Riot Games is set to give some much-needed attention to the underrated Tier Two scene in VALORANT esports. With new policies and integration of Premier in the VCT Challengers 2024 season, the semi-pro scene is in for a major overhaul. Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store.
New Policies to Boost Tier Two VALORANT
Riot Games is introducing three new policies for the upcoming Challengers season to integrate the international VCT leagues with the semi-pro scene:
- Affiliate Partnerships: International league partners can now form professional partnerships with teams in the Challengers and Game Changers circuits. This will help foster collaboration and support between the different tiers of competition.
- Two-Way Players: Substitute players in international league teams will have the option to participate in the affiliate partner team’s roster in Challengers and Game Changers. This allows them to gain valuable experience and stay active in competitive play throughout the year.
- Player Loans: International league teams can now loan players to rosters participating in Challengers and Game Changers. This provides opportunities for players to showcase their skills in different teams and competitions.
Premier Enters the VCT Challengers Ecosystem
In VCT Challengers 2024, Premier will become a path-to-pro experience. The first Promotion and Relegation event will give top Premier teams a chance to prove themselves against the best semi-pro teams in their regions. This will provide a platform for aspiring players to showcase their talent and potentially make their way into the professional scene.
The top Premier teams in each region will compete in a dedicated tournament bracket for a chance to earn a slot in the second stage of VCT Challengers 2024. More details about this event will be shared in November.
Benefits for Tier Two VALORANT
The new policies and integration of Premier in VCT Challengers 2024 offer several benefits for the Tier Two VALORANT scene:
- Improved Talent Development: The integration of international leagues with Challengers and Game Changers allows teams to easily discover and nurture new talent. Partnered organizations can support multiple professional and semi-professional rosters, contributing to the growth of Tier Two VALORANT.
- Opportunities for Substitute Players: With the introduction of two-way players, substitute players can actively participate in the competitive scene as part of their organization’s Challengers or Game Changers rosters. This ensures they remain in practice and provides a platform for them to showcase their skills.
- Scouting Potential: The new policies encourage partnered teams to scout for talent in the Tier Two scene. This opens up opportunities for aspiring players to be noticed and potentially make their way into the professional leagues.
- Promotion and Relegation: The addition of the Premier event in VCT Challengers 2024 gives dedicated ranked players a chance to prove themselves and develop their skills further. This creates a clear path for aspiring players to transition from the ranked ladder to the professional scene.
The changes implemented by Riot Games show a commitment to nurturing and supporting the Tier Two VALORANT scene. With these new policies and opportunities, the semi-pro scene is set to thrive and contribute to the growth of VALORANT esports as a whole.
Source: DOTESPORTS
