Faria<\/strong>: Oh, it feels so good. It feels incredible. You know, ’23 has been a special year for us because it’s the first year where we’re really seeing all of VCT, we launched these three new international leagues and launched a new system and partnership with the teams.<\/p>\nAnd being able to end the year and conclude the season at home with the house party, seeing all of Riot here activating, you know, building on top of the show — it’s been really special. It’s also our first champions in the America’s. Been a lot in EMEA for the past couple of years, for a number of reasons, including pandemic and covid. This year we’ve been to Brazil to Tokyo. But now, finally being here in North America, where we probably have one of our biggest, most passionate communities around the world. It’s been great. I mean the vibes are awesome. <\/p>\n
The crew producing the show, they’re like “I can’t believe I’m sleeping in my own bed,” because they travel so much for these shows around the world. So it’s been really cool for all of us.<\/p>\n
The VCT Champions stage at the KIA Forum. (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff\/Riot Games)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGINX: What’s been a personal highlight for you so far from this Championships?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nFaria<\/strong>: So at the start of the year we decided to reorientate on the visual identity of our shows, right? So if you look at our shows up until Champions, just simple. Until Game Changers in Berlin last year, they had a very distinct look. Going into this year we built what we called the Battle Arena. It’s the 12-sided stage we debuted at Lock-In. And we’ve been iterating and growing that. <\/p>\nThis, right here, is the ultimate manifestation of that Battle Arena. So when I walked here for the first time, we had just finished building and putting together, loading in all the major pieces. It was really special, like I was stunned. I was trying hard not to cry because if it felt so special we put so much work into it and we care so much about everything, all the little details; how the stage is lit, the straight lines that make it feel very much like VALORANT, and how the desks are facing each other so we create tension between pros. Seeing it in all of its, you know, magnitude and beauty — it was awesome. And even more awesome being here on day one, seeing fans walk in, pull their phones out and take a photo and you know, people freaking out. That’s why we do what we do. It felt incredible.<\/p>\n
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GINX: I did the same thing, up in the stands like “this is amazing.” I’ve not seen an arena like it and it does take your breath away.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nFaria<\/strong>: That’s really cool to hear.<\/p>\n
The Opening Ceremony. (Photo by Christian Betancourt\/Riot Games)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGINX: We’ve seen some pros comment on the various changes that VALORANT has undergone with the VCT format. How do you handle the feedback? <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nFaria<\/strong>: So, it’s challenging. When we hear feedback from pros, what we have to take into consideration is our community is so diverse. If you think about Riot as a game developer and publisher, it’s a very direct relationship with players.<\/p>\nIt’s Riot — we develop the game, we publish the game, our players play it. If you look at esports, we have so many different partners. We have pros, we have teams, we have sponsors, we have tournament organizers, we have players’ associations. And each one of those parties they’re looking at their world, their interests. They’re looking at their lives and their careers. <\/p>\n
So, usually those complaints make a lot of sense from their perspective, right? Of course a team owner who wants to be on tier one of the VCT, they’re not going to be a fan of the partnership system, right? Of course, the player who is qualifying for every global event and playing everything they’ll be like “oh, I’m so tired. There’s so much to play.”<\/p>\n
\nWe were the League of Legends company for 10 years, right? And being able to do it again with another competitive game that has been resonating so much with fans, all around the world. It feels special.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
A player who’s not qualifying for global events will look at the calendar and say, “Oh, there’s not enough for me to play,” and from their perspective, all of those things make sense. But we have a responsibility to look at every perspective and make a decision that’s better for the sport. And the reality is, what’s better for the sport is never going to be perfect for everyone. <\/p>\n
So, y’know, it’s part of the job. At the end of the day whenever conversation gets heated I always remind myself that people only complain about what they care about, right? They are complaining because they love VALORANT, because they want to be part of it. Otherwise people would just go do something else.<\/p>\n
And there are so many amazing games and things they can do, you know, like in 2023 as far as entertainment choices. We’re always just super grateful that they choose VALORANT, and we’ll always be listening. We’re always going to try and experiment, and if things don’t work I have no problem like, Riot has no problems admitting a mistake and saying, “Yep, we tried something. It didn’t work. We’re going to try something else.” <\/p>\n
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