New Policies to Boost Tier Two VALORANT
Riot Games is making significant changes to the Tier Two scene of VALORANT esports. In the upcoming VCT Challengers 2024 season, three new policies will be implemented to integrate the international VCT leagues with the semi-pro scene.
Affiliate Partnerships
Riot is introducing the concept of affiliate partnerships, allowing international league partners to form professional relationships with teams in Challengers and Game Changers circuits. Additionally, player contracts and loans will be rethought to address the issue of “benching” players.
Affiliate partnerships are limited to Challenger teams based on regions. However, there are no restrictions for the Game Changers circuit.
Two-Way Players
The two-way player concept will enable substitute players in international league teams to actively participate in competitive practice throughout the year. Instead of sitting out the entire season, these players will have the opportunity to join affiliate partner teams in Challengers and Game Changers rosters.
The idea for this concept arose when Riot noticed that substitute players signed to international league rosters were not getting enough playtime, causing them to miss out on valuable experience in competitive play.
Player Loans
International league teams will be allowed to loan players out to rosters participating in Challengers and Game Changers. This option is not limited to the affiliate partnership system, meaning eligible teams from any organization can loan players, not just the affiliate partner’s rosters in the circuit.
However, loaned players will not be able to compete as part of their parent teams until the loan period expires.
Premier in the VCT Challengers Ecosystem
VCT Challengers 2024 will introduce the first Promotion and Relegation event for VALORANT’s Premier teams. This event will give deserving Premier teams the chance to prove themselves against top-tier semi-pro teams in their respective regions.
Top Premier teams in each region will compete in a dedicated tournament bracket for an opportunity to secure a slot in the second stage of VCT Challengers 2024. More details about this event will be shared in November.
How VCT Challengers 2024’s New Policies Benefit Tier Two VALORANT
The integration of the talent development process between VCT international leagues and Challengers and Game Changers circuits holds great promise for Tier Two VALORANT. The shuffling of players between these leagues will make it easier for teams to discover emerging talent. Partnered organizations can support multiple professional and semi-professional rosters, fostering the growth of Tier Two VALORANT alongside the established pro scene.
With the introduction of two-way players, the concept of benching or reserving players becomes obsolete. Substitute players can actively participate in the competitive scene as part of their organization’s Challengers or Game Changers rosters, allowing them to remain in practice. This will also encourage partnered teams to scout for talent within the Tier Two scene.
Lastly, the new Premier event presents a valuable opportunity for dedicated ranked players to develop their skills and transition into professional esports talent. This development is significant for the rookie VALORANT esports scene, and it is hoped that Riot Games will continue to prioritize its nurturing.
Tier Two VALORANT, VCT Challengers 2024, esports, Riot Games, affiliate partnerships, two-way players, player loans, Premier event, talent development, competitive scene.