Riot Games is poised to elevate the experience of Valorant, their free-to-play first-person tactical hero shooter, with a series of significant changes and quality-of-life improvements in the forthcoming Episode 7 Act 3 patch. Valorant, known for its challenge and competitive nature, is about to undergo a transformation aimed at delivering a more refined gaming experience.
A Year of Valorant Premier
Introduced a year ago, Valorant Premier emerged as a competitive gameplay mode with the aim of setting new standards for high-level Valorant competition. Just ahead of Valorant Premier’s official launch in August 2023, Leo Faria, Valorant’s Head of Esports, expressed his vision for the mode as a potential gateway to the VCT Challengers leagues, possibly supplanting the current open qualifying system. In Premier, players form teams and compete in scheduled matches over a season, creating a unique path to professional play. Each season reaches its climax with a playoff, where the division’s elite teams battle for the title of Division Champion.
Exciting Changes Ahead
A significant overhaul of Premier mode is now on the horizon, scheduled to debut with the upcoming Valorant update on October 31. The latest announcement outlines several dynamic shifts and enhancements for the mode:
- Premier Practice: Teams can now queue for rehearsal matches on designated non-match days, following the Premier match format, but with no impact on Premier Scores.
- Playoff Seeding Revamp: A strategic shift ensures that teams with higher Premier Scores receive favorable seeding in the Playoff Tournament bracket.
- Enrollment Update: A 36-hour registration window allows newly formed Valorant teams to join Premier at any point during the season.
- Playoff Queue Enhancement: A 15-minute seeding phase refines matchmaking and ensures teams’ participation.
- Timeout Adjustments: Each match now features one timeout per side, with an additional timeout during Overtime.
- Evolution of Premier Crests: These emblems evolve to reflect a team’s performance throughout the entire stage, serving as a symbol of honor and recognition.
These changes are emblematic of Riot Games’ steadfast commitment to enhancing the Valorant experience based on player feedback. Their regular updates, including the upcoming Valorant Premier overhaul, underscore the company’s dedication to refining and perfecting the player experience.
