‘Valorant’: Riot Confirms Controversial Feature On New Game

Riot Games’ upcoming first-person shooter “Valorant” is already making headlines and controversies even before its release.

While it is already known that the game will implement skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in its Ranked playlist, it surprised a lot of fans when game director Joe Ziegler confirmed that the feature will also be implemented in the unranked category – which Riot calls “Unrated.”

A fan posted the question on Twitter, and Ziegler answered with a straightforward response: “There will be skill based matchmaking in unrated.”

This means that “Valorant” players will be pitted against those who have a similar skill level. With that said, those who win consistently will be matched up against another who does the same.

While games like “Fortnite,” “Apex Legends” and “Call of Duty” have skill-based matchmaking, it doesn’t mean it is a welcome addition for most players. After all, the feature has been much-talked-about in recent years, especially for frequent and skilled players.

With SBMM, top-ranked players won’t have the opportunity to play casually and enjoy the game without being too serious. It is made to protect casual gamers who mostly comprise the majority of the player-base, helping them to avoid getting beat down by highly skilled players.

Put simply, the skill-based matchmaking feature seems to only benefit the casual players.

However, it is worth noting that early reviews about “Valorant” seem to emphasize the need for actual skills to play and thrive in the game. The upcoming FPS is described as a “5v5 character-based tactical shooter,” which means players need to work on a bigger team unlike the current battle royale games out in the market.

Moreover, most fans also see the upcoming Riot game as more competitive, which should suggest that playing “Valorant” is not really intended for casual gamers. With that said, having an SBMM feature isn’t entirely a bad thing.

Players will have to wait and see until the game is launched to make an accurate judgment of how SBMM will impact the overall “Valorant” experience and whether it will be as unfair as what others make it be.

The game is slated to be released on PC in the summer of 2020.