Valorant's competitive scene has faced several major controversies since its launch. These incidents have significantly impacted the game's esports ecosystem and community. Let's examine the five most notable controversies.

The First Strike Tournament Stream Delay In December 2020, Riot Games faced criticism for implementing a 6-minute delay in First Strike tournament streams. While intended to prevent stream sniping, this delay severely impacted viewer engagement and live reactions. The community argued that this excessive delay made the viewing experience less exciting and hindered real-time interactions.

Match-Fixing Scandal The ESIC (Esports Integrity Commission) uncovered a major match-fixing scandal in October 2021, involving several professional players from North America. Seven players received lifetime bans from Valorant competitive play for deliberately manipulating match outcomes for betting purposes. This incident highlighted the need for stricter competitive integrity measures.

Competitive Queue Region Lock Riot's decision to implement region locking in competitive queues sparked heated debates. While designed to ensure fair gameplay and reduce latency issues, it prevented friends from different regions from playing together. The community criticized this change for limiting social interactions in an increasingly global gaming landscape.

Sentinels' Coach Ban Controversy In early 2022, Sentinels' coach Rawkus received a controversial ban during VCT competition. The incident stemmed from miscommunication about technical timeout rules. The situation led to widespread discussion about the clarity of tournament rules and their enforcement.

TSM Female Roster Controversy The disbandment of TSM's female Valorant roster in late 2021 sparked discussions about gender equality in esports. The organization's handling of the situation and communication drew criticism from players and fans alike, highlighting ongoing challenges in professional gaming's inclusivity efforts.

These controversies have shaped Valorant's competitive landscape and led to significant policy changes in professional play. They serve as important lessons for the future of esports governance and community management.

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