Bloody Imagery Cut From Esports Game to Keep It Sponsor-Friendly

(Bloomberg) -- Riot Games Inc. will require that bloody imagery be removed from tournaments featuring its new video game Valorant, a move designed to make the title more attractive to potential sponsors and broadcasters.

Prior to Valorant’s launch, Riot met with more than 100 esports organizations to discuss adapting the game for competition. Virtual blood was a popular topic of conversation. Previous titles that feature gun violence, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, are wildly popular among gamers but have missed out on some commercial opportunities because of the graphic nature of the game play.

Riot’s solution: a “show blood” mode that can be toggled on or off, taking gore out of the game on command. In guidelines published Wednesday, Riot said that organizers of competitive Valorant tournaments must turn off the blood setting during play.

“Ultimately, we want our esport to be as accessible as possible, and that includes ensuring it is also as wide-reaching as possible,” said Whalen Rozelle, Riot’s senior director of esports. “By turning off blood, we allow more sponsors and distributors to join the ecosystem, ultimately creating more accessibility and stability for everyone.”

As professional video gaming blossoms into a $1 billion industry, it’s becoming a popular vehicle for companies and media networks looking to attract a younger audience. Unlike in traditional sports, sponsorships remain the biggest source of revenue for esports leagues and teams.

“There are major brands that simply won’t sponsor games that have blood or real-world violence,” said esports analyst Manny Anekal. “Limiting blood for Valorant esports events is a smart business move.”

President Donald Trump is one of many who have linked violent video games to recent mass shootings. Last August, in the wake of gun violence in Texas and Ohio, ESPN chose to delay its broadcast of an Apex Legends competition for a few months.

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