Valorant’s new Map ‘Sunset’ is based in Los Angeles

Sunset was revealed at Valorant Champions, the annual world championship for the game, which concluded Sunday in Los Angeles, California.

Written by Anuj Bhatia

Los Angeles | August 27, 2023 03:05 PM IST

3 min read

Set in Los Angeles, Valorant’s new “sunset” map promises intriguing gameplay and aesthetics. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/IndianExpress)

Riot Games has revealed the new Valorant map, “Sunset” which focuses on mid-control and offers beautiful lighting and aesthetics. Sunset was first shown behind closed doors to the media before the start of the final days of Valorant Champions 2023, which took place in Los Angeles and concluded at the Kia Forum.

Inspired by Los Angeles, where Riot Games is based as well as one of the newer agents Gekko, Sunset is a three-lane, two-site map that has been fairly standard across first-person shooters like Valorant.

“Sunset features a mid that is fairly difficult to control and doesn’t really favour one team or another; it’s generally good for rifle ranges and opens up a bunch of opportunities for whichever team can take it. We expect to see both teams make mid-control a central part of their strategy on Sunset,” said Joe Lansford, Lead Map Designer on Valorant.

Like “League of Legends,” “Valorant” is free to play and available on PC. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The open map gives a closer look at the culture Los Angeles is known for, such as bustling food trucks, a traffic-filled highway, graffiti murals showcasing the work of local artists, and a neon sunset. “We took most of our artistic inspiration from right here in our backyard,” says Lansford.

Sunset is set to launch as part of Valorant Episode 7 Act II on August 29. The new Act will bring more content to the game in a brand-new battle pass. As one expects, the map will be free for all players.

Since its launch in 2020, Riot Games’ Valorant has become the world’s most popular first-person shooter game. The esports-ready, tactical shooter has been designed for competitive play. In Valorant, players must fight over an objective, using various guns, equipment, and agents with different abilities and roles to fight against and counter their enemies.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More

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