Chongqing, the esports hotspot this August.
As the late summer light of August shines over this passionate land, the mountain city of Chongqing is engulfed by an unprecedented esports wave. From the 20th to the 24th, the Valorant Carnival grandly opened in this city. It wasn’t confined to a single venue but transformed the entire city into a massive stage, blending esports, music, art, and culture to break traditional perceptions of gaming and successfully carve out a new cultural domain of its own.
Valorant Mobile debuts as the carnival’s new driving force.
Among this grand event, a newcomer — Valorant Mobile (officially Valorant: Action Source) — stood out remarkably.
This mobile game officially launched on August 19th, quickly igniting player enthusiasm within just one week thanks to its lightweight, convenient, and highly social features unique to mobile platforms. It topped trending charts across major platforms, achieving #1 on iOS and Android free charts and reaching as high as #6 on the iOS paid charts. As the first offline event post-launch, it arrived at the Chongqing carnival with full momentum, becoming not only a “new guest” but also a “booster” that injected fresh energy into the carnival, expanded the boundaries of time and space, and forged a new deep connection between the IP and its users.
The whole city “Valorants,” showcasing a unique trendy side of Chongqing.
The arrival of Valorant Mobile brought a distinctive “Valorant-style trend” to the Chongqing carnival. From giant posters at the airport to themed subway tunnels; from trial zones in shopping districts to intense esports competitions, online and offline activities linked seamlessly, immersing the entire city in this esports celebration.
Places like Chaotianmen Square and Guanyinqiao were occupied by carefully crafted “Valorant-style districts.” These cyberpunk-inspired stage setups added a sci-fi flair to already trendy Chongqing, attracting passersby to stop and admire this unique visual feast.
Passion burns through every street and alley.
During the carnival, players immersed themselves in Valorant Mobile everywhere in Chongqing’s streets and alleys. On Chaotianmen Street, people played while waiting in line; at cafes, during breaks; even in between dancing at music parties, they never forgot to play a round on their phones. Valorant Mobile seemed to replace the traditional Mahjong pastime in Chongqing, becoming the new entertainment hero on everyone’s personal “battlefield.”
Players’ enthusiasm and creativity filled the event with vitality. They created MVP photo standees, banners, and other lively scenes. Along with joke contests and meme king competitions in the hype district, a lighthearted and humorous atmosphere permeated every corner of the carnival.
On the 24th, the Valorant Mobile celebrity exhibition match took place spectacularly at the Science Hall.
Star players such as Zhou Ye, Amber, and Fu Hang competed on the same stage. Their superb skills, especially Zhou Ye’s triple kill clutch with Reyna, sparked heated discussions online and reached #1 on Xiaohongshu’s trending list, showcasing Valorant Mobile’s tremendous competitive potential to the public.
Low entry barrier, the key to breaking boundaries.
On the carnival stage, Valorant Mobile acted as a “fast track,” offering non-core players and passersby an excellent chance to experience Valorant. Many downloaded and tried it immediately after watching the exhibition match at Guanyinqiao’s main stage; others joined the mobile and PC cross-event at the Science Hall to feel a different charm. Thanks to excellent product optimization, Valorant Mobile allows players on various devices to enjoy the game smoothly. With high-quality graphics, it perfectly replicates the PC version’s visuals, runs fluid gunfights without lag, features dazzling particle effects, and keeps device heating minimal. The minimum requirement is only a Snapdragon 430 or Apple A9 processor, meaning even decade-old devices can join the competitive frenzy effortlessly, truly realizing “great games don’t discriminate on devices.”
Outstanding reputation, the mobile game’s strong momentum.
Valorant Mobile maintains extremely high buzz one week after launch due to its excellent game quality, top-notch optimization, and innovative gameplay experience. On the TapTap platform, it garnered over 12,000 reviews in six days, maintaining an average rating above 8.5, ranking among Tencent’s top new games in the same category. Player praise poured in from both veterans and newcomers alike. On social platforms like Xiaohongshu, team invitations and gameplay tips went viral, fostering a friendly and lively discussion atmosphere. Valorant Mobile successfully leveraged the close bond between social interaction and gaming to bring numerous players together.
The feast ends, a new legend begins.
As the carnival concluded with songs at Chaotianmen, Valorant Mobile’s journey was just starting. The addition of mobile not only brought user growth to Valorant but also marked a new phase in IP operation — more inclusive, open, and close to the public. This carnival was the end of the celebration, but the start of a legend. The mobile ecosystem initiated by Valorant Mobile will help the entire Valorant IP reach a broader future, delivering unique gaming experiences to more people.