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VALORANT players voice concerns over Riot’s ‘gatekeeping’ of new skin bundle

The Champions 2023 VALORANT Skin Bundle Draws Criticism from Players

The latest skin bundle coming to VALORANT, called the Champions 2023 bundle, will be available in the shop starting from August 4. However, this time around, the bundle has received backlash from players.

Skins in VALORANT are known for their special visual effects that enhance the weapons’ experience. Unfortunately, in order to unlock the full visual effects of the Champions bundle, players not only have to pay a Radianite cost but also achieve a certain number of kills.

This is not a new mechanic, as previous Champions bundles required players to be at the top of the leaderboard (2021) or earn 25 kills (2022) to unlock the glowing effects. For the 2023 edition of the bundle, players must achieve 30 kills to see all the visual effects.

Player Criticism and Frustration

VALORANT players are expressing their dissatisfaction with this new 30-kill requirement to experience the visual effects. Some have even taken to social media platforms, like Reddit, to voice their frustrations and criticize it as a form of “gatekeeping.”

Many players question the purpose of having visual effects if they are rarely accessible. They argue that after spending money on the bundle, they should be able to enjoy the product without limitations.

The difficulty of achieving 30 kills in a lobby has sparked frustration among the general player base. Not every player has a playstyle focused on fragging out, and reaching this kill count is especially challenging for the majority of players. It is not an accurate measure of their skill or performance in the game.

Even if players manage to reach 30 kills, the full visual effects will only be visible for a limited number of rounds. Additionally, it may not always be beneficial for a player to consistently rack up 30 kills in every game, as VALORANT is a team-based game that requires different roles and playstyles.

The Impact on Gameplay and Team Dynamics

VALORANT is a team-based game, and players are encouraged to contribute to the team’s success rather than solely focus on getting kills. Different agents have unique abilities and roles, with some agents designed for getting kills and others tasked with supporting the team strategically.

VALORANT players believe that having 30 kills in a lobby doesn’t necessarily determine a player’s contribution to the team’s victory. It may lead to a skewed perspective on the importance of fragging out, potentially encouraging players to focus only on getting kills rather than playing as a team.

Some players state that if they don’t reach 30 kills, their performance may appear less exciting compared to those who do. This may create an imbalance in agent selection, with certain agents being favored over others.

Possible Solutions and Player Suggestions

Players have suggested that the skin’s full visual effects may only be realistically visible in Deathmatch or Team Deathmatch modes, where the primary objective is to accumulate kills. These modes provide a better platform for players who want to experience the bundle’s visual effects without the pressure of reaching a high kill count in regular matches.

While the Champions 2023 bundle will likely be popular due to its limited availability, some players may be dissuaded from purchasing it because they anticipate not being able to fully enjoy the visual effects despite the cost.

Overall, the implementation of the 30-kill requirement for the Champions 2023 VALORANT Skin Bundle has sparked controversy among players. It undermines the team-based nature of the game and places excessive emphasis on individual fragging. Players hope for adjustments or alternative solutions to ensure a fair and enjoyable gaming experience.

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