Summary
Riot Games is set to enhance the experience of the free-to-play first-person tactical hero shooter,Valorant, with a range of new changes and quality-of-life improvements in the upcoming Episode 7 Act 3 patch. With a commitment to continuous innovation and refinement,Valorant, often ranked among themost challenging FPS games, is set to receive additional features and a significant overhaul ofValorantPremier.
Introduced a year ago,ValorantPremieris a competitive gameplay mode designed to elevate the standards of top-tierValorantcompetition. Just before the official full launch ofValorantPremier in August 2023, Leo Faria,Valorant’s Head of Esports, articulated his vision for the mode as the future gateway to the VCT Challengers leagues, potentially replacing the current open qualifying system. In Premier, players join teams and compete throughout a season of scheduled matches, offering a unique pathway to professional play. Each season culminates in a playoff featuring the division’s elite teams, crowning a Division Champion.
Now an exciting overhaul to the Premier mode is on the horizon, scheduled to go live withValorant’s upcoming update on October 31. According to the latest announcement, several dynamic shifts and enhancements will invigorate the mode. The introduction of Premier Practice will empower teams to queue for rehearsal matches on specified non-match days, mimicking the Premier match format. However, the outcome of these matches will not affect one’s Premier Score. A strategic revamp in Playoff Seeding ensures that squads with superior Premier Scores receive advantageous seeding in the Playoff Tournament bracket.
The Enrollment Update provides a one-and-a-half-day registration window, allowingValorantteams formedwithin this timeframe the flexibility to recruit and jump into Premier at any stage. To enhance the user experience, the Playoff Queue now includes a 15-minute seeding phase, designed to refine matchmaking. During this crucial period, teams are required to confirm their participation and remain in the queue. Regarding gameplay, Timeouts have been adjusted, each match now offers one timeout per side, complemented by an additional timeout during Overtime. Lastly, the aesthetic and symbolic Premier Crests are poised for evolution. They are meticulously designed to reflect a team’s performance, evolving and adapting throughout the entire Stage, serving as a badge of honor and recognition.
Riot Games' consistent efforts to enhanceValorantunderscore the company’s unwavering commitment to improve the game based on user feedback. These regular updates, including the upcoming overhaul toValorantPremier, reflect Riot Games' dedication to refine the player experience.
