms, which makes it easy for deserving streamers to grow. How, may you ask? For example, if you hit a stellar shot or spot a game-breaking bug, it's pretty easy to get noticed on Twitter and Reddit, leading players to your Twitch channel.

Besides visibility, Valorant is just fun to watch. In 2023, the game has a massive fan base on Twitch that is always on the hunt for good talent. If you're an ace aimer, blowing up in the Valorant community shouldn't be too difficult.

League of Legends is evergreen on Twitch. It was rated the top game in terms of viewers in 2022, meaning there's a large audience looking for new creators to follow. Just in January, the game had 95,334,278 peak viewers. But again, standing out among popular streamers can be challenging. So, you may want to have excellent gaming skills, attractive titles, and a good personality.

You can also take a new approach with popular games. For example, hitting the highest rank with a certain champion you're good at. Such challenges are great at piquing players' interest, leading to the slow but healthy growth of your small Twitch channel.

COD: Warzone is an old game, but it's still fresh as new, thanks to streamers like Dr Disrespect, who refuses to give up on the FPS despite his criticisms. Activision also ensures players have new things to look forward to by rolling out consistent updates. In terms of viewership, Warzone boasts a decent fanbase that welcomes skilled players with open arms.

Best Twitch stream-friendly games to attract viewers

Gaming can be a fun and exciting way to escape the stresses of everyday life. However, it can also be a source of stress in and of itself, particularly when trying to achieve a high level of performance. The pressure to succeed can often lead to frustration, anxiety, and other negative emotions that can affect your ability to perform at your best.

So know that you're not alone if you ever have anxiety while playing video games. Many people find video games to be anxiety-inducing, even when they’re desperately trying to relax. It can be the dreadful feeling of failing to complete a game, the disappointment in letting their teammates down during multiplayer gameplay, or loneliness when playing solo.

Set smaller, healthier goals. One of the biggest sources of stress in gaming is the pressure to achieve unrealistic goals. It's important to set goals that are challenging but also attainable. This will help you stay motivated and focused without feeling overwhelmed.

While it can be hard, thinking of smaller tasks you want to accomplish in your video games can reduce your anxiety.

Stress can also be caused by factors outside of gaming, such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep. A healthy and balanced lifestyle helps reduce day-to-day stress. Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, avoid alcohol and drugs, and eat a balanced diet.

, as it can be a powerful tool for reducing stress while gaming. By staying focused on the present moment, you can reduce the distracting thoughts that can lead to stress and anxiety.

Taking breaks is an important part of reducing stress while gaming. Playing for an extended time makes it easy to become tired and overwhelmed. Taking short breaks can help you recharge and refocus, allowing you to perform at your best. Watch some games instead; it’s said that “watching others play can actually bring someone’s stress levels down, provide entertainment, and help them learn new skills.”

Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help you reduce stress while gaming. These techniques can help you calm your mind and body, allowing you to stay focused and in control.

This is one of those tips that always bothered me the most. Being told all the time to “think positive” can be very unpleasant when your anxiety mostly rules your head, but as time passed, I realized that there is something right in “being positive.”

Maintain a positive attitude, and focus on believing in yourself. “You can do this, you have done this, and you will do this.” Playing in despair leads to poor performance because negative attitudes yield adverse outcomes.

It's a very difficult mentality to achieve, but it's important to take it one step at a time.

Gaming can be solitary, but it doesn't have to be solitary. Connecting with other gamers can help reduce stress and improve your performance. Play what you like with friends, and lean into social communication. Search for a community in Discord or Twitch that fits you to reduce that feeling of being alone.

This doesn’t mean that solo gaming is the cause of gaming anxiety. It may be the other way around. It’s all about knowing yourself.

Stress can harm your in-game performance, but it doesn't have to be always that way. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the game and have fun!

How to reduce stress to improve your in-game performance

Cypher is considered one of the best defensive anchors in the game. His information-gathering abilities are unmatched by any agent in the game. Information gathering is one of the key ingredients to winning a round, and Cypher is the best agent to do so. This guide will help you understand what to keep in mind when defending and attacking with Cypher.

