On April 25, 2025, the much-anticipated VCT EMEA match between Team Liquid and Karmine Corps faced a series of technical difficulties, leading Riot Games to halt the broadcast entirely. The company expressed its regret through a formal apology issued on the Valorant Esports EMEA account, noting that a revised schedule for the upcoming matches would be unveiled shortly. This disruption also resulted in the indefinite postponement of the impending clash between Fnatic and Team Heretics.
Earlier that day, Nikita “Derke”Sirmitev, a prominent player from Team Vitality, took to X to voice his frustrations regarding ongoing problems within the VCT EMEA circuit. He highlighted issues ranging from subpar hardware quality to ineffective audience management, signaling widespread discontent among players.
Reactions poured in from notable players including NAVI’s Kyrylo “ANGE1″Karasov and Tyson “TenZ”Ngo, with Derke’s post rapidly gaining traction, amassing over 2 million views at the time of writing.
Concerns Over Hardware and Player Experience
In his post, Derke pointed out that many of the technical problems had persisted since the inception of the franchising system, emphasizing the need for better equipment for LAN events held at Riot Games Arena in Berlin. He expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the monitors and PCs used, noting that despite extensive player feedback, conditions have not improved.
Derke stated, “the recurrent ‘tech pauses’ are a direct result of ongoing stuttering issues,”illustrating how these problems disrupt gameplay and detract from the competitive experience.
Providing context, Derke compared the VCT EMEA’s equipment to that of other regions:
“It’s honestly shocking to see every other region with superior PCs and monitors, while in EMEA we’re stuck with setups from League of Legends.”
Moreover, he criticized the official responses that downplayed their concerns, with his post claiming that a typical retort was, “But League of Legends doesn’t have this problem,”a sentiment echoed by fans and analysts alike.
In a discussion on the ValorantCompetitive subreddit, a user pointed out similar frustrations faced by LEC (League of Legends European Championship) fans, drawing parallels and suggesting that the problems transcend titles, hinting at a broader systemic issue.
Hoc Wah “Fayde”Chong, head coach for Wolves Esports in VCT China, also weighed in, praising the organizers in his region for regularly upgrading equipment and facilities, a stark contrast to what players are experiencing in VCT EMEA.
Derke also addressed the troubling lack of an audience for VCT EMEA matches, revealing that players were not informed about the crowd’s removal for Wednesday games. This aspect, he noted, severely impacts new players making their Tier 1 debuts, robbing them of a vital experience.
ANGE1 shared his thoughts on the audience situation, linking it to the shared venue’s schedule with LEC, shedding light on the complexities of managing multiple esports events in the same location.
Reactions from the Community: TenZ, kamyk, and ZE1SH Speak Out
Among the notable responses to Derke’s comments, TenZ highlighted how the ongoing technical issues within the VCT circuit influenced his decision to step away from competitive play.
The Valorant community reacted with mixed sentiments, with some calling TenZ’s remarks “scathing,”while others humorously speculated how Riot officials might react to these criticisms. Likewise, players like Maks “kamyk”Rychlewski and Karmine Corps’ coach, Ahmed “ZE1SH”Sheikh, echoed concerns about the welfare of new entrants in the competitive scene, particularly with a format that feels rushed and inhibits team growth.
As these discussions unfold, Riot Games has indicated plans to establish a Player Council. This initiative aims to provide a structured platform for professional players to voice their concerns directly regarding the operational aspects of Valorant Esports.
What’s Next for the VCT EMEA Broadcast?
Currently, the VCT EMEA broadcast is on indefinite hold, including the postponed matches of Team Liquid vs Karmine Corps and Fnatic vs Team Heretics that were slated for April 25. Riot Games is prioritizing the technical rework of the Riot Games Arena in Berlin and plans to deliver a revised schedule for the concluding group stage matches and playoffs shortly.