Valorant, one of my favorite games, is a tactical shooting game created by Riot Games. In it, players take on roles as agents with special abilities, working in teams to win matches. Beyond the action, the game features stunning visuals, creative characters, and a richly detailed world, making it perfect for this project. I chose Valorant because I’ve spent a lot of time playing it and know many details about the game. This gave me the chance to share insights that others might overlook. From the design of the maps to the way characters look and move, there’s so much to appreciate about the game’s art and world.
To collect my specimens, I spent time exploring the game’s worlds and studying its art. I closely examined maps like Haven, Ascent, and Pearl, paying attention to the colors, textures, and tiny details that tell a story about the game’s world. I also analyzed the design of the characters, or agents, including their costumes, animations, and backstories. This felt more like an enjoyable adventure than research, as I discovered new things about a game I already loved. One thing that surprised me was the amount of detail I uncovered. I noticed things I had never paid attention to before, like the way light changes in different parts of the maps or how in-game objects and decorations tell their own stories. What I enjoyed most was realizing how much effort the game’s creators put into details that many players might not notice.
There were challenges, too. Valorant’s world is so expansive that it was hard to decide when to stop exploring and start writing. Additionally, some parts of the game’s story and design draw from cultures or concepts I’m not fully familiar with, leaving me with questions I couldn’t always answer. For each letter in the description pages, I included quotations from other games that start with the corresponding letter. This helps create connections and makes it easier to relate the chosen letter to familiar gaming elements. Through this project, I’ve learned to see games like Valorant as more than just entertainment that they’re filled with art, creativity, and meaningful stories. This research made me reflect on how players interact with these virtual worlds and how games can reflect real-world ideas. Overall, this journey deepened my appreciation for Valorant and the artistry behind game design.
About the Author: Kanghee Park
I am a sophomore majoring in Computer Game Design at George Mason University. Since middle school, I have studied abroad in Canada for six years. This experience sparked my interest in the artistic side of the gaming industry. I strive to bring a diverse cultural perspective to my work, drawing from my experiences in two different countries. Outside of academics, I enjoy watching movies and playing games, both of which inspire my creativity and passion for game design.
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Wander Type: Valorant