Corrode: inspiration and design behind the new VALORANT map with developers

Riot Games has just announced Corrode, the upcoming map for the VALORANT pool. The developers shared their inspiration, design goals, and concepts behind Corrode. Let's explore it.

Corrode has faced numerous challenges since the game's release in 2020. Joey Simas, the Lead Map Designer for VALORANT, described Corrode as a "core three-lane tactical FPS map with a particular focus on layered defenses." The design of the map emphasizes traditional FPS mechanics rather than an overwhelming use of abilities. This has posed significant challenges for both casual and pro players.

Joey emphasizes that Corrode provides defenders with greater opportunities to "play on-site and withstand the barrage of utility that attackers use," while also limiting post-plant gameplay from off-site positions. This design results in sites that are "a bit more complex," but the middle area remains "fairly simple," facilitating strong rotation options. The objective was for Corrode to present a map that subjects defenders to less utility pressure, promoting more careful planning and enhancing team communication and strategy.

Corrode takes inspiration from the architecture of French castles, blending medieval and traditional styles with elements of radionite. This new map is set in Omega Earth, marking it as the third map to be located in this setting, following Pearl and Sunset.

Daniel McGowan, the Senior Manager for Art Direction on VALORANT, told us that Corrode witnesses its waters evaporated after the First Light, exposing vast salt flats and creating great conditions for radianite supercell storms, explaining all the purple around the map. One side of the map shows us the castle architecture, while the other goes for a traditional village aesthetic, much like the map dynamic we saw with Fracture.

Players will be able to see moving trucks, trains, an ATLAS carrier in the distance, and an active supercell storm on the horizon, as Daniel referred being the "most ambitious vistas to date" in the game.

As a way to incentivize players to learn the map, Corrode will be available right after the patch notes 11.00. Not only that, but during the first two weeks, players will only lose 50% RR for defeats on Corrode. However, they will still win 100% RR for the wins. This way, players will have time to learn the map and feel more confident about it, as Armand Asourian, the Game Product Manager for VALORANT, explained.

That's all for now. Stick around for more VALORANT news, guides, and updates on esports.gg.