Riot Games, the game development company behind popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant, has recently announced its plan to introduce “Virtual Pass” for its esports divisions of Valorant and League of Legends (LoL). The objective of this new initiative is to offer gamers exceptional esports and entertainment experiences, with the aim of becoming the most player-centric gaming enterprise globally.

Riot Games Introduces Virtual Pass For Valorant and League of Legends Esports

In a recent blog post titled One Shot, Riot Games’ President of Esports John Needham mentioned that the company is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for teams, players, and fans and that it is all in on esports at Riot. He also revealed that Virtual Pass will feature both digital and physical products such as in-game cosmetics and Worlds merchandise.

The Virtual Pass is a new product that bridges online and in-real-life (IRL) fan engagement and generates revenue. Needham discussed the challenges of monetizing fandom in esports events, which the company faces globally. Riot Games aims to tackle this difficulty through the development of a virtual ticket program.

Starting with Worlds 2023, Riot Games will be testing out the new product that will feature a mix of digital products, such as a Worlds skin exclusive variant, in-game event pass, and exclusive content, as well as unique physical products, such as exclusive Worlds merch. The Virtual Pass will also include physical and digital goods from sponsors. With this program, Riot Games aims to develop a highly immersive online viewing experience for Worlds, providing products and services with exceptional value, offering a platform to express enthusiasm and fandom, and assist in generating revenue for esports teams.

Riot Games has outlined its intention to extend the Virtual Pass to the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) in 2024, incorporating more interactive elements to provide fans with a heightened level of engagement. The Virtual Pass will feature a range of premium in-game cameras, exclusive access to cameras stationed throughout the live event location, personalized chat channels and lounges, digital collectibles, special status items such as unique icons or borders, and the opportunity for selected fan messages to appear during event broadcasts. Needham has clarified that these concepts are still in the preliminary stages and offered as examples, acknowledging that some ideas may not come to fruition.

Riot Games is deliberately constructing the Virtual Pass to incorporate team-oriented versions featuring merchandise branded with team logos, access to the professional team room, and other related features. Needham stated that the objective is to develop a product that provides an exceptional experience for fans to connect with their beloved teams and players, while also creating an innovative revenue channel for the teams, provided the product is designed correctly.