While we already know a number of details about the CSGO-like competitive FPS Valorant, perhaps one of those details that requires a bit more illumination is about the game’s free-to-play monetization. Luckily, we have some of those details, too.
As explained before, Valorant will not feature lootboxes, with the in-game store offering weapon skins and sprays that can be plastered on the map. These items can either be purchased or earned via a battle pass. Weapon skins can also be upgraded, though how exactly that works wasn’t explained.
We can also once more confirm that character skins will not be part of the in-game store. The reason given for this is to maintain “competitive integrity:” According to executive producer Anna Donlon, all of the game’s characters have the same hitbox and are meant to be identifiable at a distance, and changing character skins would rock that visual boat too much. That said, skins aren’t completely off of the table. “I think [character skins] would have to be in a way that there’s absolutely nothing to impact the gameplay,” said Donlon. “It’ll be narrow. I think there’s a way to do that. And those are things that we’re interested in exploring.”
In other and definitely flashier Valorant news, Riot dropped a brief teaser trailer for Phoenix this afternoon.
PHOENIX /// United Kingdom
"You already know the name"#VALORANT pic.twitter.com/ZVfw56TzHl— VALORANT (@PlayVALORANT) March 5, 2020
