Over the past year, the new additions to the map pool in the game VALORANT have forced Riot Games to implement a rotating map pool. However, players believe they have discovered a trend that helps them predict the location of the latest map.
The secret lies in the rewards of Episode Seven, Act One Battle Pass, specifically in player cards that players can earn by progressing through the pass. One of these cards hints that the next map could take us to the city of Los Angeles, the destination for the upcoming VALORANT Champions 2023 event.
LOS ANGELES?
The card, named Golden Hour, shows a sunny street lined with palm trees, featuring houses that resemble the popular Mission Revival architectural style found in California. On a hill above the houses, there is a building that could be inspired by the iconic Griffith Observatory, overlooking downtown Los Angeles. There is also a street vendor, but it is difficult to discern what they are selling.
This card is considered a preview of the upcoming map, as Riot has previously released previews of future maps through player cards. Pearl was unveiled at the beginning of Episode Five, and in Episode Four, Act Three Battle Pass, a player card called Yellows On Rails hinted at an underwater city that Pearl is part of. Subsequently, Lotus was teased in a similar manner through the Astral Conduit player card.
In addition to following the trend of the Battle Pass player cards, VALORANT players have noticed that several Riot employees have promised additional content to be released when the game transitions to Los Angeles for the end-of-2023 Champions esports event, and some of it is likely related to the event’s location. Fans will likely have to wait until August to learn something more concrete.
Riot has added the 'TWISTEN' title as a Free Chapter Reward to the upcoming Episode 7 Act 1 Battle Pass
— Valorant News (@ValorINTEL) June 26, 2023
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