Is Smurfing in VALORANT Here to Stay?
Smurfing has become synonymous with VALORANT, creating an ongoing debate that shows no signs of resolution. Despite attempts by Riot to address the issue, it persists, leading players to question whether there is an underlying reason behind its endurance.
In a Reddit post from Aug. 27, a player named nipperkinmullins drew attention to the issue, specifically calling out those who engage with content featuring Radiant speedruns. The post questioned why people express outrage about smurfing but fail to come together to show their disapproval of such content.
The post highlighted how content creators thrive on positive feedback and suggested that fans could put an end to smurfing content by withdrawing their support. Comments under the post further emphasized the hypocrisy of players who only care about smurfing when it affects them personally.
Despite Riot’s efforts to combat smurfing, one major factor contributing to the problem remains unaddressed: smurfing content created by popular creators. Players believe that Riot benefits from this content and has only implemented algorithms to adjust smurfing players’ matchmaking ratings, rather than completely eliminating the issue.
The ongoing hypocrisy of players and Riot’s apparent indifference suggest that a true solution to VALORANT’s smurfing problem may be out of reach for now.