MUMBAI: KGeN, a community led gaming platform and Riot Games have partnered for the launch of Lift//Off. This a community-led and data-driven online training academy to forge the next set of professional Valorant athletes. This programme will allow everyday gamers to make a mark, whether it is through their in-game achievements or showing off their skills at a global stage.
The programme looks to set a new standard as a community-driven programme by strategically selecting gaming content creators as ‘creators’ and seasoned competitive gamers as ‘trainers’, from the Valorant community to lead this training academy. They will select 20 creators from a pool of applicants, these creators will then form their own teams from within their communities. Each creator will either select 5 players for their team or play alongside 4 players, forming a total of 60 to 80 players. Additionally, 20 trainers will be selected, with each assigned to one of the 20 creator-led teams.
A gamer’s in-game Valorant performance, including stats like hours played, win rates, successful kills, headshot percentage, and KDR, combined with their social standing in the community, such as tournament wins, content creation skills, and positive feedback, will be the foundation for selecting the first group of Trainers, Creators, and esports recruits for Lift//Off.
Lift//Off will offer all participants an opportunity to connect with the global esports community. Top-performing teams will have the chance to showcase their skills in official Valorant tournaments. Additionally, creators and trainers will receive official Valorant merchandise, highlighting their involvement in shaping this programme and contributing to the growth of the esports community in India. The programme will include a mentor cohort which will captivate and engage a diverse audience.
The programme aims to not only elevate the skills of esports recruits but also cultivate the next generation of esports idols. The program’s teachings extend beyond in-game strategies to encompass the broader aspects of life as an esports professional. By mentoring participants in every facet of the player’s social persona, KGeN seeks to use data to build the reputation and “gamer cred” of everyone involved, ensuring they are well-rounded individuals ready for the spotlight. Data-driven insights will be used to tailor tutorials and challenges, helping each participant address specific areas where they need help.
Lift//Off Roadmap: Launch (Sep 18) – Applications for Creators, Trainers & Recruits go live.
Last Date to Apply (Oct 10) – Last date for Creators, Trainers & Recruits to apply.
Weekly and Daily Challenges Leaderboard (Nov 4 – 26) – In this period, players can take part in-game challenges to test their learning and also win rewards from the leaderboard.
Finale (Nov 30 – Dec 3) – Lift//Off will feature a final tournament, to assess the learnings of the Recruits and the teaching effectiveness of Trainers.
