After nearly four years of silence, Riot Games has finally announced that their tactical hero shooter, Valorant, is set to make its way to mobile devices. The development is being handled by Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studios. Although an exact release date remains undisclosed, the initial rollout will commence in China, with plans for a broader release to follow.
Valorant, often described as a blend of Counter-Strike and Overwatch, offers a unique mix of precise, tactical gunplay and diverse agent abilities. The game's core mode is a 13-round 5v5 match where players have one life per round and can engage in objectives reminiscent of Counter-Strike's bomb defusal and planting scenarios.
The collaboration between Riot and Lightspeed comes as no surprise, given their mutual ownership by Tencent. However, this official confirmation is a welcome development after such a long wait for news on Valorant Mobile.
The announcement is particularly exciting for players in China, where the Android platform dominates, virtually ensuring a multi-OS release. Beyond this, Riot's statement confirms that Lightspeed is actively involved in the development and that the strategy is to launch first in China.
While a global release is anticipated, ongoing trade issues, especially those related to smartphones critical for mobile gaming, might delay the announcement of an international launch date. Tencent, Lightspeed, and Riot will likely take their time to ensure a smooth rollout worldwide.
In the meantime, if you're eager to satisfy your craving for action, don't limit yourself to puzzle games or cooking simulations. Instead, check out our list of the best shooters available on Android and iOS to keep your trigger finger sharp.
