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The Chinese government has made a final call on popular esports title Valorant, with the Riot Games title set to be made available.
The National Press and Publication Administration made the announcement that Valorant and five other Riot Games titles would soon be accessible in China.
Up until this point, players in China were forced to subject themselves to the use of a virtual private network (VPn) to access Valorant through Hong Kong servers in order to play the game.
Despite these restrictions, several professional teams, including EDward Gaming, were able to thrive and even participate in the Champions event earlier this year.
In August last year, China’s video game market saw a decline as a result of the temporary suspension of video game licenses in the country. Prior to this ban, the Chinese government had already put in place stringent regulations that restricted the amount of time young people were allowed to spend playing video games.
Prior to this development, Valorant was not permitted to be released or played in China due to concerns over its content and themes. The government cited the violent nature of the game and the potential for it to promote “negative values” as the main reasons for the ban.
The decision came as a disappointment to many Chinese gamers and esports fans, as Valorant had become a popular choice for competitive play around the world. The Riot Games-developed and published tactical first-person shooter game has gained a large following for its fast-paced gameplay and tactical depth.
Other games were also banned in the country by the Chinese government for similar reasons. The government’s increased oversight of the gaming industry was said to be in order to protect young people from potentially harmful content.
According to a November report by CNBC, the strict limitations implemented in China have resulted in children spending less time playing video games. Both the China Game Industry Group Committee and research firm CNG have commended the measures taken.
Riot Games has benefited from having 27 servers for Valorant in China, which has allowed millions of players to access the game. However, due to a regulatory change, it is uncertain whether Chinese players will now be able to access their own servers without using a virtual private network. China is a significant market for video game companies, and this change could potentially impact the success of Valorant in the country.
The release of Valorant in China will not only bring in revenue for Riot Games and other companies involved in the industry, but it also presents a new opportunity for Chinese esports players to compete at a global level. China has a large and dedicated esports community, and this move will allow them to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
The approval of Valorant’s release in China is not only a significant milestone for the esports industry, but it also highlights the growing mainstream acceptance of esports around the world. Esports has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a niche hobby, and it is now a multi-billion dollar industry with a dedicated following of millions of fans.
With the approval of Valorant’s release in China, it is clear that the future of esports is bright and the industry is here to stay.
