Is Riot Secretly Building a New Shooter in the Valorant Universe?
Just when you thought Riot Games had its hands full with the League of Legends MMO and Project 2XKO, it seems the gaming giant has another secret project brewing. Chatter across the internet exploded recently, and for good reason. All signs point to a new, unannounced first-person shooter set within the slick, stylized world of Valorant. If you’re a fan of Riot’s tactical shooter, this is news you’ll want to follow.
It’s not just baseless rumor either. The evidence started with something concrete: a job listing. From there, the trail leads to a mysterious codename and even a potential first-look screenshot. Let’s break down everything we know about this secret project.
The First Clue: A Revealing Job Post
The first breadcrumb appeared on Riot’s own careers page. The company posted a listing for an “Associate Art Director, 3D Character Art” for an “unpublished R&D product.” Initially, the post was surprisingly direct. It explicitly mentioned requiring “Familiarity with the Valorant IP” and experience with the “FPS genre.”
For eagle-eyed fans, this was as good as a confirmation. You don’t ask for Valorant IP knowledge unless you’re working on something related to it. The listing also noted the project was moving from “prototype through pre-production,” suggesting it’s been in development for some time.
Interestingly, shortly after the news broke online, Riot updated the job description. The explicit mentions of “Valorant IP” and “FPS genre” were scrubbed clean. Coincidence? Unlikely. It felt more like someone let the cat out of the bag a little too early, and the team scrambled to put it back. The updated post still mentions creating “compelling player characters, gear, and creatures,” which keeps the door wide open for a new character-based game.
What is ‘Project T’?
Things got even more interesting when a leak surfaced, giving this mysterious game a potential codename: Project T. An image, supposedly from an early build of the game, started making the rounds. The screenshot shows a colorful, grid-based map with a character holding a futuristic rifle. A prompt on the screen reads, “Try that tricked out AR!”
Leakers suggest ‘Project T’ could be an MMOFPS or an extraction shooter. The idea of an extraction shooter like Escape from Tarkov set in the Valorant universe is certainly exciting. The screenshot’s UI, showing health, armor, and weapon icons, reinforces its FPS foundation. The leak also mentioned features like “seasons” and “personal quarters progression,” hinting at a live-service model with long-term player engagement in mind.
Is This Just Valorant Mobile?
It’s important to clarify that this new project is not the long-awaited Valorant Mobile. Riot officially announced the mobile port years ago, and it’s being co-developed with Lightspeed Studios, the team behind PUBG Mobile. Valorant Mobile has already launched in some regions, so this unannounced FPS is an entirely separate and new title.
What Kind of Game Could It Be?
This is where speculation runs wild. While Riot already dominates the tactical shooter space with Valorant, a new game could explore different sub-genres. Here are a few possibilities:
- Extraction Shooter: A high-stakes game where players fight to secure loot and escape. This would fit the “seasons” and “progression” leak perfectly.
- Single-Player Campaign: Fans have long requested a story-driven experience to flesh out Valorant’s rich lore and characters. Could this be it?
- Co-op PvE Experience: Imagine a Left 4 Dead-style game where you and your friends fight through hordes of enemies in the Valorant universe.
- MMOFPS: A massive multiplayer online first-person shooter would be a huge undertaking but could blend the gunplay of Valorant with the scale of an MMO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is this new game Valorant 2?
All signs point to this being a new game within the Valorant universe, not a direct sequel. It’s more likely a spin-off that explores a different genre.
2. Does this have an official release date?
No. The project is unannounced, and the job listing suggests it’s still in the pre-production phase. Games can stay in this stage for years, so don’t expect it anytime soon.
3. Is Riot Games confirming any of this?
No. Riot Games has not made any official announcements. Everything we know is based on the job listing and subsequent leaks. Always take such information with a grain of salt.
4. Will it be free-to-play like Valorant?
It’s too early to say for sure, but given Riot’s successful free-to-play model with games like Valorant and League of Legends, it’s a strong possibility.
5. Why would Riot make another FPS when they already have Valorant?
Valorant is a tactical shooter, which is a specific niche within the FPS genre. A new game could be an extraction shooter, an arena shooter, or a story-based FPS, attracting a different audience without directly competing with Valorant’s player base.
Conclusion
The evidence is compelling. A job posting that got edited, a leaked screenshot, and a rumored codename all point to something new cooking in Riot’s kitchen. While an official confirmation is likely a long way off, the prospect of a new FPS set in the Valorant universe is thrilling. Whether it’s an extraction shooter, a story-driven campaign, or something else entirely, Riot has a track record of polishing its games to a high sheen. For now, all we can do is watch, wait, and keep an eye out for the next clue.