The grind meets glory

Valorant turns five in India, but the spotlight isn't on Riot-it’s on the players. From café clutches to campus champions, this is a love letter to a gaming community that didn’t just log in they leveled up the scene

- Harsh Sharma

Back in 2020, when Valorant first popped up on Indian PC screens, it wasn’t just another shooter- it was a spark. And now, five years in, Riot Games is making it crystal clear: the game’s fifth anniversary isn't about the company. It’s about you, the players who clicked, clutched, and carried.

Arun Rajappa, Country Manager, India & South Asia, Riot Games, put it simply: “It’s meant to celebrate people who've been with the game for five years and grinded Valorant with us.”

So, what’s cooking? Think community stories, player-first content, vibrant PC café events, and a deep dive into the desi side of gaming with art and cultural tributes. This is not just nostalgia marketing. It’s a thank-you note—one that feels handwritten in every local dialect.

▾ India isn’t just playing catch-up. It’s leading the charge.

Gaming in India used to be the side dish. Today, it’s the main course. Rajappa calls it like it is: India is a “booming economy with a massive Gen Z population.” And these aren’t just players, they’re creators, competitors, and catalysts.