The curtain has closed on the VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational, giving us a chance to reflect on the excitement and storylines from this OFF//SEASON LAN event in Chengdu, often called the City of Pandas.
CHINA – The VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational has come to an end, and as the dust settles, we find ourselves reflecting on the unforgettable journey that took us to Chengdu, a city in the Sichuan Province famously known as the “City of Pandas.”
But it was not just the pandas that captured our attention—it was the competition between eight top teams from Pacific and CN that unfolded before us. Paper Rex ultimately stood tall in the end, lifting the trophy after a thrilling grand final against Japan’s DetonatioN FocusMe 3-1 (Ascent 13-10, Haven 6-13, Abyss 13-2, Pearl 13-7).
If you had told me a few months ago that DFM would make it all the way to the finals of a Pacific-CN event—knocking out some of the biggest names along the way—I probably would’ve called you crazy. But here they were, proving they’re not just a feel-good story; they’re now a threat with a realistic shot at international success next year. While, of course, DFM’s roster has seen huge changes, transforming a team name once synonymous with bottom-table struggles into a legitimate title contender is no small feat.
Their journey through the tournament was nothing short of epic. With Ibuki “Meiy” Seki as the star of the team, they knocked out some of the biggest names in the region, including the reigning world champs EDward Gaming, RRQ, Trace Esports, and even Paper Rex in best-of-threes.
Their run in Chengdu was a huge statement—Japanese VALORANT is growing stronger, and DFM are leading the charge.
ALSO READ: Interview with Head of VCT CN Eric Feng at VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational
It wasn’t just DFM making waves. Trace Esports too had a statement to make. Their victory in Champions Seoul wasn’t just a one-off win; it was a sign of their growing reputation on the international stage (and yeah, that Gu “destroyeR” Jiaming’s clip also helps). In Chengdu, they took down Gen.G and DRX, proving their success was no fluke.
Meanwhile, DRX seemed to have rediscovered their rhythm. With Kim “MaKo” Myeong-kwan no longer having to handle IGL duties—now taken over by No “free1ng” Ha-jun—the team appeared more comfortable and confident than ever. The stakes for next year have never been higher for DRX. The competition is so tight domestically that no Korean team can be considered the underdog—not even the recently promoted Nongshim RedForce (previously Sin Prisa Gaming).
For EDward Gaming, it was a bit of a reality check. After their historic win 865km northeast of their home in Seoul, they didn’t look quite as unstoppable in Chengdu. Their manager explained that the lack of preparation following a long OFF//SEASON break played a big part in their performance. EDG might have faltered this time, but let’s not forget: they’re still the 2024 World Champions, and we can expect them to be back stronger than ever.
Then, of course, there was Paper Rex. The Southeast Asian squad who sealed their place as the champions of the VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational once again reminded us that they’re the team to beat in the Pacific. We’ve always known them for their fast, aggressive playstyle, but this time, they surprised us with a more calculated approach. Their Ascent play using the meta composition, along with the use of drones, was a stark contrast to the chaotic, all-in aggression we’re used to from the previous two years. Even Connor “Sliggy” Blomfield was left questioning, “Who is this team???” on his stream. It was a whole new side of PRX, and it worked wonders for them.
Before the grand finals, we had the chance to sit down with Eric Feng, the Head of VCT CN and Vice President of TJ Sports. Our conversation was a solid reminder that the future of Chinese VALORANT is looking incredibly bright. With a peak concurrent viewership of 1.8 million for VCT CN, the scene in China is growing rapidly, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
The event itself lived up to its “Mini Masters Chengdu” moniker. From the high production values to the intense matchups, everything about the tournament felt top-tier. It was, without a doubt, one of the best OFF//SEASON events we’ve seen so far. I mean, just hear the crowd.
As a member of the media at the event, I can honestly say it was an incredible experience—what people these days would call a “core memory” for me. The hospitality was beyond anything I could have expected, and there was this amazing sense of camaraderie that made everything feel so welcoming. The passion for VALORANT Esports was so strong that it felt like language and cultural barriers didn’t even exist. I was lucky enough to be one of only two English media outlets there (shoutout to ONE Esports!), and from the very beginning, I felt welcomed by everyone and the 20-something media members there (I’ll never forget how they made sure I had a steady supply of CHAGEEs every day).
One of the coolest touches they did was create the “Asian VALORANT Newspaper”, a fun little addition that included interviews, schedules, and even crosswords. It was a small touch, but it really showed how much care went into making this event special. This wasn’t just a tournament; it felt like an end-of-year celebration for everyone involved.
After each match, the media got a special chance to interview players, but it wasn’t just the usual interview. There was this unique tradition—every player had to write down their thoughts and feelings on a small note. Those notes, filled with emotions, thank-yous, and messages for the fans, were then pinned to a wall. Day by day, the wall slowly transformed, covered in handwritten words from players who had just fought their hearts out in-game. There’s something about putting pen to paper that feels so much more real, more human, than just posting online. It wasn’t just about a quick tweet or a hashtag—it felt more personal like they were leaving behind a little piece of themselves.
I, too, took a moment to write my own message. These wouldn’t just be left behind in Chengdu; they were headed to the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai, where they’d be displayed for everyone to see. Sometimes, it’s those little, simple acts that leave the biggest impression, a small reminder that it’s the personal touches that make these events feel truly special.
And then there were the showmatches. The all-star match was a blast, and the influencer showmatch—featuring the legendary Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev—was the cherry on top. These matches, along with the main event, delivered on every front.
When Paper Rex took the trophy in the grand finals, Alexandre “alecks” Sallé’s message in Mandarin to the fans was a moment to remember. “On behalf of the team, we really appreciate all your support. You guys take care of us every time we are in China. Hopefully, we will be back in China again to give a good performance. Thank you!” It was the perfect ending to a tournament that felt more like a celebration than just another competition.
And with that, we can’t wait to return to China.
Shoutout to VALORANT Esports CN for inviting us to the VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational!
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Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Esports CN
