The wait is finally over as Valorant Mobile has officially kicked off its pre-registration campaign in China. This announcement from Riot Games was unveiled during the Tencent Games’ annual conference, SPARK 2025. Developed in partnership with Lightspeed Studios, Valorant Mobile aims to bring the full tactical shooter experience to smartphones while maintaining the competitive edge of its PC counterpart.
Starting on April 21, 2025, players in China can pre-register for the game, which promises the same 5v5 competitive gameplay, slick agent abilities, and strategic gunplay that fans love, but optimized for touchscreen controls. Those who pre-register can look forward to a variety of exclusive rewards, including dynamic paint and limited cards. With this pre-registration, players will soon get a hands-on feel of how the game performs on mobile, while global players will have to wait for further announcements regarding the international launch.
Since 2024, speculation surrounding the launch of Valorant Mobile has been rampant, with many reports and even a press conference during the Valorant Champions 2025 event confirming the game's existence. Multiple closed betas were hosted within China, generating excitement among fans eager to experience the agent gameplay on mobile devices.
A recent post on the Huawei App Store in China confirmed the pre-registration date, stating, “VALORANT: Energy Operation pre-order starts on April 21.” This name, Energy Operation, is specifically for the Chinese market and aligns with previous documents approving the game’s launch in China.
As the mobile gaming industry was valued at approximately $44.8 billion in 2024, launching Valorant Mobile in China makes both monetary and strategic sense for Riot Games. The popularity of Valorant as one of the leading PC games globally has already established a significant fan base in China. This was evident during the Masters Bangkok event, where a considerable portion of the audience came from the region.
In their ongoing efforts to elevate mobile esports, Riot Games has hinted at the development of a VCT league for Valorant Mobile during the Valorant Champions 2024 press conference, although no official confirmation has been made yet. This potential league could create a competitive environment akin to that of its PC counterpart, further solidifying Valorant's position in the esports landscape.
Players can expect a gaming experience that closely mirrors the essential mechanics of its PC counterpart, emphasizing precision shooting, agent skill sets, and strategy-based team play. A completely new user interface and controls have been designed specifically for smartphones and tablets. Additionally, leaked gameplay has revealed an advanced training mode aimed at helping players perfect in-game mechanics such as jump peeking, which is crucial for situational awareness.
Another notable feature is the replay system, which allows players to revisit matches and analyze their gameplay. This system not only enhances performance but also aids in strategic planning and detecting potential cheating cases, contributing to a fairer gaming environment.
With the official announcement from Riot Games and Lightspeed Studios, the excitement around Valorant Mobile is palpable. The partnership with Lightspeed Studios, known for their expertise in mobile game development (including PUBG Mobile), adds credibility to the project and raises expectations for the mobile adaptation.
As the initial launch will be exclusive to China, Riot Games has committed to updating fans worldwide as their plans progress. The VALORANT team stated, “We’re excited to bring VALORANT Mobile to as many players as possible, but we’re starting in China and taking it from there.” This marks a significant milestone for the Valorant franchise, as mobile gamers globally eagerly await further updates on the game's release.
As the April 21 pre-registration date approaches, questions remain about the specifics of the global launch. While the Chinese gaming market's investment in mobile esports is substantial, the timing of Valorant Mobile's rollout outside of China is yet to be confirmed. Players worldwide are hopeful that the upcoming Tencent Spark event will shed light on these details, including gameplay reveals and trailers that will showcase what Valorant Mobile has to offer.
In summary, the launch of Valorant Mobile represents a pivotal moment in mobile gaming, with the potential to reshape the landscape of competitive esports on handheld devices. As the anticipation builds, players and fans alike are encouraged to stay tuned for more news and updates from Riot Games as they embark on this exciting new venture.
