From Dreams to Champions: Daniel Ringland on the VALORANT Premier System and talent pipeline
Just ahead of the 2024 VCT EMEA Playoffs Grand Finals between Fnatic and Team Vitality, I sat down with Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports for EMEA, to hear some of his thoughts on the current model for the VALORANT Premier system, as well as the current state of the talent pipeline for new players wanting to come into the scene.
One of the biggest concerns for any large-scale competitive game is always the talent pipeline. Ensuring that there remains a steady supply of younger, hungrier players looking to supplant the current guard not only incentivises the highest level of competition within the talent pool, but it also allows for consistent evolution and the melding of more and more spirit together in an effort to create something truly great.
Therefore, when looking at a large-scale model such as competitive VALORANT, where there are now, in 2024, 3 distinct tiers feeding from one to the next: premier, regional circuits (challengers), and the international leagues.
It is a scaling pyramid with the intention to provide a, as Daniel put, “clear and transparent path to pro.” “We want to be able to create as many opportunities for players to play their way as much as possible,” he said, when speaking on the introduction of the VALORANT regional circuits (challengers) and the driving motivation behind the concept’s introduction.
"A Clear, Transparent Path to Pro"
“We want you to be able to understand - ‘what do I need to do to become pro?’”
“So, when I think of the schedule, and the format this year, I think there’s a lot of things we like. Like, ultimately, the schedule and the format have created some really exciting games. There’s been a lot of upsets. There’s been teams that have come out of nowhere and done really well,” he continued.
Team Heretics, Gen.G, and KRU Esports have all done incredibly well this year, despite low expectations being placed on all 3 of those teams. Moreover, teams such as FunPlus Phoenix and Team Vitality have also started finding solid footing domestically and shown promise internationally (in the case of the former).
“Like, we’re seeing players go from Tier 3 to Tier 2, we’re seeing players go from Tier 2 to Tier 1, we’re seeing players go from Tier 2 to the international stage. So, we think broadly, that the structure is good and is working.”
He continued: “If you’re an aspirational VALORANT player, we want you to know what the steps are you need to go through.” Daniel admitted it would still be “hard”, “because it wouldn’t be worth doing if it’s easy."
Gentle Mates, who made the steep climb through Ascension into VCT EMEA in 2023. (credit: Hara Amorós / Riot Games / LVP / lag)As a followup, I questioned Daniel on the motivation behind designing a system that included such a rich variety of Tier 2 leagues. What he answered, was that essentially what they envisioned, was a system that brought together the "play experience" and the "watch experience."
In essence, the first two levels (premier and challenger leagues) work to bridge that gap between those that watch the games and those who play it at the professional level. Narratively, it's beautiful and exciting to envision the journeys, and systemically, it makes sense to add clarity to a system that intend to promote, encourage and reward those who wish to attempt the climb.
Building a pipeline that works
Coming from a background of following Counter-Strike for many years, I often compare the Tier 2 scene in that particular FPS as the ‘Wild West’ in many ways.
The concept for Counter-Strike and the older esports games was very much a meritocracy but also very dependent on uncontrollable factors in many ways. You play your way up, and if you were good enough AND got recognized by the right people, then you got to go to the big boy leagues.
BUT, as was often the case, even now in VALORANT, absolutely brilliant talent continues to slip through the cracks. The spotlight will only ever be that large and not every prospect gets to have that luxury.
“Philosophically, when we started building VALORANT, we didn’t want to copy any other sport,” said Daniel. “We wanted to learn from the sports, and then build something unique and special for VALORANT.”
He admitted that at the time, they “didn’t know exactly what that was”, so, to find out, they “needed to be ready to experiment.” “We needed to be ready to take some calculated risks… and then be honest with ourselves.”
“Challengers…there was a lot that was good and there was a lot that was working,” he said. “It was good, but we wanted it to be great.”
The introduction of the challenger leagues, or as Riot calls it, the regional circuits, was created to offer a clearer opportunity for young talent to test themselves in a shallower albeit still well-maintained environment that would allow them to grow into the talent they could be.
“It’s going to give the best Tier 2 players more opportunities to play against the best Tier 2 players, which is going to give them a chance to show how great they are, and increase the chances of them getting picked up by teams.”
In VCT EMEA alone in 2024, Wo0t, Riens, Miniboo, most of the Karmine Corp roster, Hiro, and so many more names that have blazed brightly this year, all spent last year in the Challenger leagues, proving that in the short term at least, the system works.
Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukaševičius, one of the hottest young prospects in VCT EMEA in 2024, spent the year before in Challengers. (credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games)However, with recent news of some of the leagues merging, spots will inevitably shrink in number, but I anticipate the quality of the talent that will continue to come through will not dilute.
Read More: Riot Games Announces Major Changes to VALORANT EMEA for 2025
Premier as the Final Block and Narrative Power as the Driving Force
“I think Premier is a really great product [...] We’re happy with it and it’s something that we think is important to VALORANT and we’re committed to it. Moreover we’re seeing that system work,” Daniel said.
The introduction of the premier system with the launch of Episode 8 at the start of 2024 served as an interesting addition to the pipeline system as well as a key point of conversation between myself and Daniel.
“You could put together a premier mode team, and then if we do well, all of a sudden, we’re in Challengers. Then we’re picked up, or maybe we even Ascend. And then we’re on the global stage. That’s an incredible journey and it is actually something that people can and will do.”
The introduction of Premier has been a wildly popular since its release, as it offered more casual players an opportunity to play within a more structured system, with a deeper emphasis on pre-game preparation such as crafting strategies and compositions
“One thing I found when I played in Premiere was that it felt like a real tournament to me. I felt some of that structure and tournament,” he said. “I think I kinda got some of those highs of feeling like I was competing in something a bit more structured. So really, it was about bringing the play experience and the watch experience together for the everyday player.”
The impression I gathered from my time speaking with Daniel on the concept and inspiration behind the current system for EMEA’s talent pipeline, was that narrative was a big draw factor in the design.
Dreaming of going pro and then having this laid out path - if you were good enough - that could eventually lead to lifting a Champions trophy. It’s an intriguing notion and one that I can clearly see in how it has all been laid out. After all, who doesn't love a good hero's tale?
From obscurity to World Champion in 1 year. Max "Demon1" Mazanov in 2023 on EG. (credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)“We’ve seen with a lot of our global events this year, like rookies have gone in, just turned it upside down,'' said Daniel. “And let’s be honest, that is freaking exciting.”
Narratives are an important aspect of Riot's brand, throughout their various products, and it's easy to see why - the narratives drive the emotions. Fans love it to cheer for an underdog like Evil Geniuses last year, or feel emotional when Deft finally lifted the Summoner's Cup.
So, the next time you watch an EMEA Challengers series, or queue up with your 5-stack for Premier, just remember, you may have just set yourself down a path towards future stardom. Dreams into Champions, EMEA VALORANT has never looked quite as interesting as it does now, and I for one, can not wait to see new generations of superstars emerge.
Disclaimer: “The author’s travel expenses to attend the event were provided by Riot Games.”
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Credit: Riot Games
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