Ninjas in Pyjamas Returns to VALORANT with Female Roster for Game Changers
Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) has made a comeback in the EMEA region of VALORANT by signing three talented female players. Paige “Padge” Thomas, Öykü “OYKU” Büyük, and Nelly “Raina” Sosobrado have joined NiP to compete in VCT Game Changers, Riot Games’ official competitive circuit for marginalized genders.
The community has shown great enthusiasm for this announcement, as it marks NiP’s commitment to the Game Changers scene. Although NiP has been invested in VALORANT since 2020, this is the first time they have formed a roster without male players. This decision comes after NiP allowed their male players to explore other opportunities following the missed franchising program for 2023. They did not have a VALORANT team since September 2021.
Raina, OYKU, and Padge are familiar with each other as they previously played together under Rix.GG Lightning in 2022. In October, they secured a 5th-6th place finish in Game Changers EMEA: Series III. The top four teams in the tournament were TENSTAR Nova, Natus Vincere Celestians, G2 Gozen, and Guild X.
“New chapter, y’all better be ready for us we are coming for that trophy,” said Raina after joining NiP alongside OYKU and Padge. The remaining players for NiP’s Game Changer lineup have yet to be announced, and the organization will unveil them at a later date.
The VALORANT Game Changers EMEA circuit will undergo significant changes in 2023. Riot has introduced four tiers: VCT Game Changers EMEA: Academy, VCT Game Changers EMEA: Emergents, VCT Game Changers Contenders, and VCT Game Changers EMEA. This restructuring aims to provide a clearer path for aspiring professional players.
Ninjas in Pyjamas, NiP, VALORANT, Game Changers, female players, VCT, Riot Games, competitive circuit, marginalized genders, roster, signing, Paige Thomas, Padge, Öykü Büyük, OYKU, Nelly Sosobrado, Raina, community, esports organization, commitment, investment, male players, missed franchising program, Rix.GG Lightning, tournament, announcement, restructuring, professional players.