Written by Following a long wait time and regulatory complexities, VALORANT Mobile, or VALORANT: Energy Operation, as it has come to be known in China, has hit its final preparation stages prior to launch.
Pre-register for the game was opened on April 21, 2025, as announced on the Huawei App Store and tied in with the future Tencent Spark 2025 event, where gameplay and trailer unveil will take place.
VALORANT Mobile had several closed beta tests in China beginning in approximately 2023, before the public beta went live in September 2024. This public beta removed the NDA restrictions so that players and content creators could play and stream the game and offer feedback.
Riot Games has also added mobile-only features like a native replay and highlights mechanism and HUD settings to tailor gameplay for handheld devices.
China’s regulatory framework has traditionally been difficult for overseas games, necessitating a lengthy approval process. VALORANT Mobile was granted official approval from China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) in June 2024.
The approval followed after the PC version of VALORANT itself took three years to penetrate the Chinese market.
The China launch of VALORANT Mobile is significant due to the country’s huge mobile gaming market, which has a value of around $44.8 billion in 2024.
The esports ecosystem of China is focused on mobile games, and games such as Honor of Kings have multi-million dollar prize pools for tournaments.
VALORANT has already developed a large following in China since VCT China was introduced in 2024, and going mobile is likely to increase its presence and competitive scene. Riot Games has made hints regarding the potential for a VALORANT Mobile VCT league, although there are no confirmed details.
Though the Chinese edition of VALORANT Mobile is going strong, the global launch schedule is yet to be decided. Riot Games is working on a different worldwide version, and there has not been an official global launch date announced as of now.
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Top 5 Things to Know About VALORANT Mobile Release in China
1. Official Pre-Registration and Launch Timing
On April 21, 2025, Riot Games, along with Tencent, formally opened up the pre-registration process for the game on top Chinese app store platforms, including Huawei App Store. This process is important as players can pre-reserve their spot before the formal launch.
Pre-registrations are a standard ploy employed by game developers as a way to generate buzz and test the ground for player curiosity prior to release. For VALORANT Mobile, pre-registering has multiple benefits:
- Player Base Building: It assists Riot Games and Tencent to estimate the initial player base and demand for servers.
- Marketing Momentum: The pre-registration process creates hype and interest within the gaming community among VALORANT fans who have been waiting for a mobile version eagerly.
- Reward Incentives: Players who pre-register typically receive exclusive cosmetic items, in-game currency, or other perks.
The pre-registration date-timing is coordinated with the Tencent SPARK 2025 event date of April 22, 2025. It is a gaming event where Tencent announces new games, new updates, and new partnerships. Riot Games will utilize this event platform to:
- Unveil Official Gameplay Trailers: Demonstrating the mobile version’s graphics, gameplay, and features optimized for Chinese players.
- Announce Launch Dates: Though pre-registration is currently ongoing, the official release date for VALORANT Mobile in China is still expected to be announced during the event.
- Reveal Esports Plans: Tencent and Riot will also possibly disclose the competitive pipeline for VALORANT Mobile, such as probable tournaments and leagues.
2. Developed in Partnership with LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS and Tencent
The creation of VALORANT Mobile in China is a joint strategic effort involving Riot Games and Tencent, and LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS having a position in porting the game on mobile.
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is a Tencent-owned studio with a strong reputation for building great mobile shooters. The studio is most famous for creating PUBG Mobile, one of the best-selling battle royale titles on mobile globally.
Their experience handling PUBG Mobile has provided them with knowledge in mobile shooter gameplay, optimization across different devices, and providing a multiplayer experience on mobile networks.
By commissioning LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS with the development of VALORANT Mobile, Riot Games taps this experience to guarantee that the mobile version maintains the essential tactical shooter gameplay of the PC original but is equally optimized for touch inputs, smaller screens, and limitations of mobile hardware.
Tencent is a powerful player in the Chinese gaming market and owns a majority stake in Riot Games. Their participation in the development and distribution of VALORANT Mobile in China is pivotal for the following reasons:
- Regulatory Navigation: Tencent has a understanding of China’s rigorous gaming regulations and approval processes.
- Distribution and Marketing: Tencent’s massive distribution ecosystem, such as the Huawei App Store and Tencent’s own App Store, means that VALORANT Mobile finds millions of would-be players immediately and with high efficiency.
- Esports Ecosystem: Tencent’s strong esports foundation within China will support a strong structure for constructing leagues and competitions around VALORANT Mobile.
The migration from PC to mobile isn’t a port; it is reimagining controls, user interface, and pacing to match mobile hardware. LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS has been charged with:
- Control Optimization: Creating natural touch controls that capture the precision and tactical depth of the PC version, with features such as customizable HUD layout and gyroscope aiming support.
- Performance Optimization: Having the game run smoothly on a spectrum of devices, from top-of-the-line smartphones to mid-range models prevalent in China.
- Gameplay Fidelity: Preserving the fundamental 5v5 tactical shooter gameplay, agent powers, and strategy that characterize VALORANT.
