Although the internet exploded after Riot Games revealed their upcoming tactical FPS ‘Valorant,’ Korean users seemed less than enthusiastic about the game.
Valorant is a bit of a combination of Counter-Strike, Apex Legends and Overwatch, with a mix of gunplay, unique abilities and time-based objective modes.
As the communities surrounding those three pre-existing titles praised Riot and expressed their desire to try the new FPS out, Korean members on Inven weren’t remotely as positive.
Out of curiosity, what are their main complaints?
— MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) March 4, 2020
Taking to Twitter, former LA Valiant and Florida Mayhem translator Andrew ‘Korean Mulan’ Kim explained that Korean users were “absolutely sh*tting on Valorant.”
When asked by Cloud 9’s Christopher ‘MonteCristo’ Mykles what the main complaints were, Korean Mulan highlighted how unimpressed they were with the graphics.
According to Kim, issues with the graphics were the most up-voted complaints on the site.
That sucks. I hope either the graphics change or their attitude changes, then. It would be really fun to see Koreans playing the same tactical shooter as the West.
Also, they play Sudden Attack with shit graphics, why don't they care about that?
— MonteCristo (@MonteCristo) March 4, 2020
He went on to add that users feel Riot is making money by copying ideas from DOTA, Auto chess and Hearthstone – like “a true Chinese company,” Kim quoted a comment on the site.
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Monte wondered why the players took issue with the graphics, given the popularity of ‘Sudden Attack,’ a free-to-play, Korean-developed FPS that released in 2005.
“They play Sudden Attack with s**t graphics, why don’t they care about that?” Mykles inquired.
“I think its because it’s Riot,” the translator replied. “It’s a major release in multiple markets, which places it apart from Sudden Attack in terms of expectations. Valorant certainly turned more heads.”
He went on to note, amusingly, that one user wrote, “Finally, a sequel to Sudden Attack,” after watching footage of Valorant.
I think its because its Riot. Its a major release in multiple markets, which places it apart from Sudden Attack in terms of expectations. Valorant certainly turned more heads.
Funnily enough one comment said: "Finally a sequel to Sudden Attack."
— Korean Mulan (@Korean_Mulan) March 4, 2020
Considering these reactions, it seems worth waiting to see if more Korean players get on board with the game when it’s released, either as a beta or a finished project.
Until then, we’re just going to have to wait and see how the title develops, and if it can win those skeptical audiences over.