Summary:
- On its first day in China, Valorant Mobile earned $1 million and were downloaded 170,000 times, reaching the top of iOS charts.
- The game was co-developed by Riot and Tencent’s Lightspeed Studios, that brought a faithful but streamlined version of Valorant from PC to mobile devices.
- Riot is also planning a $200 million investment in mobile esports, using China as a launchpad before expanding the game globally.
Riot Games and Tencent’s long-awaited Valorant Mobile launch had made a spectacular debut in China, reaching over 170,000 downloads and $1 million in player spending on its first day. The milestone signals a strong start for the shooter’s mobile adaptation, though its true global potential has yet to be tested.
A Record-Breaking First Day
According to Appfigures, which tracks Apple devices in China, Valorant Mobile quickly became the most-downloaded app on iOS after its launch. It also ranked 7th among top-earning games and 14th overall on the App Store. Since this only tracks Apple devices, the real numbers including Android are probably even higher.
Tencent, Riot’s publishing partner in China, called it one of their biggest mobile launches in recent years, comparing it to Dungeon & Fighter Mobile in 2024. However, Zeng Xiaofeng, Vice President at Niko Partners, pointed out Tencent is “playing the long game.” This early revenue spike isn’t just about short-term profit, but it’s part of a strategy to make Valorant Mobile a sustainable, long-term franchise.
Built for Mobile, Backed by Experience
Valorant Mobile was co-developed by Riot Games and Tencent’s Lightspeed Studios. This team also worked for PUBG Mobile. This partnership allowed the game to stay true to Valorant’s PC experience while also adapting it for handheld play.
The mobile version includes the same agents, maps, and weapons as PC, but matches are shorter—requiring just eight rounds to win instead of the usual 13. This change keeps the competitive feel while making games quicker and more accessible for mobile players.
Explaining the China-first launch strategy, Anna Donion, Head of Valorant Studio, said “We think it makes sense to start more locally, where their mobile expertise shines, before we finalize our plans to expand to other regions.” With Lightspeed’s strong reputation in China, the game has able to launch in a trusted market before preparing for global expansion.
The Road Toward Mobile Esports
One of the biggest parts of Valorant Mobile’s future is its role in esports. Riot and Tencent’s joint company, TJ Sports, has already committed ¥1.5 billion RMB (about $200 million) to build a competitive scene that includes everything from college leagues to national tournaments.
By the end of 2025, China is expected to have its own national Valorant Mobile circuit. Riot has also partnered with OnePlus to host the first major Valorant Mobile launch event later this year. These moves show that Riot isn’t just copying Valorant PC’s esports success, but also shaping a unique identity for the mobile version.
With mobile esports already huge in Asia, Valorant Mobile is set up to challenge big titles like CrossFire Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. Analysts believe that once the global release is announced, Riot would expand similar competitive systems to regions such as North America, Europe, and South Korea.
Conclusion
Valorant Mobile’s launch in China was a huge success, bringing in over $1 million in revenue and 170,000 downloads on its very first day. The game delivers a faithful but simplified version of the tactical shooter, designed to work well on mobile while also aiming to become a major player in mobile esports.
A global release date had not been announced yet, but the strong launch number along with Riot’s $200 million investment into esports infrastructure show that Valorant Mobile launch can grow into one of the biggest FPS games in mobile history.
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