An official launch date for VALORANT in China has been revealed, along with everything else the player base there can expect.
China has always been a hot spot for game developers, but due to government restrictions, every video game goes through a strict process before it can launch. VALORANT is no exception, as a beta phase launched in China only recently.
In a highly anticipated press conference, the Riot Games team delivered massive news to the VALORANT player base in China. The beta phase will soon end and the full game will launch on July 12. Along with it are popular skin sets, an exclusive replay system, and official inclusion into the VCT.
When does VALORANT launch in China?
A closed beta test started on May 2. This was the most significant testing period for the first-person shooter in China so far. It apparently did the job as the game will now officially launch in the country over three years since it first became available globally.
If you a Chinese player ready for the servers to go live, you won't have to wait much longer. VALORANT launches in China on July 12. This is right in the middle of the China qualifier for Champions 2023, so that could very well be used to hype up the expectedly large population before release.
China receives its very own replay system
Perhaps the most interesting piece of news alongside the launch date is the exclusive replay system. It is being called a built-in recording system, and is claimed to be geared more towards social gameplay and clip sharing.
That doesn't mean it won't be used by competitive Chinese teams to review their matches. Which is something other parts of the world have been begging for since VALORANT came to life. Who knows? This could easily be the precursor to a full-fledged replay system worldwide.
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Skins and sets available when VALORANT arrives in China
The VALORANT server in China will be on the same patch schedule as the rest of the world. It will start with 16 Agent, four maps, and have Team Deathmatch available. In addition, all 36 past skin sets released in the other regions will be available, and China receives an exclusive melee variant.
On top of that, Chinese players will have a limited time run of the Arcane Bundle, the Champions 2021 Bundle, and the Champions 2022 bundle. And according to Riot Games, a giveaway will take place that will gift every skin set to five lucky Chinese players.
When will China join the VCT?
Lastly, they touched on the VALORANT Champions Tour. Technically, China has been a part of the VCT, with teams included all year long, starting at LOCK//IN. Without that, we wouldn't have had the incredible run of EDward Gaming at VCT Masters Tokyo.
Well, it is official. They welcomed China to the VCT. Details are scarce now, but if past comments by Riot Games leadership are any indication, China will become its own region in the VALORANT Champions Tour. And word is that they are hoping for that to take place as early as 2024.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage.
*Special thanks to @subzidite2 on Twitter for providing coverage of the live press conference.
