Retired Valorant pro Pujan ‘FNS’ Mehta from NRG Esports criticized the Valorant Champions Tour production for making jokes about players, especially considering that pros can be penalized for doing the same during matches.
The VCT leagues and LAN events often feature lighthearted and enjoyable broadcasts in the world of Valorant esports. In order to appeal to a broad audience, Riot Games’ production team has incorporated elements such as mock game shows, power ranking segments, and interviews into the broadcasts.
Despite this, those in charge can unintentionally contribute to the ongoing lack of respect that professional players often face. When players exhibit similar disrespect towards each other during matches, whether to provoke their opponents or elicit a response from fans, they are often penalized with fines from Riot.
During a co-stream of the VCT EMEA broadcast on April 25, FNS, a former professional player who now streams, pointed out the hypocrisy on Riot’s part.
FNS expressed frustration over the inconsistency of penalizing players for unsportsmanlike behavior while allowing production to disrespect them by showcasing irrelevant statistics, such as in the case of Max ‘Demon1′ Mazanov and Victor ‘Victor’ Wong being compared for no apparent reason. This double standard is also seen in other games, leading to an outcry when players engage in similar actions.
FNS mentioned that the league’s broadcast can find ways to playfully tease professionals without being disrespectful. As an example, he referred to a recent segment that playfully poked fun at his former team, NRG, from last year.
Valorant professionals have a track record of receiving penalties and cautions for engaging in inappropriate in-game behaviors, such as teabagging and making explicit hand gestures. This is because Riot does not want to be perceived as endorsing such actions.
The organizers and hosts of the match days are aware that stirring up the crowd, as well as professional players trash-talking each other, can create an entertaining spectacle. However, this practice may leave a negative impression on viewers when the game’s developer only addresses and discourages this behavior from professional players.
It appears that FNS has a valid point according to Valorant esports supporters, who also believe that Riot is not demonstrating consistency in this matter.
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