The highly anticipated VALORANT Champions 2023 bundle, known for its unique design and rarity, has left fans slightly disappointed after glimpsing what could have been. While this year’s collection was impressive, fans couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness when they saw concept art showcasing regional variants that were not included in the final product.
The Champions 2023 collection, which contributed half of its proceeds to Riot and split the other half among the 16 participating teams, featured a Vandal and Kunai knife melee skin, a player card, a gun buddy, and a spray featuring the beloved Wingman stealing the Champions trophy. The primary weapon skin offered various upgrades, including a Champion’s Aura and a stylized finisher playing the tournament anthem “Ticking Away.”
However, this year’s event emphasized regional rivalries more than ever before, making fans yearn for regional variants in the collection. Concept art by Riot’s senior concept artist Denis Lakhanov revealed additional color variants for the Vandal, representing each international region: EMEA, Pacific, and Americas.
The absence of regional variants in the Champions collection was surprising, considering the LOCK//IN collection earlier in the year had embraced this theme by offering player cards and melee variants for each region. Speculations arose that the exclusion of regional variants in the Champions collection might be due to China’s prominent role in the event, ensuring no region felt left out. Alternatively, it could simply be a design choice made by the Riot creators.
The concept art shared on various VALORANT influencer accounts sparked disappointment among fans who had hoped for regional variants. Lakhanov’s concept art also showcased different variations of the Kunai knife melee, indicating the team’s consideration of various shapes.
Overall, while the Champions 2023 collection was impressive, fans couldn’t help but feel a sense of missed opportunity with the absence of regional variants. The concept art revealed the potential for even more customization and representation, leaving fans longing for what could have been.
Source: DOTESPORTS
