Exciting news for VALORANT fans in India as Riot Games partners with KGeN to launch LIFT//OFF, the first virtual training academy for aspiring professional VALORANT athletes. This collaboration aims to groom the next generation of VALORANT players and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills on a global scale.
Image credits: KGen
Riot Games has listened to the feedback from the community regarding the lack of support for Tier 2 and grassroots level players in the competitive VALORANT ecosystem. With many players expressing concerns about the focus on high-tier competitive play, this partnership signals a shift towards nurturing talent at all levels.
The decision not to prioritize Tier 2 competitive scene in the past may have been due to the significant costs involved. However, with the introduction of the LIFT//OFF academy, Riot Games is now investing in grassroots development which will benefit the entire ecosystem in the long run.
What is the VALORANT virtual academy for India?
KGeN will recruit gaming content creators as “creators” and experienced competitive players as “trainers” from the VALORANT community to lead the LIFT//OFF academy.
Twenty creators and twenty trainers will be selected to form teams and work together to develop skills and talents within the program. Selection criteria will focus on important in-game stats, as well as a positive community presence and achievements such as tournament wins and content creation skills.
How to apply for LIFT//OFF
The VALORANT virtual training academy ‘LIFT//OFF’ will be launched on September 18, and applications for Creators, Trainers, and Recruits are now open. Interested individuals can apply before the October 10 deadline and will be contacted by a KGeN representative for further guidance.
Participants will engage in in-game challenges from November 4 to November 26 to demonstrate their learning progress and compete on the Weekly & Daily Challenges Leaderboard. The finals will take place from November 30 to December 3, evaluating the growth of the Recruits and the effectiveness of the Trainers.
