Trying to break into an already established genre in any branch of the incredibly competitive and saturated entertainment industry is hard work. Oftentimes, it is an impossible task altogether, but depending on how well your approach is and how well your product is made, there is a chance. It certainly helps if the company or developer in question already has an established studio and a fan base that adores it.
This was the case with the video game now known far and wide as Valorant. Developed by RIOT Games who have already had huge success with their industry-leading and genre-defining League of Legends title, the iconic MOBA game, Valorant was destined for success from day one.
The gaming industry is at an all-time high across the board. From the revenue and quality of software to new hardware and consoles setting unprecedented standards, it has never been a better time to be a gamer. So what is the deal here and what do we mean by this? Well, in this interesting and all-encompassing article, we take a look at some fun Valorant trivia. If you are interested in this tactical team-based first person shooter (FPS) game available for PC, this is the place to be. 
We discuss the best teams, the most successful players and streamers, and the incredible competitive scene it has had over its history. It has also done a great deal of promotion and ushered in a new era of Esports betting due to its widespread popularity and the fascination it causes among the fans.
The Origin of Valorant
When you are the absolute, undisputed leader in an industry or at least in a branch thereof, it makes sense that you think you can do it again in something similar. The success that RIOT has managed to have with League of Legends (LOL) has rarely been seen in the gaming world. It can only be compared to World of Warcraft (WOW), Counter-Strike (CS), and Grand Theft Auto V (GTAV).
Naturally, after a decade of dominating the gaming industry and setting unprecedented standards in competitive gaming, Esports, streaming hours watched, and concurrent players, they decided to branch out and take on the tactical first-person shooter (FPS) scene. Of course, that meant going up against CS by Valve and Overwatch (OW) by Blizzard Entertainment.
This was a tall task because the two games were, at the moment, the no-brainer choice for their respective sub genres of shooter games. Counter-Strike led the tactical shooter scene while OW became the first of the new wave of tactical hero shooters. So what did RIOT do? They decided to make a combination of the two and launch in a new era of competitive shooter games that would be dominant both in online ranked settings and with Esports events.
Valorant took the team-based gameplay with a plethora of available guns and the iconic weapons menu from CS, and different characters with individual abilities and skillsets from OW. Combined, they allow the players to play the similarly tactical gunplay with pistols, SMGs, rifles, snipers, and throwables combined with each playable character having their own passive, tactical, and ultimate abilities.
It also helped that they took inspiration from CS regarding the maps with A and B points of interest and bomb planting and/or defusing. It was a similar and proven formula players knew wrapped in an interesting new art style and updated graphics with a ton of new potential with the magical and tech-based abilities but over a dozen heroes on launch day. Without any surprises, the game became an instant success. It was completely free, just like LOL is, and much of the same player base was hooked from day one.
Loyal RIOT supporters but also the fans of FPS games like CS, OW, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and PUBG came in masses and many of them stayed. The future was set immediately and the next stop was Esports and competitive professional ranked play. Soon, Valorant betting followed as the game proved to be a very exciting one to watch and wager on, especially among those used to betting on other titles.
The Biggest Valorant Events
Over the many years of the game’s dominance in the field, there have been many iconic and successful tournaments and events. The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is the premier global competition for the popular game.
The biggest up until then was the VCT 2022 from August 31 to September 18 at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles, California, USA. Thousands of viewers came to watch it live with hundreds of thousands watching online. The peak concurrent Twitch viewership exceeded 1.4 million, making it an incredible testament to the game’s popularity. The prize pool was US $1 million and the winner was the Brazilian team LOUD for their first title. In the finals, they defeated OpTic Gaming from the USA in a thrilling 3-1 series.
A year prior at the 2021 VCT in Berlin, Germany, from December 1 to December 12, the previous records were set. It suffered from some restrictions due to the pandemic so no live audience was present. Still, the online viewership was massive with the peaks of more than 1 million concurrent viewers. The prize pool was $1 million even then as Acend beat KRU Esports 3-0 in the grand finale.
A few years ago at the 2023 VCT at the KIA Forum in LA, the standards and the stakes were raised big time. It was a month-long June 6 to August 6 tournament with a $2 million prize pool. Thousands flocked to watch the matches live and this time, the concurrent viewer count was north of 2 million at its peak. As for the final matchup, the Paper Rex Asia-Pacific team got the best of the European organization Fnatic 3-1 in a very exciting final packed with the best that this game can offer.
Most Successful Valorant Esports Organizations
There have been several organizations so far with significant impact on the Valorant scene. They have performed well in most major tournaments they participated in and have contributed greatly to the growth of the competitive scene of the game, as well as the global reach and popularity of watching the streams live. One of the best teams comes from North America, Sentinels, who have won the VCT 2020 First Strike and the VCT 2021 Stage 2 Masters Reykjavik. With amazing teamwork and a stacked roster with the likes of Shroud and SicK, the opponents stood no chance.
