GC Update #4: Post VCT Champs

Amongst the various OFF//SEASON tournaments is a competitive Game Changers circuit that is on a path towards the Game Changers Championship in Berlin. We compiled a preview of the upcoming events in some of the regions around the globe to get you up to date!

EMEA Stage 3

EMEA Stage 3 starts off with 10 teams — G2 Gozen, Falcons Vega, GIANTX GC, NASR Ignite, BBL Queens, Karmine Corp GC, Odd 1 OUT and HEROIC Valkyries returning from Series 2, while Valiant GC and ALTERNATE aTTaX Ruby join from the second series of Contenders.

The Group Stage of the tournament begins on September 6 where the teams will be separated into two groups of five. As always, the games will have a single round-robin best-of-3 format and the top 4 teams of each group advance to the playoffs as both of the bottom teams are relegated back into Contenders.

The newest agent added to the VALORANT roster, Vyse, will be available for play after the sixth day of the series. The group distributions are as followed:

Group 1:

• G2 Gozen

• NASR Ignite

• Karmine Corp GC

• Odd 1 OUT

• ALTERNATE aTTaX Ruby

Group 2:

• Falcons Vega

• GIANTX GC

• BBL Queens

• HEROIC Valkyries

• Valiant GC

Beginning on September 23, the playoffs have an 8-team double elimination bracket format with best-of-3 matches, excluding the grand and lower bracket finals which are both best-of-5 respectively.

This phase begins with the upper bracket quarterfinals from where we see teams battle it out for the coveted Grand Final spot in which they can earn the title of Stage 3 champions and qualify for the Game Changers Championship in Berlin along with the two highest scoring teams in points.

The current qualifying teams for the Game Changers Championship are G2 Gozen, Falcons Vega and GIANTX GC with Gozen winning the two previous stages. NASR Ignite and BBL Queens are trailing close behind, however in Stage 3 anyone can change the game.

Game Changers Pacific

Game Changers Pacific is the first of its kind — combining last year’s APAC and East Asia regions, GC Pacific puts the best teams from Japan, Oceania, Korea, SEA and South Asia onto the stage in the first ever GC LAN event for the region in Bangkok, Thailand.

The tournament consists of two stages. The group stage, starting on October 1, has a two group, best-of-3, double-elimination format with two opening matches, a winners match, an elimination and a decider match as the top two teams of each group advance to the next stage. The group distributions have not been revealed yet. The participating teams are as followed:

• Xipto Esports (SEA #1)

• sisu (SEA #2)

• BOBA (SEA #3)

• Purr-Fectionists (South Asia)

• ZETA DIVISION GC (Japan #1)

• FENNEL Female (Japan #2)

• Mir Gaming GC (Korea)

• swaglord9000 (Oceania)

The playoffs, starting October 5, have a single-elimination bracket with all matches being best-of-3 except for the Grand Final, which is a best-of-5. Here the top 2 teams of each group will fight for the chance to receive a spot in the Game Changers Championship. As there are two slots reserved for the Pacific region both of the teams in the Grand Final will qualify.

ZETA, the winners of both of GC Japan’s series and Xipto, whose roster consists of the previous APAC representatives for GCC are considered as the front runners. However, other teams such as fan favorites and 2022 GCC qualifiers FENNEL are not to be underestimated.

LATAM Closing

As the year draws closer to the Game Changers Championship, each region has to narrow the field of competitors down to the final representative or representatives.

In the case of Latin America, both North and South regions have to fight for one spot in Berlin. This will take place in the Regional Final between the best team from each, but before that can take place, the best teams have to prove themselves in their own region.

At the time of writing, the competition is in the fifth and final week of the regular season, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs out of a six team round-robin.

The top two teams will be placed directly into the upper bracket final, while the third and fourth seeded teams will be placed in the lower bracket. All matches in the playoffs will be best-of-5. The winner of the playoffs will advance to a do-or-die regional final against the winner of the other region for a shot at Berlin.

The current leaders in each region are:

North:

• FUSION X (4–0)

• Akave Esports Black (4–1)

South:

• KRÜ Blaze (4–0)

• 9z Team Female (4–1)

North America Series 3 Open Qualifier #2

As we approach Series 3, the second Open Qualifier starts on September 3. As with many other leagues, the qualifier consists of two stages.

The group stage has a double elimination best-of-3 format with two teams qualifying from each group.

Since groups A,B and C have only three teams participating, Shopify Rebellion, Refrag and oomfies will receive a first round BYE.

The Closed Qualifier begins on September 4. Similarly to Closed Qualifier #1 it has a single elimination best-of-3 format. Last time the top seeds of each group got a first round BYE. However, as there were 24 qualifying teams, it is unclear if that same rule applies here as well. Either way, this is the stage where the teams battle for circuit points and, if they win the tournament, a secured place in the Series 3 Main Event.

Shopify Rebellion were upset by FlyQuest RED last qualifier and are back for more. They’re the favorites to win, but could we see another major upset happen? Stay tuned to find out!

Brazil Series 3

Brazil will continue their competition with the first qualifier for Series 3, beginning on September 5. The qualifier will host a maximum of 64 teams fighting for Series 3 points, which will determine six out of the eight spots in the main event of Series 3.

The top two teams from Series 2, MiBR GC and LOUD Female, automatically qualify for Series 3, with regional powerhouse Team Liquid having to qualify through points.

This is the first of two qualifiers giving teams a chance to secure points for Series 3, and will take place from September 5 through September 8.

Bottom Line

While the VCT season has drawn to a close, the Valorant season has not yet concluded. There is a lot of exciting competition yet to take place, especially as more teams set their eyes on the Game Changers Championship.