Since its initial launch in June 2020, Valorant has soared in global popularity and acquired almost 12 million players. This free, tactical first-person shooter game, developed and published by Riot Games, instantly became a favorite in the gaming community for its immersive world-building, unique characters, and dynamic game modes.
Rise in Popularity
Valorant has also become one of the most popular competitive Esports in the world, with The Game Awards naming it ‘Esport of the Year’ in 2022. As the world of competitive video gaming continues to grow, garnering over 500 million global viewers last year, it takes a carefully crafted, unique, and highly competitive game to stand the test of time in Esports development.
What makes Valorant a worthy contender, and how will new features this year help it stay relevant in an ever-changing Esports environment?
How It Works
Set in a futuristic world that is similar to Earth, this tactical shooter gameplay also involves some role-playing. Two teams of five agents, the attackers, and the defenders, compete against one another using their character’s unique abilities and ammunition. Every round of the game begins with one pistol and one particular ability, with players having the opportunity to purchase more using in-game currency.
After choosing their desired agent, attackers are required to plant a bomb and defend it until it detonates, and defenders are tasked with locating and neutralizing the bomb. The first team to win thirteen rounds wins the tournament.
The objectives seem simple, but nine dynamic game modes create greater complexity: Unrated, Competitive, Swift Play, Deathmatch, Escalation, Spike Rush, Replication, Premier, and Snowball Fight.
Why Gamers Love It
Its first major tournament, the Ignition Series, was held in July 2022 and offered winners a combined prize of over $1 million. This helped Riot Games solidify the game as a serious Esports contender, and many tuned in around the world to watch their favorite teams compete throughout the season for the title.
Not only can the competing teams win significant monetary prizes, but Valorant’s franchising system is also critical to its global eSporting success. The franchising model introduced for Riot Games in 2023 allows teams to become permanent partners in the league. This creates a more professional and stable environment for competing teams and a more consistent watching experience for fans.
Riot Games was incredibly strategic when creating the marketing for Valorant during the lead-up to the game’s initial launch. By partnering with Twitch and getting some of the most popular Twitch streamers to play the game before its release date, Riot Games successfully created quite a hype around the game before it was even available to purchase or download.
The only way to gain early access to the game was to watch these top streamers playing the game on Twitch and hope to receive an email granting pre-release access. Because of this clever marketing strategy, gamers were itching to get their hands on Valorant as soon as it launched to the public.
Another reason this game has been a hit for players and viewers alike is its newness. Advancements in gaming technology, visuals, and world-building mean that Valorant can improve upon older games of its type, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Colors are brighter, layouts seem more realistic, and characters are more detailed and interesting. The agents display distinct styles and abilities that make them relevant to different regions of the world, a feature that’s unique to Valorant.
Betting with Valorant is incredibly easy and user-friendly, and it has more online betting options than its competitor games. Viewers can place bets on the match winner, map winner, tournament winner, spike plant, first blood, and characters. There is, of course, also the live betting option.
What’s New in 2023
While Valorant’s success shows no signs of slowing down, Riot Games is still eager to capitalize on its popularity and update the game with new features and exciting additions. In 2023, the company plans to introduce three regional leagues featuring teams from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. This will help align Valorant with the structure of League of Legends, Game Riot’s other widely popular competitive Esport. The introduction of regional leagues means that top teams will be able to go head-to-head in a grand world championship.
The new game model will incorporate long-term partnerships to support the long-term stability of the game’s popularity, as well as no entry fees. Qualifying teams will receive an annual stipend from Riot Games and the opportunity to collaborate on new in-game products, features, and activations.
Riot Games is also developing a new in-game mode to identify the best gaming talent worldwide. It is uncertain when this new mode will be added, but it promises to create an even more competitive ecosystem for Valorant fans.
In a highly competitive but incredibly lucrative Esports ecosystem, Valorant shows every sign of growing from strength to strength. Its unique characterization and dynamic game modes create an enthralling gaming experience for competing players and viewers. Its franchising system offers both stability and financial security for teams, and the game’s competitive integrity aims to continuously create a level playing field where every gamer has a chance to compete and improve.
Enthusiasts are hopeful that new changes will develop an even more engaging and entertaining viewing and playing experience for Esports fans.