Riot Games and The Mill Tease Epic New Chapter of Gaming World VALORANT

Riot Games has teamed up with global production studio The Mill to produce a four-minute trailer, transporting fans to the action-packed world of VALORANT, illuminating the next chapter of the gaming journey. 

With creative audaciousness at the heart of their philosophy, Riot wanted to dedicate the chapter as a gift to the player universe, through episodic shots telling the story of each character, capturing past and future anecdotes in an epic global film released across their digital channels. 

Riot teamed up with The Mill’s director Carl Addy to create the piece, which enlisted a global team of artists across multiple disciplines. Carl stated: “The film utilises all the modern technology of The Mill and its global community, with influencers shot across the world, live action being filmed in Bulgaria, written and directed in London, to being produced in LA

Among VALORANT’S loyal fan base and avid gamer was American music producer DJ Zedd, who was one of the many influencers filmed playing the game across the globe. DJ Zedd also remixed a song for a section of the trailer featuring shadow figure Omen.

The Mill’s head of 2D Pete Hodsman adds: “From the moment I saw Carl’s treatment I was hooked. We embarked on designing an intoxicating and overflowing film, with ‘eyeball breaking’ results. Collaborating directly with the visionaries at Riot was a joy, they allowed us space to express, but kept us in check to make sure that the VALORANT IP was pitch perfect and Easter egg laden. Seeing them light up with excitement as the work in progress developed really spurred us on. The credit list speaks for itself, the project spanned most disciplines and creative departments across 5 of our Mill studios. From top level traditional VFX production creating otherworldly full CG cities, rocket FX simulation and CG character integration. Through to freeform and high concept paintovers and VALORANT glitch graphics. There were an intimidating number of scenes and transitions to develop, and lots of fun and colourful creative problem solves, these projects don’t come around all that often. And we relished the opportunity”