The Filipino-inspired agent Neon and other artworks set foot in the international game, Valorant.
Valorant is a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Riot Games. The gameplay puts spotlight on agents coming from various countries around the globe.
Upon the release of Episode 4, Act I on Friday, January 11, Valorant unveils its newest and first developed Filipino agent, Neon. The Pinoy agent has electric skills which gives her super speed and lightning abilities.
Furthermore, Valorant player Anne Gupit shared her thoughts on Neon’s launch.
“Maganda na binigyan siya (Neon) [ng] representation. Ni-retain nila yung physical features ni Neon na Filipino,” she explained.
(Translation: It’s great that she [Neon] was given representation. They retained the Filipino physical features of Neon.)
Gupit was amused after finding out the Filipino agent’s character and theme on Valorant.
“Nakakatawa kasi inihalintulad si Neon sa snatchers sa Quiapo,” the player said.
(Translation: It’s funny because Neon was compared to the snatchers in Quiapo.)
Meanwhile, Vanille Velasquez, a 23-year-old Filipino voice actress gave the voice to the said character.
One of Neon’s voice lines gave prominence to the famous Filipino expression, “Lintik kayo”
(Translation: I wish you get struck by lightning).
Moreover, Gupit praised the other voice lines of the agent.
“’Yung ‘halika na, we can do this,’ ang ganda nun! Ang ganda ng line na ‘yun,” Gupit added.
(Translation: The line, ‘let’s go, we can do this,’ is great. That voice line is really great.)
On the other hand, Valorant prepares for the upcoming Episode 4, Act II of the game.
The second act will give emphasis on Community Battle Pass wherein everyone is free to submit their personal artworks of skins, gun buddies, player cards, sprays, banner arts, and other in-game aesthetics for a chance to be featured in the game.
Valorant’s Executive Producer Anna Donlon teased the players in Dev Diaries regarding the team’s plan for Act II.
“In Act II, you’ll still get cool new skins and our first ever Community Battle Pass.” Donlon said.
In respect to the Community Battle Pass, Gupit exhibited her admiration to the game developers.
“Lalo lang nila (Valorant developers)[pinatunayan] na nakikipag-interact sila sa players. Talagang invested sila sa laro kasabay sa pagiging invested nila sa thoughts ng player,” Gupit said.
(Translation: The Valorant developers proved that they interact with their players. They are really invested in the game along with the thoughts of the players.)
In addition to this, she felt that the developers made the total package of the game so much better when they listened to the ideas of their players.
Furthermore, a Filipino-themed spray highlighting the jeepney was also teased in Dev Diaries.
Gupit showed her excitement towards the jeepney-inspired spray.
“Ang cute kasi ‘di ba jeep, representation siya ng Philippines. I think, deserve,” Gupit expressed.
(Translation: It’s cute because the jeepney represents the Philippines. I think they deserve it.)
Episode 4, Act II, which is expected to be released in March, is currently in the works and the team plans on including the players more in the game.
By Jaybelle Mataro
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