Hot Takes

In this episode, Lee, Davide, and Ethan catch up on the latest stories, including EMEA Masters' baffling scheduling and Los Ratones potentially skipping the tournament altogether, Faker's 4-year extension with T1, and Ethan's bizarre take on MKOI's LEC playoff chances. The trio also discuss the outcome of Riot's VCT tier two investigation into allegations of match fixing a...

For more Hot Tier 1 esports news, as soon as it spawns, check out https://hotspawn.com for the latest in CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, Fortnite and more.

In this episode, Lee, Davide, and Nick look back on a memorable Mid-Season Invitational, discussing the outcome of the tournament as well as Nick's experience working the event, invterviewing Faker, and his bizzare encounter on the trip home. The trio also discuss the Esports World Cup, looking back at Team Heretics' long-awaited grand final win and previewing the event's League of...

Patrick sat down with to talk all things Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025. 

In this episode, Lee, Davide, and Nick go over the first few days of the Mid-Season Invitational, including G2's struggles and if BrokenBlade has been the worst players so far in the tournament. The trio also go over the stunning move from Fnatic to replace Humanoid with Poby, and whether the reaction to the change was warranted. Stories discussed: https://www.hotspawn.com/league-of-legends/n...

Sophie and Dan are back for the breakdown of the BLAST.tv Austin Major and rostermania - brought to you by the Thunderpick World Championship!  | For more Hot Tier 1 esports news, as soon as it spawns, check out https://hotspawn.com for the latest in CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, Fortnite and more. https://www.hotspawn.com/counter-strike/news/cs2-roster-changes https://www.hotspawn.com...

In this episode, Lee, Ethan, and Davide reveal their power rankings for MSI 2025, going through each position and selecting the best players before explaining which are the top sides at the tournament overall. Stories discussed: https://www.hotspawn.com/valorant/news/paper-rexs-vct-toronto-win-ends-years-of-hurt https://www.hotspawn.com/valorant/news/vct-toronto-viewership https://www.hotspawn.com...

In this episode, Lee, Davide, Ethan, and special guest Nick join to discuss the newly-revealed League of Legends Game Changers equivalent, the insane ending to the LTA North final between FlyQuest and Cloud9, and why on earth there is no winner in the LCK.

Dan's pick 'ems struggle is almost at an end - join him and Sophie for a look ahead at the BLAST.tv Austin Major playoffs! | For more Hot Tier 1 esports news, as soon as it spawns, check out https://hotspawn.com for the latest in CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, Fortnite and more.

Join Sophie as she chastises Dan for his BLAST.tv Austin Major pick 'ems recommendations :D | For more Hot Tier 1 esports news, as soon as it spawns, check out https://hotspawn.com for the latest in CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, Fortnite and more.

In this episode, Lee, Davide, and Ethan review MKOI's historic LEC final win against G2 and the addition of NA's Jojopyun to the illustrious list of LEC-winning mid laners. The trio also discussed Perkz' retirement and his impact on European league, and whether it's fair to caveat his career against his less successful latter years. Stories discussed: https://www.hotspawn.com/v...

In this episode, Lee, Davide, and Ethan preview Masters Toronto - with a brutal Team Liquid prediction - discuss the latest VALORANT developer update, and talk VALORANT mobile. On the League of Legends agenda is Los Ratones and a brainstorm as to where they go next, LEC top four and a call back to Ethan's Fnatic prediction, as well as a discussion around Uzi's addition to the Hall of Fam...

Join Sophie and Dan on their journey through the BLAST.tv Austin Major pick 'ems, match ups and the story of that one time Sophie made the worst timing error of her career in Copenhagen. Check out Dan's pick 'ems here: https://www.hotspawn.com/counter-strike/news/best-cs2-pickems-for-blast-tv-austin-major-2025

This week, join Lee, David, and Ethan as they give their thoughts on the LEC All-Pro voting scandal that's led to calls for a complete change to the voting process. They also discuss the current storylines in the LPL and LCK, as well as offering their takes on the emerging match-fixing allegations in VALORANT's tier 2 Stories discussed: https://x.com/LEC/status/1925914621887549689 https:...

This week, join Sophie and Dan for yet another episode where we talk about Vitality winning yet another tournament. But this time, we have the added flavour from Valve buying Cache and dropping the Austin Major pick 'ems out of nowhere. IEM Dallas footage credit: ESL Dan's Major pick 'ems: https://www.hotspawn.com/counter-strike/news/best-cs2-pickems-for-blast-tv-austin-major-2025 

Join Editor in Chief Sophie McCarthy and Counter-Strike expert Dan Morris for episode 8 of Hot Takes where we're talking all things PGL Astana and IEM Dallas.  Hotspawn is proud to announce our media partnership with the Thunderpick World Champions - full details here: https://www.hotspawn.com/counter-strike/news/hotspawn-secures-partnership-with-thunderpick-world-championship-2025 

Welcome to the 7th episode of Hot Takes ft. Lee Jones as the host, joined by League of Legends write Davide 'Dovi' Xu. This week, the duo, with input from fellow LoL writer Ethan Cohen, decide Hotspawn's official votes for the LEC Spring 2025 MVP and All-Pro awards. The duo also reveal an exclusive comment from Riot on the VCT EMEA scheduling issues which had been brandished a &quot...

Welcome to the 6th episode of Hot Takes ft. Lee Jones as the host, joined by fellow VALORANT writer, and producer Andrew Ogunnaike. This week, the duo goes over their thoughts the recent League of Legends Spanish road trip, cover the loss of shushei, and the retiring of Govenor and Flor. This is the most turbulent time for VALORANT's Tier 1. Articles discussed: https://www.hotspawn.com/valora...

Welcome to the 5th episode of Hot Takes ft. Lee Jones as the host, joined by fellow League of Legends writers, Davide Xu and Ethan Cohen. This week, the gang goes over their thoughts on the current state of the LEC, LCK and LPL and their thoughts on who should be in the League Hall of Fame Articles discussed: https://www.hotspawn.com/league-of-legends/news/what-is-wrong-with-t1 https://www.hotspaw...

Welcome to the 4th episode of Hot Takes ft. our Editor in Chief - Sophie McCarthy, and guests Lee Jones and Daniel Morris. This week, the gang goes over Astralis' journey to fumbing their 5th Major in a row, and the hottest of dramas happening in VALORANT.

Welcome to the 3rd episode of Hot Takes ft. our Editor in Chief - Sophie McCarthy, and guest Patrick Bonifacio. This week, the duo goes over ESL Raleigh teams and meta, Patrick tries to guess 10 uncontested heroes at the event and Sophie rants about calling heroes the correct names.

Welcome to the 2nd episode of Hot Takes ft. our Editor in Chief - Sophie McCarthy, and guests Patrick Bonifacio and Daniel Morris. This week, the gang goes over some roster concerns for ESL Raleigh and PGL Bucharest. Why is Gabe Newell's Golden Child operating so differently to CS2?

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Hotspawn Podcast - Hot Takes ft. Our Editor in Chief - Sophie McCarthy, and guests Lee Jones and Daniel Morris. This week, Dan thinks Vitality's win streak will be over soon, Lee rants about VALORANT abilities and Sophie can't pronounce "Rekkles".