Riot and Lightspeed team up for Valorant Mobile's China launch

After nearly four years of silence, Riot Games has finally announced that their popular tactical hero shooter, Valorant, is set to make its way to mobile devices. The development is being handled by Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studios, marking a significant step towards bringing the game to a broader audience. While an exact release date remains undisclosed, Riot has confirmed that the initial launch will focus on China, with plans for a wider release to follow.

Valorant blends the tactical gunplay of Counter-Strike with the unique agent abilities seen in Overwatch, creating a compelling gameplay experience. The core mode features a 13-round 5v5 match where players have one life per round, and often involves defusal or planting objectives, a familiar mechanic for Counter-Strike enthusiasts.

The collaboration between Riot and Lightspeed comes as no surprise, given that both companies are under the Tencent umbrella. This official confirmation is a welcome update after such a long wait for news on Valorant Mobile.

The announcement is particularly exciting for players in China, where Android is a dominant platform, suggesting a multi-OS release is on the horizon. Riot's statement confirms that development is underway with Lightspeed and that the initial focus will be on the Chinese market.

While this news hints at a broader release, current trade issues and the importance of smartphones in mobile gaming may delay a global rollout. Fans worldwide will need to wait for further updates from Tencent, Lightspeed, and Riot on when Valorant will be available on mobile globally.

In the meantime, if you're eager to keep your gaming skills sharp, don't limit yourself to puzzle games or culinary management sims. Check out our list of the best shooters available for Android and iOS to keep the excitement going until Valorant Mobile hits the scene.