Valorant is scarier for Overwatch than it is for Counter-Strike

Valorant © Riot Games

Let’s break it down: ‪Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has a rich history, thriving community, and an established esports scene.‬ Overwatch is a comparatively recent title with a rapidly declining player base and an esports league that is hemorrhaging viewers. ‬And now a new challenger approaches.

There is a world where Valorant and CS:GO can exist simultaneously. However I have a hard time seeing where Overwatch beats out either title — especially in its current state. Riot has proven it knows how to grow and foster a strong esports scene, and will enter the space with almost unlimited funds and backing. They consistently hired veteran and respected developers to help them balance and fine tune League of Legends, and that trend continued with Valorant. They’ve shown they understand what the competitive community demands from a game like this and have reiterated their dedication to getting it right. 

Compare that to Blizzard’s recent message of taking this next season of Overwatch updates to experiment and “try out new things”. Competitive communities want consistency, so their time and efforts to learn and develop their skills are rewarded. Experimentation in game design on a live product might keep a game fresh and new for the casual player, but it stifles the competitive community when it is done too often or taken to extremes.