Valorant players call out Riot for “greedy” new cosmetic type

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It appears that Valorant has unveiled a fresh category of cosmetics, but the response from the community is less than favorable, with many labeling it as “unnecessary” and a potential attempt at “maximizing profits.

In a recent update, version 10.00, Valorant welcomes a new character named Tejo among other game adjustments. This release also introduces FLEX as one of its innovative features.

As a passionate player, let me clarify that I’m not referring to the term that signifies swapping between roles, but rather a fresh, exciting cosmetic element I encountered in the competitive shooter game.

To be completely honest, I’ve noticed a lot of folks labeling this feature as “useless” and claiming it’s just a sneaky social experiment to gauge how deep our pockets go when it comes to spending cash on this game.

FLEX cosmetic explained

FLEX essentially functions as a decorative item within the game that players can handle and activate during gameplay. To use this decoration, you attach it to your Spray Wheel. Then, at any point during the game, you can pull out the Spray Wheel to see its actions or repeatedly use it.

Introducing FLEX, a new Cosmetic Type | #VALORANT

— Mike | Valorant Leaks & News (@ValorLeaks) January 6, 2025

This item features animations that are visible only from your perspective, meaning others won’t see them when they’re observing you from a third-person angle. Moreover, using this cosmetic doesn’t boost your speed; it’s primarily intended for aesthetic reasons.

Valorant players are fuming over new FLEX cosmetics

Ever since FLEX made its debut, I’ve noticed that it’s sparked comparisons to Souvenirs from Overwatch. However, unlike the Winton souvenir, which some found amusing, these random item cosmetics in Valorant have left many players underwhelmed, feeling they are simply a cash grab rather than creative and inspiring additions to the game.

Others have accused Riot Games of behaving in a financially greedy manner, as they’ve introduced a new cosmetic item that could potentially cause bundle prices to rise.

A user mentioned that ‘Flex’ will soon be incorporated into skin bundles, leading to a 10% increase in the overall bundle cost.

In the meantime, one participant is leaning towards the belief that this must be some form of “social study.” They expressed it as follows: “Either they’re curious to see if people will buy into this, or their avarice is reaching excessive levels.

Among the frequent criticisms expressed on social media platforms, a prevalent concern voiced by gamers is that this particular cosmetic item seems to lack a genuine function or utility.

A user proposed an idea of creating cosmetic items in games that have no impact on gameplay, but serve as fun, interactive gadgets similar to fidget toys. They found this concept incredibly brilliant.

A different user didn’t show any signs of hesitation when they commented: “The next software update will enable the phone to play TikTok videos, thereby finishing the process of cognitive decay.

To date, we’ve uncovered two FLEX items: a snowflake and a phone, the latter being obtainable at no cost by one participant. Yet, it’s evident that the player base isn’t particularly fond of these offerings.

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2025-01-08 16:02