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3. China-Exclusive Initial Release
China is the largest gaming market for mobile devices globally, earning tens of billions of dollars in yearly revenue, estimated at approximately $44.8 billion in 2024.
By focusing on a single market first, the developers can optimize the performance, balance, and user experience of the game based on actual player feedback in a controlled environment.
China has one of the mostrigorous regulatory systems for video games, such as content censorship, licensing, and approval procedures. Exclusivity in China allows Riot and Tencent to fully comply with local laws and cultural sensitivities before contemplating a worldwide launch.
Tencent’s leadership in China’s gaming market including ownership of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS and wide distribution channels, positions China as the natural first market for VALORANT Mobile.
Localization is more than just translation; it means modifying agent names, voice-overs, UI, and in-game text to appeal culturally to Chinese gamers.
Chinese laws usually call for changes in game content, including alterations in blood effects, character art, or storylines, to balance with government requirements.
Monetization plans and the in-game economy are designed according to Chinese market conventions, which could be different from Western counterparts in terms of pricing, reward systems, and cosmetic items.
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4. Multiple Beta Tests and Gameplay Features
The launch and rollout of VALORANT Mobile in China have been by a series of closed and public beta tests, each aimed at polishing the game’s mechanics and optimizing the mobile player experience.
These beta tests have been instrumental for Riot Games and Tencent to make sure that the mobile version meets the high bar set by the original PC version while delivering on the expectations of mobile players in China.
VALORANT Mobile’s development started with China closed beta tests, which were initiated as far back as August 2023. The closed betas involved a limited set of players to enable the developers to receive concentrated feedback on primary gameplay mechanics, controls, and performance across multiple mobile devices.
The closed format of these tests allowed Riot Games to implement iterative changes without being under the threat of public criticism.
After the closed betas, VALORANT Mobile launched into public beta testing. This phase availability to a wider segment, removing NDA and enabling players to stream, share feedback publicly, and create buzz among gamers.
Public beta gave us important insights into how well the game played in real-world situations, such as server stability, matchmaking, and device compatibility.
Leaked gameplay footage from the betas featured a product that is very similar to the PC version, complete with classic maps, agent powers, and play intact.
A main challenge for Riot Games was taking VALORANT’s tactical shooter mechanics and translating them to the mobile experience. The development team went through great lengths to make the fundamental gameplay experience feel genuine while adding features geared towards mobile players.
VALORANT Mobile has a customizable HUD that enables players to customize button positions for movement, firing, and abilities according to their preferences and screen sizes.
The game comes with touch controls for moving, aiming, and ability deployment. For example, strafing is managed on the left side of the screen, whereas aiming and view changes are taken care of on the right. There are special buttons for movements such as crouching, jumping, and firing.
The betas have assisted the developers in tuning performance on a spectrum of Android and iOS devices to ensure clean gameplay on mid-range smartphones.
A built-in replay and highlights system is included by Riot Games, a feature desirable for content creators and competitive gamers.
While retaining the strategic depth of the PC version, VALORANT Mobile adds mobile-relevant features like rapid match and possibly exclusive cosmetic items to make the game more convenient for play on the move.
5. Esports Potential and Future Plans
China is a global esports powerhouse. It has millions of fans and gamers competing in play across titles. Mobile esports has been on a rocket fuelled expansion, spurred on by titles such as Honor of Kings, Peacekeeper Elite (the Chinese equivalent of PUBG Mobile), and League of Legends: Wild Rift.
Against this backdrop, bringing VALORANT Mobile to China’s market is an attempt to leverage the nation’s rich talent pool and avid esports community. The shooter gameplay of the game provides a new choice for the mobile esports titles that currently dominate the market.
Riot Games publicly suggested the existence of a possibility to introduce a Valorant Champions Tour league for the mobile version in China. The VCT is Riot’s international competitive circuit for the PC version of VALORANT, with regional leagues, global tournaments, and a world championship. Adding a mobile VCT league would:
- Establish Formal Competitive Play: Create a formalized competitive setting for VALORANT Mobile players from amateur to pro.
- Attract Sponsorship and Investment: A professional league attracts sponsors, advertisers, and esports organizations.
- Build a Fanbase: Regular tournaments and leagues create sustained interest, community involvement, and media attention.
- Create Career Opportunities: Professional players, coaches, analysts, and content creators can establish careers based on VALORANT Mobile esports.
Although there has been no official announcement about the exact format or schedule for a mobile VCT league, the current infrastructure and Riot’s experience in PC esports indicate that such plans are already quite advanced.
Tencent’s role comes into play here. Being a large esports organizer and promoter in China, Tencent has the capital to:
- Host Large-Scale Tournaments: Tencent’s event history with activities such as the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup allows it to host VALORANT Mobile tournaments with high production quality.
- Take Advantage of Streaming Platforms: Tencent has large streaming platforms including Huya and Douyu, which can stream VALORANT Mobile esports to millions of viewers.
- Build Grassroots and Amateur Scenes: Tencent can sponsor amateur leagues and community tournaments that feed into the professional ecosystem.
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