Instantly toss the cyber cage in front of Cypher. Activate to create a zone that blocks vision and slows enemies who pass through it.



Cyber Cage can be used mainly at entry points and at certain height levels on the wall to produce one-way smokes.

This ability can be set before or during a round. It can be used to help push, obscure a site that has been taken, or to cover your team while you rotate out of danger. Detonating on command, either by the line of sight or by Spycam, can cause the enemy team to hesitate. This ability can also obscure your Trapwires and other allies’ snares.

On offense, Cyber Cages can be helpful as they dampen the sound when inside the cage. This can allow you to sprint and jump without giving away any information to the other team. However, Cyber Cage is open at the top, so be careful of enemies that can see you from a higher vantage point, as they will still be able to see your team's movements.

Equip a Spycam. Fire to place the spycam at the targeted location. Reuse this ability to take control of the camera’s view. While in control of the camera. Fire to shoot a marking dart. This dart will reveal the location of any player struck by the dart.



This ability is used mainly to scout without risk. It’s Cypher’s free ability that can be used multiple times during the round. It is better to aim the placement on higher walls so you can view the enemy from a higher vantage point they will have difficulty aiming at.

You can retract your Spycam if you misfire, and the cooldown will only be fifteen seconds if retracted. If an enemy destroys it, the cooldown will be forty-five seconds.

Check long corridors and try to use the ability to discern which point is safe to push. Spycam’s best feature is that it will always give you an eye on the site, and if it is shot down, you can at least determine where the enemy is pushing. Sometimes it will be better to use the Spycam without the tracking dart so it can remain unnoticed. This will allow you to call out the exact position for a retake or push a position the enemy thought was secure.

Equip a Trapwire. Fire to place a destructible and covert tripwire at the target location creating a line between the chosen location and the opposite wall. Enemy players will be tethered, revealed, and dazed after a short period if they do not destroy the device in time. This ability can be redeployed.

This is used mainly to gather information or sometimes completely restrain players from entry. This ability pairs well with Cypher’s Cyber Cage because the cage will obscure the enemy’s line of sight. Placing a cage on the Trapwire to activate when someone is caught can guarantee an easy pick. Enemies can shoot it if they’re quick enough. However, if they focus the Trapwire you can catch them off guard for a quick pick. Even if they don’t shoot it, they will still be stunned and easier to manage.

While this is a good tool for defensive plays, it can also help with offense by preventing flankers from coming up behind you via routes with less cover. It can also help lock down a bomb site after you have planted, making an enemy entry that much more difficult.

Instantly use on a dead enemy player in your crosshairs to reveal the location of all living enemy players.

This ability can ping an enemy's last known location briefly. This is a valuable offensive and defensive play that can turn the tide when you are in a pinch. While timing this ultimate is not always doable as it relies on finding a deceased agent, we recommend using it immediately.

The more information you can provide to your team, the better! It can turn a losing round into a win by showing you where the enemies are, which can tell you where to push or where to avoid.

Spycam is used mainly to scout ahead without risk. Try to find placements that can be hidden from the enemy

Cyber Cage can be focused on entry points and certain height levels on the wall to produce one-way smokes

Trapwire is mainly for gathering information, but it can be used to restrain players from entry

Neural Theft can briefly gather precise information that could secure a round

Valorant is a game built on information, and that is what makes Cypher such a great agent. With his Trapwire and Cyber Cage abilities, he can slow enemies and catch them off guard. With his Spycam ability, he can keep an eye on a site or mark an enemy, and with his Neural Theft ability, he can get precise information on the enemy's whereabouts. If you want to be the team’s information gatherer, we recommend trying your hand at Cypher. He specializes in locking down sites with a mix of traps and smokes, and his information gathering would be a welcome asset to any team.

