Is VALORANT in China?
VALORANT has easily become one of the most popular games in the past few years. This tactical first-person shooter, created by Riot Games, captivated the gaming world upon its global premiere three years ago. But the true question on the minds of many gamers was, "Is VALORANT in China?" China has been a highly awaited destination for this spectacular game, being the largest gaming market in the world. Today, we take a closer look at the thrilling process of VALORANT's entry into China, examining the date of its release, the establishment of Chinese servers, and the regulatory environment that has influenced its presence.
VALORANT China: Governmental issues
There were obstacles in the way of bringing VALORANT to China. Riot Games had to negotiate the strict regulatory environment of China, just like any online game trying to enter that market. To guarantee it complies with cultural and political beliefs, gaming content in China undergoes review.
Riot Games collaborated extensively with Chinese authorities to guarantee adherence to these rules while maintaining the character of the game that had captivated players anywhere else. The official launch of VALORANT was made possible by the smooth resolution of these obstacles, which represents yet another victory for the rapidly growing international gaming sector.
VALORANT China release date
A historic day for Riot Games, July 12, 2023, has seen the long-anticipated release of VALORANT in China. It means that you can play VALORANT in China without any restrictions. Gamers were thrilled to hear that VALORANT would finally be released in their country, and this news was welcomed with waves of anticipation. Chinese players had been excitedly counting down the days until they could enjoy the action and strategic gameplay that VALORANT has to offer since its global premiere.
Tencent, the parent company of Riot Games, received approval to release the game in China in December 2022. Days before the Chinese New Year, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) accepted more than 40 international titles for publication in China in 2023, including VALORANT.
Related: Attacking Soul Esports and EDG to represent China at Masters Tokyo
How did players play VALORANT in China before the official release?
Before VALORANT's official release in China, players came up with their own solutions to get in on the action. In order to play VALORANT before it was released locally, Chinese players who were itching for a taste of the action set up private networks and connected to Hong Kong servers. These initiatives showed the Chinese gaming community's intense interest and demand for the game.
But along with the formal launch, China VALORANT servers were set up, skillfully designed to meet the specific requirements of Chinese players. These servers not only decreased latency and increased connection stability, but they also made sure that gamers had a smooth gaming experience, encouraging teamwork as they engaged in online fights.
These restrictions didn’t stop players in the region. And that's not only locally, but also on the international VALORANT stage. EDward Gaming represented China at VALORANT Champions 2022, but it didn’t just stop there. The following year, during VCT 2023, EDG once again made it to the international stage, but this time, they had their fellow countrymen like Attacking Soul Esports and FunPlus Phoenix. In 2023, three teams will represent the country at VALORANT Champions 2023. EDG and FPX will once again be there to compete internationally and this time, Bilibili Gaming will also be present.
Related: EDward Gaming to represent China and East Asia at VALORANT Champions İstanbul
How to play VALORANT in China
VALORANT has made its official release in the country, and just like the rest of the world, players can download and install the official client to play VALORANT in China. Before the official release, players had to connect to Hong Kong servers to enjoy the game by using private networks. VALORANT wasn’t allowed in the country, but as you may imagine, this didn’t stop players from enjoying it.
Many players were left with two options, using CMHK mobile data or using Xunyou Game Accelerator. According to the Reddit user “BigiBogo,” some players got themselves a CMHK number in Hong Kong and got the "Bay Area" plan, which allowed them to bypass the China firewall and connect to HK internet instead. Secondly, “the Xunyou Game Accelerator is like a VPN that is specialized for playing games.”
If you are looking to play on the China VALORANT servers from the western part of the world, it will be pretty hard for you to achieve that. It will be difficult to get an account because the Chinese version will have its own gaming client and server. The game will only be accessible if you live close to China because it will only be hosted on Chinese servers.
The accounts utilized in the Chinese version will not be the same as those in the international client. It is anticipated that obtaining a special account will require both a Chinese IP address and a QQ or WeChat account.
Importance of the China VALORANT server
The existence of VALORANT in China is proof of the ongoing potential of virtual worlds to bring gamers from all over the world together in a shared enthusiasm for immersive gameplay, despite the fact that the gaming scene is still evolving. The foundation has been laid for an exciting future, and VALORANT's arrival in China is anticipated to encourage even more innovation and intrigue in the rapidly developing field of online gaming.
Related: EDG and FPX look to proudly represent China at VCT LOCK//IN
Is VALORANT allowed in China?
Yes, VALORANT is allowed in China. After a long wait, VALORANT has finally launched in China. The game was released on July 12, 2023, and is now available to play on the country's own servers. Because of governmental restrictions, Riot Games had to wait three years to launch the game in the country officially. Before the official release, VALORANT wasn’t available in China, but players connected to the Hong Kong servers to play the game.
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