Riot Games continuously develops the Valorant scene. Evident through their continuous creation and investment in events specifically geared towards smaller regions. The Valorant Game Changers series is another key instrument in Riot’s quest to expand the Valorant esports scene, with the series rolling out across more regions in 2022.

The Valorant Game Changers series is a female only tournament series, which specifically aims to highlight the skill and prominence of female players that are greatly underrepresented in the mainstream Valorant pro scene. The APAC region specifically has seen some immense growth through this series, and represents an exemplary beacon of how pure Valorant esports is.

Game Changers APAC is what Valorant esports truely represents

Valorant Game Changers allows Riot to specifically direct resources towards the support of female Valorant teams. This is achieved not only through the various prize pools, but most importantly, exposure and reach much needed by teams to secure sponsors. It enables the development of a new set of players to ideally not only provide another channel of entertainment, contribute towards the competitivity of the Valorant esports scene as a whole.

The Valorant Game Changers APAC has championed the execution of the series, with its structure and numerous layers reflecting it as a true major event outside the VCT. Throughout 2022, teams participating in the 4 separate VCT Game Changers APAC Open events fought for circuit points. The top 3 teams with the most circuit points directly qualify to the VCT 2022: Game Changers APAC Elite. Based on circuit points once again, the top other 16 teams were invited to compete in the VCT 2022: Game Changers APAC Open Overtime. The top 3 teams in the Overtime event would qualify to Game Changers Elite. Remaining teams have yet another chance to qualify for the Game Changers Elite, with two spots up for grabs in the VCT 2022: Game Changers APAC Last Chance Qualifier.

Ultimately, building up to the Game Changers Elite, eight teams will compete against each other for a share in the $35,000 prize pool. The event is set to last across two weeks, with the final format yet to be released. However, given the buildup to the event, it is likely to be a double elimination bracket.

Team 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 – 4th VCT Game Changers APAC Stage 4: Elite team!

What is most notable is that over 128 female only teams participated in this series end-to-end. That is a huge amount of competitive rosters in a female only competition. It is unsurprising considering Riot Games statement that in 2021 found 30-40% of Valorant’s player base were female. It looks like a decent portion of the female playerbase is interested in pursuing an esports career if given a decent and non-toxic competitive environment. APAC as a region has shown so much potential with the sheer amount of competitors in attendance.

One day we wont need a Game Changers and the competitive scenes will unify, but Game Changers is the right way to develop towards that goal. APAC as one of the strongest regions in both Game Changers and VCT main series can be the driving force.