Riot partners with Lightspeed for Valorant Mobile launch in China

After nearly four years of anticipation, Riot Games has finally broken the silence on the mobile version of their popular tactical hero shooter, Valorant. The development is being entrusted to Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studios, marking a significant step towards bringing this game to mobile platforms. While an official release date remains undisclosed, Riot has confirmed that the initial rollout will commence in China, setting the stage for a broader global launch.

Valorant, which blends the tactical gunplay of Counter-Strike with the unique agent abilities reminiscent of Overwatch, offers a thrilling 13-round 5v5 match format. Each player has a single life per round, and the gameplay often revolves around planting or defusing a bomb, a mechanic familiar to fans of Counter-Strike.

The collaboration between Riot and Lightspeed Studios comes as no surprise, given their shared ownership under Tencent. This partnership has been eagerly awaited by fans, and the official announcement is a welcome development after such a long wait for news on Valorant Mobile.

Given the dominance of Android in China, a multi-OS release seems almost certain. However, beyond the confirmation of development with Lightspeed and the planned China-first strategy, details remain sparse. Riot's announcement hints at a wider release, but global rollout timelines may be influenced by ongoing trade issues, particularly those affecting the smartphone market crucial for mobile gaming.

While we await further updates on when Valorant will be available worldwide on mobile, fans with an eager trigger finger need not despair. Instead of turning to puzzles or culinary management sims, why not explore our curated list of the best shooters available on Android and iOS to keep your skills sharp?