History of Valorant in Timeline
Valorant is a free-to-play tactical first-person shooter video game for Windows, developed and released by Riot Games in 2020. The game, which began development in 2014 and was teased as 'Project A' in 2019, features a closed beta period before its official release. It draws inspiration from the Counter-Strike series, incorporating mechanics like the buy menu, spray patterns, and movement-based inaccuracy.
2014: Valorant Development Begins
Development on Valorant, initially conceived within Riot Games' research and development department, began in 2014.
October 2019: Project A Teaser
Valorant was first teased to the public in October 2019 under the codename "Project A", generating significant excitement within the gaming community.
2019: Valorant Beta Praised, Breaks Twitch Viewership Records
The Valorant beta, launched in 2019, garnered significant praise for its polished gameplay and innovative mechanics. The game's launch day set viewership records on Twitch, highlighting its immediate popularity.
March 1, 2020: Valorant Gameplay Reveal
On March 1, 2020, Valorant was officially announced with a gameplay video titled "The Round," showcasing the core mechanics and visual style of the game.
April 7, 2020: Valorant Closed Beta Launch
On April 7, 2020, the closed beta for Valorant was launched, giving a select group of players their first chance to experience the game. Access was granted through Twitch viewership rewards.
May 28, 2020: Valorant Closed Beta Ends
The closed beta period for Valorant concluded on May 28, 2020, paving the way for the game's full release.
June 2, 2020: Valorant Official Release
Following a successful closed beta period, Valorant was officially released to the public on June 2, 2020.
July 2020: "Win by Two" Competitive Mode Update
In July 2020, Valorant's competitive mode received a significant update. The new system implemented a "win by two" condition for overtime periods, requiring teams to secure a two-round lead to achieve victory.
August 5, 2020: Deathmatch Mode Introduction
Valorant expanded its game mode roster on August 5, 2020, with the introduction of Deathmatch, a fast-paced free-for-all mode focused on pure gunplay.
November 2020: Valorant Champions Tour Announcement
In November 2020, Riot Games announced the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). The VCT is a year-long esports tournament circuit that consists of three competitive tiers.
December 15, 2020: Snowball Fight Launch
Valorant introduced a limited-time holiday game mode, Snowball Fight, on December 15, 2020. Available during the Christmas season, the mode featured snowball launchers and festive power-ups.
2020: "First Strike" Tournament Launch
In 2020, Riot Games launched the "First Strike" tournament for Valorant. This tournament was designed to help establish a foundation for a competitive esports scene around the game.
February 17, 2021: Escalation Game Mode Launch
February 17, 2021, saw the introduction of Escalation, a team-based game mode inspired by the "gungame" concept, where players progress through a series of weapons by achieving kills.
May 11, 2021: Replication Game Mode Release
On May 11, 2021, Valorant launched the Replication game mode. This unique mode allowed entire teams to play as the same agent, chosen through a voting system.
June 2, 2021: Valorant Mobile Announced
Riot Games announced its plans to expand the Valorant universe with the development of a mobile version of the game on June 2, 2021.
May 2023: Valorant Discord Server Achieves Milestone
By May 2023, the official Valorant Discord server reached a significant milestone, becoming the second largest gaming community and the fifth largest overall on the platform.
June 15, 2023: Team Deathmatch Announcement
On June 15, 2023, Valorant announced the upcoming release of a new game mode: Team Deathmatch. This mode was set to combine elements of the standard unrated and deathmatch modes.
2023: Partner Team Model and VCT LOCK//IN
In 2023, Riot Games announced a new partner team model for the Valorant Champions Tour. This model included 30 franchised teams, and they competed in their first LAN tournament at VCT LOCK//IN in São Paulo, Brazil. This event officially marked the beginning of the VCT 2023 season. These partnered teams now compete in three regional leagues for a chance to qualify for Masters and Champions events.