Introduction to Cypher's abilities - Valorant beginner's guide

The video game business is booming, and with it comes the need for more trained talent. Inspired by market demands, schools and colleges worldwide have implemented programs educating the next generation of Game Developers. But these courses are still a novelty compared to traditional law, medicine, or marketing degrees. So, what is it like to study Game Development?

I spoke to my friend Alina, a second-year game Game Development student specializing in Game Art. She shared her unique experiences in her degree, her biggest challenges, her learnings, and more!

How to get into a Game Development program?

Alina began her degree in Fall 2021 at a Finnish University of Applied Sciences. Since childhood, she's had a great passion for drawing. For example, she's the creator of a horse roleplaying community based on drawn horses. She writes stories about the horses' life and background and hosts horse competitions. Alina's also been a gamer since childhood and was curious to explore how her favorite games are brought to life.

Towards the end of high school, she considered studying for a degree related to 3D modeling and game creation. Her mother then pointed her toward her current program, which she had discovered on a website listing Finnish degree programs.

Since Alina applied to a Finnish university, her application process followed standard Finnish guidelines: She had to either achieve high grades during her final high school examination or pass an entrance exam held by the university. Due to the unique structure of her degree, no art portfolio was required.

What does a Game Development degree look like?

The official name of Alina's degree is "Business Information Systems." After 3.5 years, she'll graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration. You may be surprised that this doesn't sound like an art degree. So, let's have a detailed look at this degree program!

Alina's school accepts about 90 students per year who study basic business, and IT subjects during their first year. This phase features courses, such as 

, taught in Finnish. The first year focuses on a more theoretical teaching style with multiple exams and only a few practical assignments.

At the end of the first year, all students have to participate in a big group assignment. Different groups are tasked with creating a small game. In Alina's case, this was an endless running game on mobile. Based on this project, students choose between three degree paths:

The Game Development path is further divided into 

. From this point onward, members of each path study separately unless courses overlap. Moreover, the teaching language changes to English to reflect the international job market and working environment. The students are also taught by international teachers. The second phase of the degree contains more practice. There are no exams, and all projects are completed in groups. Once again, this is done to authentically represent the conditions of the work world.

In its final year, the program features a mandatory internship. Students can complete the internship in one go by working continuously for six months. Or they can have two internships of three months each. Finding an internship spot relevant to one's study path is recommended. However, the university knows how challenging it can be to find internship places in Game Design. Therefore, all kinds of practical training are allowed as long they benefit the student's career.

What kind of courses, assignments, and skills are part of a Game Development degree?

According to her study path in Game Art, Alina has the following courses:

Game Project 2 (To create another video game)

She adds that it feels like the program expects Game Art students to have previous art knowledge. There are only a few courses on art basics, such as working with Photoshop. Instead, the courses prioritize the technical expertise required to be a successful Game Artist, like using Unity. Alina recommends starting out with an Arts and Media degree for art newcomers. This program equips students with basic art knowledge related to drawing, photography, and more. As an Arts and Media student, it’s then still possible to join Game Art courses.

Alina has to complete several practical assignments throughout her studies. Big game projects are supplemented with many small tasks to help her learn through repetition. For instance, she's had to 3D model a snowman and different sceneries.

All of this has taught Alina valuable skills. For example, she says she now understands the critical role of teamwork and communication in Game Development. Without these, it would be impossible for the many functions involved in Game Development to coordinate their work and create a final, coherent product. On top of that, she's learned technical skills and which resources and steps are required to make video games.

What does a day in the life of a Game Development student look like?

Alina has two or three lectures per week. Some of them are remote, and some of them are at her campus. On a fully-remote day, she'll usually wake up before her lecture and get ready for her day. Her classes tend to go from 9am to 3pm, with a few breaks for lunch and unwinding. During this time, she's on a call with her teacher and a maximum of 20 classmates. However, attending the lectures isn't mandatory, and they're recorded for later usage. That's why many of her peers don't attend all lessons.

The lectures are structured to allow students to practice alongside their teacher's instructions. Alina says she usually tries to execute the teacher's exact steps. If she struggles with something, she can always ask the teacher for help, who will then take a break to look at her problem. After the lesson, she works on school assignments, does chores and, of course, plays games.

