KGeN (The Kratos Gamer Network) has teamed up with Riot Games to launch Lift//Off, an online training academy dedicated to VALORANT, Riot's popular first-person shooter. This initiative aims to elevate gamers' skills by using performance metrics—such as hours played, win rates, kill-death ratios, and community achievements—to select top trainers, creators, and esports recruits.
Lift//Off will offer participants a platform to connect with the global esports community, with opportunities to compete in official VALORANT tournaments. Trainers and creators will also receive exclusive VALORANT merchandise. The academy will incorporate a mentorship program to develop participants' skills both in-game and in their broader esports careers, using data-driven insights to tailor challenges and tutorials.
Registrations for the academy will be open from September 18 to October 10, and final assessments will be conducted through November 30 to December 3.
Esports Training Academies
KGen and Riot Games Unite to Create a Digital VALORANT Training Academy
Trend Themes
1. Data-driven Esports Coaching - Incorporating performance metrics like hours played and kill-death ratios to select top trainers in the Lift//Off academy signifies a trend towards data-driven coaching in esports.
2. Esports Mentorship Programs - The academy's mentorship program, which uses data-driven insights to craft personalized development plans, highlights the growing emphasis on structured mentorship in the esports industry.
3. Digital Training Platforms - The creation of an online platform like Lift//Off indicates a shift towards digital and remote training solutions in the esports realm.
Industry Implications
1. Esports - Collaborations like the one between KGeN and Riot Games to launch a VALORANT training academy mark significant advancements in the esports sector.
2. Education Technology - The data-driven and mentorship-focused approach used in the Lift//Off academy represents burgeoning opportunities within the education technology industry.
3. Digital Platforms - The introduction of online training academies in the esports space highlights the evolving role of digital platforms in specialized training and skill development.