Riot Games launches first competitive rulebook for VALORANT Esports. In anticipation of the First Strike match, Riot Games published the first competitive rules and policy manual for VALORANT esports. The rulebook comes from the head of competitive operations for VALORANT esports, Alex Francois. In the text, the rules and policies outlined will “serve as the cornerstones of VALORANT esports.”
The blog post written by Francois, states that feedback from players, fans, and tournament organizers has been “invaluable in helping [Riot] identify the necessary structures to ensure the current, and future, competitive integrity of our sport.” The VALORANT Global Competition Policy encompasses everything from the age of participants to approved team names and fitting uniforms. A broad section on competitive integrity is also included in the policy book, which examines possible problems such as match-fixing, bribery, and cheating.
“The vast majority of rule violations can be prevented by writing clear rules,” Francois writes. The VALORANT team aims to provide competitors with “greatest possible clarity and transparency” regarding competitive policy.
“To further supplement our competitive policies and ensure fair play,” Francois continues, “we’ve built a strong partnership with the VALORANT anti-cheat team.” The anti-cheat team will aid in identifying players who exhibit suspicious behavior, and help the VALORANT team level the tournament’s playing field.
In terms of Riot-sanctioned VALORANT competitions, the rulebook itself bans cheating, match-fixing, gambling, and receiving gifts. Players are also prohibited from playing under the Riot ID of another player, or from using any unapproved devices in the match area of a tournament. This rule also prohibits social media access for players when in a match field.
Riot has also forbidden the use of any abusive or offensive language while participating in “a Live Event, Online Event, Media Event or in any communication relating to any Official Competition or VALORANT.” Players are also prevented from participating in “unethical, immoral, or disgraceful” behavior during an event, as determined by the tournament organizer.
Outside of the Riot Roster Lock Periods, teams will only be able to make roster changes, which will “change from year to year.” Teams are also forbidden from using geographic areas in their team names, although they can use up to one name for the sponsor.
Players will be required to “accept and agree to abide by” the rules and policies before participating in any official Riot-sanctioned VALORANT tournaments. First Strike will be the first of these events, taking place later this year across multiple regions worldwide.
[image: Wallpaper Abyss]
