Valorant is Counter-Strike Global Offensive’s New Esports Challenger
Valorant is Riot Games’ Ambitious First Person Shooter
The gaming industry is on a constant change and gaming genres that used to dominate the environment a decade ago are now falling from grace. Real-time strategy games have lost their appeal and were replaced by MOBAs as the preferred genre for esports enthusiasts.
Role-playing video games have morphed into MMORPGs, as single-player games, in general, are ceding their place in the spotlight to those based on multiplayer.
This trend transcends video gaming, with slot players moving to the Internet to take advantage of exclusive offers such as those available at casino online. As online interactions are sought after more than ever, FPS continues to thrive, and Riot Games’ Valorant is the latest challenger.
Why is the game Valorant Worth Considering?
Many new games are being released every year, and the paradox of choice overwhelms many new players. Being developed by Riot Games helps Valorant, as this developer is the driving force behind the most popular video game in esports.
A complete departure from the multiplayer online battle arena genre that made League of Legends famous, Valorant is a first-person shooter. Announced in October 2019 as “Project A” and released officially on June 2, 2020, after beta testing, was meant as a challenger to CS: GO.
Counter-Strike Global Offensive is the uncontested leader of the FPS genre, attracting most viewers and paying the biggest prizes. Valorant’s unique gameplay is a successful combination between CS: GO and Overwatch, Blizzard‘s take on first-person shooters.
Placing and defusing bombs is at the cornerstone of its gameplay, but the players’ unique abilities and ultimate skills help it stand out from the crowd. The extensive arsenal fosters many combinations of weapons and effectively adds a new layer of strategy.
Just like CS: GO, Valorant has several game modes, but one of them is used extensively in professional games. This is the Standard mode, where one team places the bomb and the other tries to defuse it before it explodes
. In competitive play, teams need to secure a two-round lead if they are tied at 12 to prevail, and they have the option to terminate a match in a draw. If they choose to keep playing, the two teams receive the same amount of money during the extra rounds, to level the playing field.
Valorant Teams and Esports Tournaments
Riot Games had high expectations from its latest addition and put its full weight behind the first-person shooter. The game was introduced to the esports arena, and the first tournaments were hosted by Twitch and ESPN, with a viewership that exceeded expectations.
As the original FPS gained further traction, the Ignition Series organised by Riot Games tournaments took precedence. These are competitions with higher prizes, therefore attract the most talented players and produce more hype around the game.
Valorant gained a lot of attention from the media and the fans as a new game, but there were few professional teams. The game is enjoyed worldwide, and the top teams have the headquarters in Europe and North America, but professional Counter-Strike and Overwatch players have migrated to these teams. The top contenders are Team SoloMid, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Immortals, Cloud9, Gen.G, 100 Thieves, Lazarus and Sentinels.
One of the biggest catalysts for Valorant came from an unlikely source, mainly the streamers broadcasting their games on Twitch. This is the most popular streaming platform in the world and the place where Riot Games was happy to promote its latest game.
Viewers continue to spend millions of hours watching the most popular streamers as they play Valorant in competitive matches. The records set during closed beta were surpassed, and the future looks bright as Valorant entered the esports arena.