Riot Games has released the first competitive rules and policies handbook for VALORANT esports ahead of the First Strike event. The rulebook comes from Alex Francois, the head of competitive operations for VALORANT esports. The rules and policies outlined in the document will “serve as the cornerstones of VALORANT esports.”

The blog post, written by Francois, states that feedback from players, fans, and tournament organizers has been “invaluable in helping [Riot] identify the necessary structures to ensure the current, and future, competitive integrity of our sport.” The VALORANT Global Competition Policy covers everything from competitor age to approved team names and acceptable uniforms. The policy book also includes a large section on competitive integrity, which addresses potential issues like match-fixing, bribery, and cheating.

“The vast majority of rule violations can be prevented by writing clear rules,” Francois writes. The VALORANT team aims to provide competitors with “greatest possible clarity and transparency” regarding competitive policy.

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“To further supplement our competitive policies and ensure fair play,” Francois continues, “we’ve built a strong partnership with the VALORANT anti-cheat team.” The anti-cheat team will aid in identifying players who exhibit suspicious behavior, and help the VALORANT team level the tournament's playing field.

The rulebook itself forbids cheating, match-fixing, gambling, and accepting gifts in regards to Riot-sanctioned VALORANT tournaments. Players are also prohibited from playing under another person’s Riot ID, or using any unapproved devices in a tournament’s match area. This rule also forbids players from accessing social media while in a match area.

Riot has also forbidden the use of any abusive or offensive language while participating in “a Live Event, Online Event, Media Event or in any communication relating to any Official Competition or VALORANT.” Players are also prevented from participating in “unethical, immoral, or disgraceful” behavior during an event, as determined by the tournament organizer.

Teams will only be allowed to make roster changes outside of the Riot Roster Lock Periods, which will “change from year to year.” Teams are also prohibited from using geographic locations in their team names, though they can include up to one sponsor name.

Players will be required to “accept and agree to abide by” the rules and policies before participating in any official Riot-sanctioned VALORANT tournaments. First Strike will be the first of these events, taking place later this year across multiple regions worldwide.

Source: Riot Games

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