LOUD, a team from Brazil, is another big organization on the RIOT hit game’s scene. Their top achievement is the VCT 2022 Championship, which they followed up in 2023 with another strong showing. They remain a key team that competes at all of the high-tier tournaments and no other team wants to meet them on their side of the bracket. Their best players have been Less and saadhak.
Fnatic, a well-known game in the Esports landscape and titles in many FPS titles, managed to make a name for themselves in Valorant as well. At the VCT 2023 Masters in Tokyo they won their first title defeating the aforementioned LOUD in the finals and taking over for some time as the best team in the game. They have also had many top finishes in the top brackets in different tournaments, both big and small. Their best players have been Derke and Doma.
OpTic Gaming from the North American region have missed two big chances in 2022 to win prestigious titles. They came up short in the VCT 2022 Champions against LOUD in the finals, as well as at the VCT 2022 Masters Reykjavik where they were the runners-up to Sentinels. Despite not winning at the highest level, they have been a consistent organization known for tactics and star performances of their duo of Marved and Victor.
As mentioned above, Paper Rex out of the Asia-Pacific region managed to win the 2023 iteration of the VCT Championship. It is their biggest achievement and the team has been a dominant force to be reckoned with in the APAC region, consistently placing highly in international tourneys. Their best player, known for his fast-paced gameplay and aggressive approach, has been Jinggg who has a massive fan following. Betting on these teams is available on Stake.com so make sure to check out the latest odds.
Cloud9, Team Liquid, X10CRIT, and Acend are all teams with great success achieved at their appearances in tournaments around the world. Ascend won the 2021 VCT Championship, X10 came second in Reykjavik, Cloud9 had plenty of top-level finishes, and Team Liquid was the 2021 VCT Champion. Other notable teams and honorable mentions include ZETA DIVISION from Japan, KRU Esports from the Latin America region, and G2 Esports from the European region.
Great Valorant Players
As for the best individual performers in the history of the game, there have been some high-caliber stars and legends of the game. Despite the game only being less than 5 years old, it has seen its fair share of pros who have made their mark on the tactical hero shooter. Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev from Fnatic, the 2023 Masters Champion, is one of them, a master of Jett and Astra picks. He has impeccable aim, fast reflexes, and his game sense is among the highest on the scene.
Right up there with him is Shahzeeb Khan, the former Sentinels player and 2021 VCT Masters champion. His mechanical skill and leadership are insane and he was instrumental in that title run that helped him make his name in the game. Jason “Jinggg” Poon of Paper Rex is another pro worth mentioning the 2023 VCT Champ. Then there are Hunter “SicK” Mims of Sentinels, Mehmet “Ched” Kizilkaya of Acend, and Adil “Scream” Benriltom of Team Liquid.
Valorant FAQs
Which agents are the most played in Valorant?
- Jett: Often considered the go-to duelist for aggressive players due to her mobility and high skill ceiling. Her dash and ultimate make her a favorite for entry fragging.
- Sova: Controller and scout agent with his ability to gather information using his Recon Bolt and Owl Drone. Crucial for strategic gameplay.
- Phoenix: Self-sufficient duelist with strong healing abilities and entry fragging potential. His blaze walls and ultimate (Run It Back) allow him to take risks and return to life.
- Astra: Controller who has been increasingly popular in competitive play for her gravity well, smokes, and the ability to manipulate space with her cosmic divide ultimate.
- Reyna: A duelist who thrives on kills and gainsheals and invulnerability by securing eliminations. A favorite in aggressive playstyles.
What are the most popular guns used in Valorant?
- Vandal: One of the most commonly used rifles known for its one-tap headshot potential and consistent damage at all ranges. Players often prefer it for its versatility.
- Phantom: Another rifle, beloved for its faster fire rate compared to the Vandal. The Phantom excels at close to mid-range combat where its spray control shines.
- Operator: The sniper rifle game-changer capable of one-shotting enemies with a headshot. It is the favorite of players with exceptional aiming skills.
- Sheriff: A classic archetype pistol with high damage output, especially with headshots, with a high skill ceiling. Used for eco rounds or by players looking for a more skillful playstyle due to its slower fire rate and high accuracy.
- Guardian: A semi-automatic rifle favored for its accuracy and efficiency at long ranges. Very useful in eco rounds when players want a cost-effective option with good damage output.
What are the most popular maps in Valorant?
- Bind: Often one of the most consistently played maps in the competitive scene due to its balanced design and multiple choke points that allow for strategic play.
- Ascent: A central map that has become a staple in competitive play, often considered the most competitive map with emphasis on both long-range and close-quarters combat.
- Icebox: Known for its verticality and tight spaces, this is a high-skill map, fan favorite and a challenging battlefield for teams.
- Haven: A unique map with three bomb sites with a varied gameplay and strategic depth.
- Which agents have the highest win rates in Valorant?
The win rate of agents can fluctuate depending on the meta and balance changes. Astra, Jett, and Sova are agents that typically had higher win rates in various tournaments and matches than any of the other agents.
