Why has VALORANT proven to be such a hit with many streamers and pro players? According to Shroud, it’s a lot easier to get into than its main competitor.
It’s not an easy gig, being a streamer. It may look like it’s all fun and games (and literally playing games), but the hours spent behind the scenes - editing, practicing and everything in between - cannot be understated. Not to mention the uncertainty of it all. Now more than ever, livelihoods are in danger. You have to be able to adapt to the audience and trends of the time.
Right now, few titles are hotter than VALORANT. Riot Games’ tactical shooter is in closed beta at the moment (set for release in the Summer of 2020), and potential viewers around the world are craving content. Luckily for them, streaming sensations such as Shroud are happy to oblige. In fact, according to him, VALORANT has one huge asset that may make it the game to overthrow Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: accessibility.
As Dexerto reports, the one-time CS pro was asked during a stream how he felt about VALORANT’s potential at this early stage. Could it outstrip the established CS:GO and become the new game to watch (literally and figuratively)?
“Probably,” Shroud responded. “…because it’s a much easier game to get into, much more pleasing to the eye, like a little bit more casual. Counter-Strike is a little bit more hardcore – a little bit more, but, you never know. With the Source 2 stuff that they plan to do, maybe it’ll be insane, who knows.”
VALORANT is only just hitting the scene, of course, so Shroud is right to be cagey. Still, if Valve can’t keep on top of CS:GO when VALORANT launches, they may have a heck of a fight on their hands.