Valorant introduces its first non-binary character
Popular first-person shooter game Valorant has debuted its first non-binary agent.
At the VCT Masters Madrid on March 24, Riot Games introduced Clove, a "Scottish troublemaker" who also goes by they/them pronouns.
"When creating an agent, we strive to authentically represent a cast of diverse characters that reflect our global player base," Riot Games said in a statement on the new agent.
"This extends beyond just location and culture—Clove's gender identity, along with their personality and unique gameplay style, is an equally important facet that has helped shape who they are as a Valorant agent."
Clove is also described as "fearless" in the way they talk, live, and approach the game. The agent is also the first character in Valorant to hail from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Her in-game skills include absorbing life force from a fallen enemy, placing "clouds" to block visions of enemies on the map, and resurrection.
"More than their penchant to spin a yarn or crack a joke, Clove’s connection to their community is both active and involved. They care about making space for others—be it in Scotland or elsewhere—and fighting for people too timid to fight for themselves," Narrative writer Ryan "Pwam" Clements said.
Clove isn't the first LGBTQ+ character in Valorant as the game introduced Raze and Killjoy, a lesbian couple, in 2022.
In the same year, Valorant also introduced its first Manila-born agent, Neon.