Riot Games' online multiplayerfirst-person shooterProject Awas announced several months ago. In the past week, however, leaks regarding the project have been growing in quantity. Project A’s official name is reported to now beValorant. Several ofValorant’s characters also leaked, including names, designs, and clips of their abilities. AnotherValorantleak has now been discovered, revealing several high-quality screenshots ofValorant’s gameplay.
IGN appears to have accidentally published a story announcingValorant’s name changeahead of a non-public embargo deadline. The article was quickly pulled offline, but not before watchful internet denizens were able to scrapeValorant’s new screenshots. Eight screenshots in total were leaked, offering a first-look at various Volarant characters and gameplay. Perhaps most interesting, however, is how the screenshots show offValorant’s map design.
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The character design and use of character abilities inValorantmakes clear that the game is heavily inspired byOverwatchand otherrole-based FPS games. However, early previews forValorantalso implied it was also based onCounter-Strike. These new screenshots help show off that element ofValorant, due to the game’s map design.
Rather thanOverwatch’s very open map design and relatively scant cover,Valorant’s maps are filled with sharp corners, hallways, and tons of cover. The maps look like they could have been taken directly fromCounter-Strikein some ways. Some fans say one map section looks identical to theCounter-StrikemapMirage.
The implication is thatValorantis the answer to the question, “What ifCounter-Strikegave players the abilities ofOverwatch’s heroes?” These eight screenshots show veryCounter-Strike-like gameplay, with players holding corners and shooting down corridors while aiming for opponents' heads. Only there are also rockets falling from the sky, ice-walls, laser traps, and other shenanigans, too.Valorantis very clearly a hybrid of what Riot must see asCounter-StrikeandOverwatch’s most interesting ideas.
The leak in question had one further bit of information to share.Valorantis set to be officially unveiled as soon as tonight.Riot Gamesapparently recently held a press and influencer event showcasing the new game. The embargo for that event is what’s coming up soon. That means that there should be plenty of hands-on experiences to read, as well as a ton of other new information to share very soon.
Valoranthas no currently announced release window or supported platforms.