Days without lectures are meant for independent work on assignments. She'll then, for example, meet with her study group to discuss the features and design choices for their next game project.

What are the challenges of studying Game Development?

Alina told me that she sometimes doubts her own skills and art. She worries that her work might live up to industry standards. She certainly isn't alone with this, as many gaming and esports professionals struggle with Imposter Syndrome. If you feel like you're not good enough to make it as a Game Development student, check out our previous article on 

dealing with Imposter Syndrome in the gaming industry

Another challenge Alina has encountered during her studies is aligning her art style with that of other artists to create coherent art. This is necessary to meet a game's unique art style. Finally, Alina finds it challenging to manage her time well and motivate herself to work consistently. She says that her degree necessitates the ability to work independently on assignments.

For her, the most difficult courses were Mathematics, Databases, and Information Networks.

What is the best part about studying Game Development?

Alina loves Game Development not only because of her passion for games. She also loves that she gets to work in a steadily evolving field that pushes her to learn new things. On top of that, she's already met many kind and talented peers she loves working with.

Do Game Development students receive career guidance?

In Alina's degree, students can participate in webinars about working in the gaming industry. However, most of the career guidance happens informally. For example, her teachers have work experience in gaming and know what's sought-after in the industry. They encourage students to:

Network with peers on social media and at industry events,

In addition, the study environment is quite supportive. Teachers and students assist each other in progressing in their studies and careers. They're also part of a Discord server, and students can ask for career advice on Discord anytime.

What comes after a Game Development degree?

Alina admits she's worried about working in a field as volatile as gaming. Moreover, she's concerned by the often questionable working conditions exposed by the media. Alina explains that she loves helping people and that she doesn't want her kindness and her passion for games to be exploited. However, she can see herself working for a small game developer after graduation, where she can feel appreciated for her contributions.

Everyone's gaming journey is unique. I recommend doing extensive research and gathering diverse opinions before choosing a career path. But I hope Alina's insights have helped you find out if Game Development is something for you! Alina's dream as a Game Artist is to work on a big project, such as Red Dead Redemption, or make a realistic horse-riding game. And just as much as I believe in her dream, I believe in yours!

If you need more career resources or have your own story to tell, shoot me a direct message on 

Studying Game Development: What it's like and what it takes

Raidiant and Ally are excited to announce Ally Women's Open in partnership with Rocket League esports!

Ally Women's Open is a $40,000 women's Rocket League tournament. $20,000 will go to the North American bracket, and the other $20,000 to the European.

“Investment in all sports, including esports, has long been biased towards men’s competition. To address this inequity, we’ve made a pledge to reach equal media spend across men’s and women’s sports over the next five years because we believe there should be a level playing field for all athletes – whether on the field, the racetrack, or in gaming,” said Bridget Sponsky, executive director of brand and partnerships at Ally. “This sponsorship gives us a way to engage with the fans and players of a massively popular industry, while providing increased exposure and income opportunities for the incredibly talented female competitors.”

This is a huge event for the women's Rocket League scene. Be sure to tune in on March 25th and 26th on Rocket League's official Twitch. And if you'd like to partcipate, 

Raidiant to host Ally Women's Open, a $40k Rocket League tournament

FASTCUP FEMALE is hosting a $2k CS:GO women's tournament on March 4th and 5th. Participants must be based in EU. Here is the breakdown of the prize pool:

To sign-up, click on the Twitter link below!


FASTCUP FEMALE announces CS:GO tournament Aurora

ESL Impact is starting up again in multiple regions with March 8, 2023. Here are the teams competing:



More information about the schedule, stream, and teams can be found on 

DazedDreams

Complexity GX3 has a new look!

Complexity GX3 has a new look!

New CLG Red Valorant roster debuts at GalaxyHER $10k Open

How to get a job in esports as a graphic designer

Best Twitch stream-friendly games to attract viewers

How to reduce stress to improve your in-game performance