It’s always great to start the morning with some feel-good news regarding the gaming industry. In a world so focused on acquiring Call of Duty, garnishing hackers’ wages for the rest of their lives and acting like going to court is the ultimate boss battle, it’s nice when something that’s just good comes out.
Today’s dose of good vibes comes from an unlikely source, Valorant. Riots FPS game recently rolled out its latest update, and within that content is an extraordinary tribute to a late pro player.
Yesterday afternoon, Season 6, Act 3 of Valorant went live alongside an all-new battle pass. Like in previous seasons, players can purchase the premium pass to access all the exclusive cosmetics and gun skins as they gain XP from matches.
In this season’s battle pass, players can unlock the title “Gizem”, a tribute to the late Turkish pro player Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya, who passed away in February after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
Gizem had competed in Valorant Game Changers EMEA under the team Unknownpros Female, and her last match with them was in September last year.
A very special tribute in memory of Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya in the new Battlepass. pic.twitter.com/NGW9BIys17
— Jo-Ellen Aragon (@RiotJoEllenPDF) April 25, 2023
Since yesterday, many players have found themselves taken aback by the touching tribute to Gizem, as well as family friends of the pro player. Riot has also offered financial assistance to many earthquake victims and encouraged players to donate to the International Medical Corps during esports events.
Something like this is an excellent show of solidarity and acknowledgement from Riot, especially as many pro players come from the countries affected. It’s nice to see that Riots support doesn’t end just with tributes in battle passes, as welcome as they are.
So here’s to Gizem “Luie” Harmankaya. May your spirit and name live on within Valorant forever.