With VALORANT Champions 2022 starting today, Riot Games revealed a long cinematic for the event that featured specific players from the competition. The video focuses on a series of weird occurrences in Istanbul, ending with all the players standing off against each other. The cinematic got rave reviews online, with plenty of moments sticking out in fans’ and other players’ minds.
Esports pros are actors too?? Surprise! The Opening Film for Champions 2022 is here. Which team will we see through to the end?
Watch #VALORANTChampions live at https://t.co/io2c23tsMd pic.twitter.com/MDrq129G4t
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 31, 2022
Champions 2022 brings a world-changing event to Istanbul
The film starts with a Turkish father waking late in the morning, hearing his son Tarik playing VALORANT, a nod to both popular streamer Tarik “tarik” Celik and Turkish VALORANT fans who will watch the games live. After he leaves the house, he stops to see something flying over the city.
Then, it cuts to LOUD player Gustavo “Sacy” Rossi telling a ghost story to friends around a campfire. After it ends, some noises in the woods draw their attention, as Sacy finds Omen hiding in the shadows.
Another cut leads to a Turkish nightclub, where two players spot one another, abandoning the people around them. Pujan “FNS” Mehta, after a stare-down, returns to the club, mentioning to his friend that he thought he saw someone he knew.
As a large shadow looms over the city, it cuts to Koji “Laz” Ushida and Yuma “Dep” Hashimoto eating at a restaurant and then noticing the darkness. It is finally revealed what it is — a giant floating cube.
After cutting to some other players noticing the cube, the video shows Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks on a boat, listening to his music. As the passengers all run away from something, ardiis looks around to find spider-spike creatures, the same ones from previous Masters 2022 cinematics.
As all the players continue to notice the cube, Fnatic’s Jake “Boaster” Howlett even comedically acknowledges it. All the players eventually enter a stand off. That ends the cinematic, with the Champions 2022 song “Fire Again” playing.
Players and fans react to the VCT cinematic
Speaking of Boaster, his acting chops were noticed by Champions 2022 desk host Yinsu “Yinsu” Collins. He even responded to it with the same line he said in the cinematic.
You’ve gotta be kidding me
— FNATIC Boaster (@OfficialBoaster) August 31, 2022
However, it wasn’t only players who enjoyed the film, as the DRX Twitter account simply said one word: chills.
CHILLS 🔥
— DRX VS (@DRX_VS) August 31, 2022
Then another pro player commented on the video reveal, former Fnatic and current KOI player Martin “Magnum” Peňkov. He stated how the film gave him goosebumps, leaving his mouth ajar.
OMG! This is so good, got goosebumps 😱 https://t.co/NFLPhFw1Vm
— MAGNUM (@just_magnum) August 31, 2022
Last but not least, Team Liquid’s Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom also mentioned getting goosebumps, also mentioning Sacy’s acting chops.
Goosebumps Riot is so good, @loud_sacy your a true actor bro loved it https://t.co/ZKwuI3MlgE
— KC ScreaM 🇵🇸 (@ScreaM_) August 31, 2022
