2021 is a giant yr for aggressive Valorant, with developer Riot kicking off an bold, yearlong esports circuit known as the Valorant Champions Tour. However the firm can also be seeking to make the scene extra various with a separate competitors known as VCT Recreation Changers, which it says will “create aggressive alternatives for ladies and marginalized genders inside Valorant.”
This system will embrace a collection of “high tier” competitions all through 2021, however maybe extra essential is an academy collection designed to foster new expertise. Right here’s how Riot describes it:
The VCT Recreation Changers Academy program will host month-to-month tournaments, giving gamers much more alternatives to compete on the semi-pro and grassroots degree. Academy occasions might be organized in partnership with GALORANTs, one of many largest communities inside Valorant. GALORANTs beforehand helped manage the “For the Girls Summer season Showdown” match in September 2020. Each the VCT Recreation Changers Sequence and Academy will assist construct the subsequent era of leaders who aspire to succeed with the aggressive Valorant neighborhood.
Girls-centric esports competitions aren’t a new phenomenon, because the scene remains to be largely male-dominated throughout the most important video games, whether or not it’s League of Legends, Overwatch, or Fortnite. However as a comparatively new sport, having launched final yr, Valorant is in a doubtlessly good place to domesticate a extra various participant base. Actually, there are already constructive indicators; when esports group Evil Geniuses entered the skilled Valorant scene, it did so with a mixed-gender roster.
“Competing in video games as a girl is usually a daunting job, oftentimes leading to a really actual aggressive drawback,” Valorant govt producer Anna Donlon mentioned in a press release. “Whereas we’re addressing this problem in-game, with enhancements to talk, voice communications, and mitigation of griefing, we additionally see a chance to take one other step with esports.”
Riot says this system might be a “year-long effort.”
