Since the launch ofValorantlast year, Riot Games has been hard at work trying to build theValorantcompetitive esports scene. While Riot Games is familiar with the esports scene throughLeague of Legends, it hopes to haveValorantjoin the ranks of other big esports leagues likeCounter-Strike,Call of Duty,Overwatch. As part of its plan to expand the competitive player base of the game, Riot Games has launched the VCT Game Changers Program with the aim to support women players.
League of Legendsmay be Riot’s crown jewel, especially when it comes to esports, butValoranthas shown potential as well. There were someValoranttournaments through 2020, including the Ignition series in the summer, and the For The Women Summer Showdown, which saw full teams of women compete. Towards the end of the year, the first North American regional tournament,ValorantFirst Strike,saw 100 Thieves come out on top.
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The executive producer forValorant, Anna Donlon, explained the new Game Changers global initiative. VCT Game Changers is meant to supplement the competitive season, and provide additional opportunities to women and other marginalized genders who play the game. For example, the announcement video highlighted players like Annie Dro, Jennifer “refinnej” Le, ARIANARCHIST, Emmalee “Emuhleet” Garrido, and some members from Cloud9 White, an all-female team.
The program is made up of two related initiatives, the VCT Game Changers Series and the VCT Game Changers Academy. The VCT Game Changers Series will consist of high-level competitions in multiple regions around the world, starting in North America in March 2021. The VCT Game Changers Academy, organized in partnership with GALORANTs, will create semi-pro and grassroots tournaments to provide even more opportunities.
Donlon and theValorantteam are hoping that this new initiative will lead to greater opportunities for people with marginalized genders, and help diversify the overall competitive scene. While VCT Game Changers can help include more women in tournaments and esports, Donlon reassures players that the team is still focused on improving the game experience for regular players as well.Valoranthas already begun to fix issues of toxicitythrough additional penalties for AFK and disruptive playersin the game.
Many professionals in thegaming industry support representationefforts and initiatives that help increase diversity. While not every player might support Riot’s decision to put out this program, it will be interesting to see how it works out. At the very least, fans should keep an eye on whatValorantdoes competitively in 2021.
