VALORANT Finally Gets a Server in Africa, Bringing Low Ping to South African Players
The highly popular first-person shooter game, VALORANT, has achieved global success with its flourishing esports scene. From the dominance of Chinese teams in the VCT to intense rivalries between North and South America, VALORANT has become a staple in the gaming community. However, there has been one major void in the game’s infrastructure – the absence of a dedicated server in Africa. That is about to change.
After years of playing with high ping and tirelessly advocating for a server, the VALORANT community in Africa can celebrate. Executive producer Anna Donlon recently announced that Riot Games will finally be launching servers in South Africa, paving the way for gamers in the region to experience low latency gameplay.
End of High Ping Woes for African VALORANT Players
Since the launch of VALORANT, players in Africa have been pleading for a local server. Until now, they had no choice but to connect to servers in Europe and the Middle East, resulting in poor network latency. This was especially challenging for players in South Africa as they had to contend with the distance and associated lag.
In a Reddit post, a player from South Africa expressed their frustrations, stating, “Our lowest ping to EU servers can be anywhere from 150ms to 200ms depending on where you are in the country. We love the game, but it’s really tilting when the enemy seems to have more bullets than you.” Fortunately, Riot Games has listened to the pleas of African gamers and will be addressing this issue with the introduction of the South African server.
The Impact of South African Servers on African Gaming
Many players from across Africa have voiced the need for a server located in either Cape Town or Johannesburg. The addition of a South African server will undoubtedly benefit players in these major cities, as well as those residing elsewhere on the continent. The server will be facilitated by Carry1st, a Cape Town-based company.
Although players from West Africa and other central regions may still experience high latency, the establishment of a server in South Africa represents a step in the right direction. This move towards inclusivity opens up opportunities for African players to compete on a more level playing field as VALORANT continues to rise in global prominence.
Unlocking Access to Esports Opportunities in Africa
Despite the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) being part of the VALORANT Champions Tour, there are currently no African organizations represented. European teams dominate the scene, hindering the region’s inclusivity efforts. However, the introduction of the South African server is a game-changer that paves the way for African players to unleash their potential. With this new accessibility, the possibilities for African esports are limitless.
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