Riot Games is introducing VALORANT Game Changers as part of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) this year.

ALL-FEMALE VALORANT GAME CHANGERS COMES THIS YEAR THROUGH THE VCT

A new league will be coming this year in the VALORANT Champions Tour, Riot announced. The VALORANT Game Changers initiative will supplement the existing Champions Tour. It aims to “give more opportunities and exposure for women and other marginalized genders within VALORANT esports.”

VALORANT Game Changers will feature two competitive initiatives: the VCT Game Changers Series and VCT Game Changers Academy. The Game Changers Series will consist of top-level competition, while the VCT Game Changers Academy will feature grassroots-level teams. Game Changers Series will kick off in late March, starting with the North American region. Riot Games says that Game Changers Series will have the same scale as the Ignition Series from last year.

Meanwhile, Riot Games will be working hand-in-hand with GALORANTs, a Valorant community advocating for female esports athletes. Riot has worked with GALORANTs before in their “FTW Summer Showdown,” which was also part of the Ignition Series. The Game Changers Academy initiative will have monthly tournaments aimed towards semi-pros and amateurs. While these competitions will have smaller stakes, it's a great way for less-exposed teams to find a way into professional play.

Riot Games says that while they have been trying to combat sexism and toxicity in-game by punishing unwanted behavior on the game's communication channels, they felt that they needed to exert effort on the esports front as well.

Meanwhile, Riot Games still face a lot of scrutiny from the community for allegations of sexual misconduct within the confines of their offices. Just last month, Riot Games' Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Laurent faced a lawsuit filed by a former executive assistant. Laurent allegedly made unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate sexual comments towards her in the past.