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Emotes are a really fun way to express oneself in a game without typing in chat. It adds a lot of character to the game that is being played and expresses emotions that words cannot always convey. Emotes also spice up the in-game rivalry between two players and add to the entertainment value. In Valorant, players have the opportunity to do this currently through sprays. But certain sprays cannot be used in between rounds because of their distractive nature. In addition to the sprays, it seems like Riot Games is adding emotes in Valorant too. Valorant data miners and leakers have reported that the company will soon be adding them to the tactical shooter.
What are emotes?
Emotes are expressive images or actions primarily used to convey certain messages and are preset cosmetic flares. Riot Games’ other title League of Legends allows players to use emotes in-game and there are plenty of emotes to choose from. Emotes were introduced to League of Legends in 2017 and they typically present champions and little legends with various expressions. Players use emotes as a way of banter and there is no greater feeling than outplaying your opponent and using an emote to rub salt on their wound.
While emotes in League of Legends are cosmetic flares with different champions, games like Fortnite have taken a different approach altogether. Fortnite allows players to express themselves on the battlefield with their characters pulling off sick moves. If you win a duel, you can do the “Take the L” dance over your opponent or you can simply choose to “T Pose” and assert dominance.
From the leaks that have surfaced, it looks like Riot Games will be taking ideas from the emote wheel in League of Legends and shall bring emotes and dances similar to Fortnite and Apex Legends into Valorant.
How are emotes going to work in Valorant?
On 30th July, ValorLeaks tweeted about the new possible cosmetic addition to Valorant. According to the tweet:
Emotes seem to be coming to Valorant
Emotes will be third person
Players cannot move while using emotes
Emotes will look like the ones in Fortnite
They can be chosen from a wheel in-game
The emotes themselves will feel like the ones players have seen and experienced in Fortnite and players will probably be able to equip their favorites through an emote wheel of the kind seen in most games.
Simply put, in League of Legends, emotes can be equipped in the player's Collection or from Champion Select. The loadout includes a radial or a wheel that can hold up to five emotes with dedicated slots for Start Game, First Blood, Ace, and Victory. Once players load into the game, they can also access the pop-radial/wheel whenever they feel like by using the assigned hotkey.
Riot Games has not confirmed this development so these leaks must be taken with a pinch of salt. However, it will make Valorant all the more entertaining if emotes really do get added to the game.
