While Patch 4.02 wasn't the biggest revolution the game has experienced, it was an incredible treat for data miners. It's as if this update is a mini-teaser of the new Act, which is coming out in less than a month.
At this point, we all know that Act 2 will not bring any new Agent or Map. But does that mean no new content? Not at all. It seems that Riot still cares about keeping the game fresh, except that this time, instead of adding new content, they drastically change the old one, a great example of which is the Yoru rework.
But it doesn't end with Yoru rework and Agent balance changes in general. Shortly after the release of Patch 4.02, data miners found files that preview the arrival of new content, such as a new game mode, a new progress system, and some map changes.
- Get ready for the first VCT Challengers tournament this year: VCT Stage 1 Challengers 2022: Teams, Prize Pool, Streams & More (NA/EMEA)
New Game Mode
Game files of Patch 4.02 contain a brief description of a new game mode.
Teams will compete by Capturing points, both teams will race for the highest score.
That's all we got now, but that description alone suggests to us that it will be something similar to the "Capture the flag" mode we've seen in games like Halo Infinite or Call of Duty. We wouldn't think like this game mode will stay with us for long – just like Replication or Snowball Fight, we expect it to be in the pool of rotating modes.
Act Points Progress System
It also seems that the progression system in Valorant will get a massive rework. Here's what ValorLeaks managed to dig up from game files:
Progression in Valorant seems to be getting a rework.> A Daily Ticket will be added to the game.> Match Boxes: Rewards for playing Matches and Bonus boxes are awarded for winning.> This will also have a credit system.(image provided for context)#VALORANT pic.twitter.com/WL058NFxYT
— Mike - Valorant Leaks & Info (@ValorLeaks) December 4, 2021
New Progression Info | #VALORANT > You will be able to earn boxes from wins or a logging in daily.> The new system will have an Act Points System. Points will be awarded to your account when you open boxes. pic.twitter.com/K4rNlikBna
— Mike - Valorant Leaks & Info (@ValorLeaks) February 2, 2022
The question is, what's inside the box? Honestly, it could be anything – small amount of Valorant Points, Radianite, Extra XP, some temporary XP boosts, anything.
It is also worth mentioning that Riot has repeatedly said that they would like to introduce a reward system for good player behavior, and who knows, maybe these boxes will be a part of that. Like, maybe people who have been recommended more often as "good teammates" will usually get more points/XP? Again, we have no idea; it's all just speculation for now.
Icebox Update
And, we're getting even more boxes! One of the Valorant data miners, floxay, found a couple of exciting changes that are coming for Icebox, and here are all of them (but note that these may change):
Most of these changes (like placing a double box on B, or changing a half-box into a full box on A) focus on making the life easier for Defenders, and that seems to be Riot's goal - to make maps as balanced as possible. And overall, let's agree that Icebox is a good map to start with.
Finally, let's take this paragraph to appreciate people who are spending hours data mining into game files to find such leaks for the community. Sure, Riot isn't making a big deal out of their future plans and is probably throwing all these changes into the game files to see how the community reacts, but it still takes some hard work to get these things out.