VALORANT Pros Call Out VCT EMEA for Lasting Technical Issues

Following the VCT EMEA Stage 1 games last night, former Fnatic and Team Vitality star Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev voiced his frustration over the ongoing tech issues plaguing the competition.

In a tweet, Derke outlined concerns regarding the hardware used on stage, fans missing out on the action, and the lack of a satisfactory response from the tournament organizers.

A Mismanagement of the Utmost Degree

Derke’s frustration with VCT EMEA primarily stems from the lack of any meaningful resolution. As someone who's been part of the new Partnered league from day one, he claims the tech issues have existed since its inception.

The systems used for a supposed elite-tier competition fall short of industry standards. To make matters worse, constant in-game stuttering issues continue despite repeated reassurances.

Further adding to the chaos, VCT EMEA did not allow the crowd to attend Wednesday’s games—without consulting the teams. Neither the crowd nor the teams were given any advance notice.

The breaking point, however, was the VCT EMEA Week 5 games. At a crucial moment in the competition, “Tier-1” pros were forced to play online with 30ms latency on stage—meaning they had neither the comfort of their home setups nor the low latency expected at LAN. Ironically, players get better ping at home than on-stage.

According to both Derke and ANGE1, having to share the studio with the LEC has been a major factor in the poor setups. With the studio in use throughout the week, the turnaround time between leagues is minimal. And since League doesn’t require the same hardware demands as an FPS title, the lack of complaints from LEC is being used as a convenient excuse by Riot Games.

Riot Games Needs to Take Accountability

Addressing the tech pauses, Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports EMEA, cited the lack of downtime as the biggest hurdle in resolving these issues. But ignoring ongoing complaints about sub-par hardware reflects a reluctance to take responsibility.

Persistent problems at the top level paint a bleak picture for Riot Games. And if Derke’s tweet is anything to go by, this wasn’t an isolated incident—it was a pattern of negligence.

If Riot Games is unwilling to involve third-party organizers for their primary league, they must at least ensure the competition runs smoothly and the pros showcasing their IP aren’t burdened with such fundamental issues.

What’s worse is that while Derke faces these problems in Tier 1, the regional leagues deal with similar—if not worse—issues that often get swept under the rug. While Riot might not directly run these regional events, they audit the organizers and oversee operations. It’s their job to ensure standards are met and players aren’t left frustrated.

Since Riot insists on managing these tournaments, they need to take accountability for the ongoing mismanagement—and ensure these issues don’t persist.

Don't forget to check out Strafe Esports for all the latest VALORANT news and our X account for the latest content and coverage of your favorite eSports.

Also, don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credits: VCT EMEA // Riot Games 

Read More: Batman plays VALORANT? Ben Affleck’s Unexpected Interest in Riot Games’ Tac-Shooter