Tyson “TenZ” Ngo criticized Riot Games on a Twitch livestream for the third consecutive year due to the lack of high-end equipment and PCs at major VCT events.
Valorant professionals have voiced concerns about subpar equipment at international events since the inception of the VCT circuit in 2021. Players claim that the on-stage monitors and PCs are outdated and lack the specifications they are accustomed to with their personal and team computers.
TenZ reiterated this issue during a stream in Seoul before the 2024 Valorant Champions.
“I never understood why Riot invests in such low-end PCs,” he said.
He contrasted this with Counter-Strike tournaments, which promote having top-tier PC setups. The difference lies in the structure: CS tournaments are run by multiple organizers in an open circuit, allowing teams to avoid poorly equipped events, whereas Valorant is a closed system managed solely by Riot Games.
“I’m almost certain the PCs we use for Valorant are the same as those for League of Legends. League can run on anything, so they’re just trying to minimize costs,” TenZ said.
Following the widespread attention the clip received on social media, TenZ reiterated his stance.
“Top players should be using top-tier gear. Riot makes a lot from this game but seems to invest minimally in the esports scene,” TenZ commented on a YouTube short.
Despite their complaints, TenZ and other pros at Valorant Champions 2024 will once again compete with what they describe as inadequate equipment.