Curious about why Valorant, which was released globally on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on August 2 last year, isn't available for Indian console gamers in their regional stores?
Now we have answers. A recent report by High Chaos Run reveals that Riot Games doesn't find enough potential in the Indian console market to warrant releasing Valorant there. This is quite surprising given the game's popularity on PC in India!
The numbers speak volumes: India ranks in Valorant's top 10 PC markets globally, generating around $1 million monthly. That's no small change for a free-to-play title.
What makes this decision even more puzzling is Riot's previous investment in the region. They reportedly spent nearly $2 million promoting Harbor, Valorant's Indian agent, showing they clearly value the Indian player base.
For now, console players in India have to create international accounts (usually US-based) to download and play the game. That's quite the hurdle for casual gamers who just want to enjoy the shooter on their consoles.
It appears Riot is placing all their bets on Valorant Mobile for the Indian market. This strategy aligns with India's mobile-dominated gaming landscape, but completely bypassing consoles seems like a missed opportunity.
According to industry observers, mobile gaming represents about 90% of India's gaming market, but console gaming is growing rapidly, especially in urban centers.
The company has maintained other connections with Indian players, hosting VCT Ascension watch parties across multiple cities and engaging with the competitive scene.
Some players speculate this could be a temporary situation, with Riot potentially testing the waters before committing to a full console release in India.
As of now, Riot hasn't announced an official release date for Valorant Mobile.
What do you think—is Riot making a smart business move by focusing on mobile for India, or are they underestimating the potential of the console market there?
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