VALORANT, the globally acclaimed 5v5 character-based tactical shooter, is celebrating its fifth anniversary. In a powerful tribute to its passionate player base, Riot Games Philippines is putting Filipino gamers in the spotlight. Running from June to July 2025, the celebration will include a series of immersive online and offline events that showcase how deeply VALORANT has rooted itself in Filipino culture.
Originally launched during the global pandemic as “Project A,” VALORANT quickly ascended to become one of the most iconic tactical shooters in the world. Now, with over 35 million monthly players, the game features 27 Agents representing 21 countries. It has also established itself as a major esports force, with Champions Seoul 2024 drawing 9.1 million peak viewers and over 44.3 million unique viewers.
The title has earned a string of accolades, including Best Esports Game at The Game Awards (2022 and 2023), Esports Game of the Year 2024, and a Sports Emmy Award nomination in 2025 for its championship coverage. Locally, it secured the Esports Game Title of the Year at the 2024 Philippine Esports Awards.
In 2024, VALORANT expanded beyond PC with a console release on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5. It continued its platform evolution in April 2025 with the launch of VALORANT Mobile in China.
Celebrating Filipino Talent and Culture
The Philippine VALORANT scene has blossomed into more than just gameplay. It has become a vibrant cultural touchpoint, uniting players across backgrounds. Filipino esports talent continues to rise, with teams like Team Secret and NAOS Esports making waves on the global stage. Notably, former NAOS star Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza recently joined Paper Rex, helping them secure a spot in VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025.
“Our anniversary celebration aims to relive the many moments that we made with VALORANT over the last five years, and make every Filipino gamer take pride in the important role they have been playing in bringing VALORANT to where it is today, and of course show our players that the best is yet to come for VALORANT”
Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines
A Month-Long Tribute to the Community
The fifth anniversary is all about celebrating the community’s impact through art, music, and storytelling. The festivities began June 2 with a tribute video featuring gameplay highlights, fan content, and iconic moments over the years. Within the campaign’s core lies one question: “Bakit VALORANT?” You can expect the following content as the celebration continues:
- Humans of VALORANT: A mini-documentary and visual story series featuring everyday players whose lives were transformed by the game.
- Creator Spotlights: Interviews with local influencers like Damods, Razzie, and Amara, who grew alongside VALORANT and now give back to the community.
“From late-night compshop grinds to memes that made their way into the game, culture and fan-made content, our players and fans have given the game a uniquely Pinoy flavor. This is how we recognize and remember their stories—the grind, the growth, and the good times—their own answers to the question “bakit VALO?”
Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines
On-Ground Celebrations in Metro Manila
In-person events kick off with vibrant murals in Metro Manila. A major piece will be showcased at the Tenement Basketball Courts in Taguig, hand-painted by NYC-based muralist Jappy Agoncillo. Along with other notable artists, their murals depict key moments that have shaped the Pinoy VALORANT Scene.
Adding a playful twist, Jeepney Karaokes will turn iconic Philippine jeepneys into mobile karaoke booths, bringing VALORANT’s sound and energy to the streets.
Whether you’re a seasoned Duelist from the beta days, a Controller who keeps the team together, or a content creator who helped shape the scene, VALORANT’s fifth anniversary celebration is for every player.
“This campaign is a thank-you letter to every Filipino player. They are not just part of the story, they are the story”
Stay updated on VALORANT’s fifth anniversary through the hashtag #TaraVALO. Follow VALORANT Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for official announcements and upcoming events.
About VALORANT
VALORANT is a competitive 5v5 character-based tactical shooter for PC, developed by Riot Games. Known for its high-fidelity gunplay and diverse agents with unique abilities. Riot has optimized VALORANT for performance across hardware, making sure it offers an elite competitive experience. Riot supports the game with global servers and industry-leading anti-cheat systems to ensure fair play and integrity. VALORANT is free-to-play and accessible worldwide.
