The topic of different genders and the role they play in Esports has always been sensitive to tread upon. However, Riot Games, makers of the popular tactical FPS VALORANT seem to have set out on a mission to break these conventional barriers as they have recently announced new changes to VCT, aiming for a perfect blend of Game Changers to the Challengers and other International tournaments.
There remains no doubt that if executed perfectly, VALORANT will be providing opportunities to women and other marginalized genders like no other competitive title in the industry, prompting others to soon follow Riot Games in the inclusive journey they have embarked on.
Riot Games Introduces VALORANT OFF// SEASON – Time For A New Esports Era To Usher In?
The establishment of the Game Changers tournament by Riot Games has been without a doubt one of the greatest steps taken to promote professional women players in the industry. To endorse this exact spirit further, the studio has now announced major changes to how the ecosystem is going to work moving forward, starting with the introduction of VALORANT OFF// SEASON.
The new tournament, which is going to begin this very year, will feature mixed-gender rosters for the first time ever. This will permit Riot Games to observe and fix any disparity and issues that arise early on, allowing the same format to be further executed in already existing international tournaments and the pre-dominant VCT format.
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) June 18, 2024
The said changes were announced through an article published on the official Twitter/ X account of the VALORANT Champions Tour, outlining how “Mixed rosters are the future” as the industry moves on, fostering inclusivity and providing a platform to those who deserve it.
What Else Can One Expect From The Game Changers Tournament In The Coming Future?
As stated, apart from introducing a whole new tournament format, the studio has also brought some huge changes to the existing ecosystem of the Game Changers format, with most of them revolving around giving the players an opportunity to break into the male-dominated challengers tournament.
One of the many new rules, as highlighted in the tweet mentioned above states how there is an import leniency on players participating in the Game Changers tournament, allowing them to bypass any transfer window limitations and other restrictions if signed by an International League or Challenger teams.
VALORANT is available for free on PC via Riot’s official website and the Epic Games Store
