Nearly four years after Riot Games first revealed plans to bring Valorant to mobile devices, the company has confirmed the much-anticipated spinoff is finally on its way—starting with China. Chinese gamers are now able to pre-register for an early playtest, marking a significant milestone for the mobile version of Riot’s popular first-person shooter.
Valorant Mobile is being developed in collaboration with Chinese studio LightSpeed Studios, the team behind the successful mobile versions of PUBG and Apex Legends Mobile. Riot officially announced the China-first rollout via a Weibo post on April 18, noting that this marks the beginning of a phased release strategy. The company has not yet provided a timeline for other regions, simply stating that the launch is “starting in China and taking it from there.”
This initial test phase is expected to include access to exclusive in-game rewards such as collectible player cards, which players can earn through special missions during the test. Riot also released a new trailer and gameplay video—both currently unlisted—highlighting a mobile experience that closely mirrors the PC and console versions in terms of gameplay, UI, and competitive structure.
Valorant’s arrival on mobile isn’t surprising, given the trajectory of the genre. Following in the footsteps of franchise giants like Call of Duty and PUBG, whose mobile versions expanded their audiences significantly, Riot’s move appears calculated and timely. China, with its vast and mobile-centric gaming market, represents a strategic starting point. According to a recent report by Niko Partners, mobile games accounted for over 70% of the total video game revenue in China last year, making it the ideal launchpad for Valorant Mobile.
While the game’s core remains rooted in tactical, team-based combat, it’s clear that Riot and LightSpeed have worked to adapt the game mechanics for touchscreen play. Early feedback from previous limited internal testing in China indicated that the mobile version delivers a surprisingly smooth and intuitive experience. Valorant Mobile features the same agents, maps, and round-based mechanics that players on PC and console have grown to love, but with touch-optimized controls and mobile-specific adjustments to UI and in-game communication.
Industry experts suggest that Riot is treading carefully after observing the lifecycle of other mobile shooters. For instance, Apex Legends Mobile—also developed by LightSpeed—saw a strong initial reception but was sunset in 2023 due to sustainability issues. Valorant Mobile seems to be avoiding a global simultaneous launch to ensure technical stability and user retention, especially in a highly competitive market.
No specific global release date has been mentioned yet, though Riot has hinted that data gathered from the Chinese launch will influence decisions on expanding to other territories. With millions of players worldwide and an esports scene still thriving, the demand for a portable version of Valorant is high. A global rollout seems inevitable, but Riot appears committed to a methodical approach.
In the meantime, the Chinese player base is getting an early glimpse of what could become the next big thing in mobile esports. Whether Valorant Mobile can replicate the success of its PC counterpart remains to be seen, but Riot’s careful planning suggests it’s playing the long game.
