Initial details for VALORANT esports unveiled

Riot Games Senior Director of Global Esports, Whalen “Magus” Rozelle revealed initial details regarding VALORANT esports. The developer hopes to see the esport develop naturally to fit the community’s needs.

Three pillars govern the structure of VALORANT esports, competitive integrity, accessibility, and authenticity. Together they will help grow an esport that will reward skill and teamwork, give all aspiring players an equal opportunity, and provide a unique experience that can’t be found elsewhere.

Riot looks forward to supporting third-party organizations in running tournaments for the game and has provided guidelines for these organizations to follow. The developer has already met with several esports organizations to share their plans and ideas for the game, which makes sense considering the way organizations like T1 and 100 Thieves are already taking the bull by the horns.

VALORANT tournaments will fall under one of three tiers:

• Small Tournaments: Community events with a maximum prize pool of $10,000. 

• Medium Tournaments: Esports organizations, influencers, middle-tier businesses, and brands, with a maximum prize pool of $50,000 per event. 

• Major Tournaments: Big esport leagues representing the global competitive ecosystem.

Riot’s VALORANT partnerships won’t only be with tournaments organizers and esport organizations, though. Players and content creators will also be a part of the developer’s focus to build the VALORANT ecosystem.

Judging by the ongoing closed beta, VALORANT shouldn’t have a shortage of willing partners, which could spur rapid growth for the budding new esport.