Riot Games is flirting with the idea of Valorant skins featuring the logos and colors of VCT’s partner teams, creating a direct link between the game and the pro scene. Following in the footsteps of Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty, and more, Riot is making clear what it wants from Valorant, and it’s a win-win for all parties.
The VCT program is on the rise in 2023, and as a smart company, Riot Games is taking advantage of it. The developer recently released the Champions Pack at the height of esports during the VCT Finals, and teams earned $16 million as a result. Players understandably want more esports content – I know I bought the Champions 2021 and 2022 packs and if Riot ever lets us trade, I’m swimming in cash. Until then, owning limited-time rare sets is flexible enough.
But the team skins in partnership with VCT will be about more than flexibility. All parties will benefit from themed weapons, ultimately leading to a healthier esports ecosystem.
Valorant esports skins are an important part of the VCT association
If the circus around Riot’s partner teams didn’t make sense to you before, it should now. Being connected to the VCT circuit is no longer a courtesy. The ability to monetize your brand through gameplay is a big part, if not all, of the value and value of partnering with Riot. Valorant Esports Global Director Leo Faria spoke about the benefits of the partnership, and one of them is the availability of in-game content.
“The first is a scholarship. We have a pretty decent amount of money that a team gets paid just for being in the league. The second is revenue sharing from in-game goodies. We also give the teams the majority of their revenue from branded content,” Faria said.
In this way, Riot’s partner teams enjoy many advantages. For the Champions package, Riot gave the team 50% of the revenue, meaning organizations received $8 million in 2021 just for qualifying. The discount for team-branded content is unknown, but it should be higher than the Champions Pack, meaning partner teams will be happy if Riot offers at least 60% off.
Smaller teams that join through the application process will be able to get representation without paying a lot of money. Other requirements will apply, but in-game content will reward organizations by promoting their brand. For Tier 2 teams, this would be a major milestone, especially since they earn their spot solely through skill.
More money for Riot and more fun for the players
Teams aren’t the only ones reaping the rewards; Riot will be the real winner here. Riot needs a reason to release new skins (and I’m not complaining about that). Affiliate team skins will likely just be options with no special effects or visuals similar to the Ace kit, but players will be paying big bucks for their value in esports, which means Riot will be swimming in cash to release simple skins.
However, it’s not that bad. Esports skins are better when they look smaller. The minimalist design ensures that they remain always green. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major cosmetics are a great example of this. All of the brand’s stickers are plain; at most they are holographic and FPS fans love them.
While the professional organizations Riot and Valorant will no doubt benefit from the branded content, true fans of the game (me) won’t be left out. Esports content is always a great idea; helps build a healthy rivalry. By adding skins to the game, players can support their teams while enjoying Valorant. Of course, such in-game rivalry carries the risk of toxicity, so players need to be tough and ready to defend their team. You will no longer secretly support a lower level team; your skin would scream his name.
Healthier competition and an engaged player base will result in higher stakes. Thus, the game will be directly connected to the thriving ecosystem of esports where stories take center stage. Old Valorant can also be seen on Twitch live streams. It’s the rivalry that creates excitement in a professional game.
Riot’s focus on esports should come as no surprise, as it’s all been brewing since the release of Valorant. Who knew that Riot would instantly rush to oversee the pro scene when the game was still in its infancy? But Riot’s first Valorant tournament took place three months after launch and it was overwhelming. A peak of three million viewers indicated a strong esports ecosystem. It is safe to say that Valorant esports will make history with the rapid growth of its esports. Fortunately, Riot’s esports model is set up in such a way that everyone wins.
While changing Valorant skins is a long way to go, we hope that partner skins will encourage Riot to work on an in-game store that players find too small and vague to accommodate fantastic skins.
Source : PC Gamesn
