Riot Is 'Trialling A Battle Royale Mode For VALORANT'
It looks like Riot Games is finally caving to the pressure and could add a much-requested battle royale mode to VALORANT. Despite only having been out since last June, the game has muscled its way into the competitive shooter circuit and also taken the esports scene by storm.
As we continue to make our way through Episode 3 Act 1, players are looking ahead at how VALORANT will evolve beyond adding KAY/0 to the game. There have been plenty of calls for Battle Royale to join the other modes.
Following the release of Escalation in February as VALORANT's own version of Call of Duty and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's "gungame", is Battle Royale next?
Is VALORANT getting a Batte Royale mode?
The latest rumour comes from noted PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds leaker PlayerIGN. According to them, Riot Games is testing out some form of Battle Royale mode in China. Although it's yet to be confirmed by Riot, it would seem like a random rumour to pluck from thin air if there wasn't at least some truth to it.
Their first tweet about a Battle Royale mode in VALORANT was originally made in November 2020, however, PlayerIGN replied to it with a video claiming they have more evidence. In the video, PlayerIGN claims PUBG players in China were invited to a private playtest where they got to try out a battle royale VALORANT.
Remembering that PlayerIGN successfully leaked VALORANT Mobile ahead of time and the release of Skye and Yoru, they're usually pretty on it. We've already made an argument for and against BR in VALORANT, but only time will tell whether the latest leaks are real.
When could we see Battle Royale mode for VALORANT?
With VALORANT Mobile just around the corner, it would be a great time to launch Battle Royale across the title. We don't know whether Battle Royale is for the main game, Mobile, or both, but Riot is sure to coin it with however it's introduced to VALORANT.
Considering players have been asking for a battle royale element in VALORANT since before it launched, our patience could've paid off. While Fallout 76 is axing its short-lived battle royale mode and Battlefield 2042 won't launch with one, there's no escaping the popularity of the battle royale genre. It's no wonder CoD and Fortnite are two of the biggest games around in the streaming and esports community.
Considering Riot's other big hitter is League of Legends - and it has a massive esports presence - it's a logical step for the developers to make. If a VALORANT Battle Royale mode is on the way, it will be interesting to see what Riot can offer up that's new. It's no secret that the market is a little saturated right now, and as the final circle closes in, Riot will have to deliver something different.
