After a silence that lasted nearly four years, Riot Games has finally announced that their tactical hero shooter, Valorant, is making its way to mobile devices. The development of the mobile version is being handled by Lightspeed Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent, marking a significant step forward for fans eagerly awaiting this release. While an exact release date remains under wraps, Riot has confirmed that the initial rollout will start in China, setting the stage for a broader global launch.
Valorant has carved out a niche for itself by blending the precise, tactical gameplay of Counter-Strike with the unique agent abilities reminiscent of Overwatch. The game's core mode features a 13-round 5v5 match format, where players have one life per round and engage in a defusal/planting objective similar to what fans of Counter-Strike are familiar with.
The collaboration between Riot and Lightspeed isn't surprising, given that both companies are under the Tencent umbrella. However, this official confirmation breaks the long silence surrounding Valorant Mobile and is a welcome update for the community.
Valorous
Given the popularity of Android in China, it's highly likely that Valorant Mobile will see a multi-OS release. Riot's announcement has confirmed that development is underway with Lightspeed and that a China-first strategy is in place. This sets a promising foundation for a wider release, although global availability might be delayed due to ongoing trade issues affecting the smartphone market, a critical component for mobile gaming.
While we await further details on the global release, fans with an itch for action don't need to settle for less engaging genres. Why not explore our curated list of the best shooters available on Android and iOS to keep your trigger finger sharp?
