After years of speculation and occasional leaks, Valorant Mobile is no longer just a rumor. Riot Games has officially confirmed that the mobile version of its popular tactical shooter, Valorant, is coming soon and will initially be released in China.
Riot Games announced that pre-registrations for Valorant Mobile are now open to Chinese players. Those who sign up will not just get early access to the game but also receive exclusive in-game player cards as rewards for completing specific missions. This move confirms that the project is in an advanced stage, and internal playtests have already been carried out in the region.
While there is no word yet on when the game will be available in other countries, Riot stated that the rollout will “start in China and take it from there.” This is in line with how many major game launches are handled these days, especially when the publisher wants to fine-tune gameplay mechanics and server infrastructure before going global.
The decision to begin the rollout in China is not surprising. China is the largest mobile gaming market in the world. It accounts for a significant share of the global gaming industry’s revenue. According to reports, the Chinese mobile gaming market was valued at nearly $45 billion in 2024 alone. Releasing Valorant Mobile here first gives Riot access to a massive and highly engaged player base.
It also helps that Riot is backed by Tencent, one of the most powerful tech and gaming giants in China. In fact, the development of Valorant Mobile is being handled by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, a Tencent-owned developer responsible for other popular mobile shooters like PUBG Mobile and Apex Legends Mobile. This partnership ensures that Valorant Mobile is in experienced hands when it comes to optimizing shooters for touchscreen gameplay.
Even though official details about the gameplay are limited, early reports suggest that the mobile version will include 16 agents and two exclusive maps at launch. Riot appears to be taking a page from its PC version and aims to retain the core tactical experience while adapting it for mobile devices.
Players can likely expect tight gunplay, strategic team-based combat, and agent abilities that mirror the PC experience. But the game will feature a new control scheme tailored for touchscreens. It remains to be seen how Riot will tackle the usual mobile FPS challenges, such as aim precision and UI clutter.
The launch of Valorant Mobile continues a trend we have been seeing over the past few years—major console and PC shooters making their way to mobile. From Call of Duty: Mobile to PUBG Mobile, the genre has seen tremendous success on smaller screens. Even Apex Legends Mobile had its moment before being shut down in 2023 due to a lack of long-term support and engagement.
While Riot has not revealed a timeline for a global rollout, it is safe to assume that it will happen eventually, likely after the Chinese version is stable and feedback has been incorporated. The global gaming community is buzzing with anticipation, and given the success of the console port of Valorant on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S last year, it is clear that Riot is committed to expanding the franchise across platforms.
While many PC-to-mobile ports often end up feeling like watered-down versions of their originals, Valorant Mobile could break the mold. Riot’s careful approach, the expertise of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, and a gameplay style that rewards precision and planning over sheer speed make it an ideal candidate for mobile.
However, the challenge will be to maintain competitive integrity. Will Valorant Mobile support controller inputs? Will it offer cross-play with console or PC? How will Riot deal with potential balance issues on mobile? These are questions that players will be eager to see answered in the coming months.
