Which game series does Wikipedia say Valorant takes inspiration from?

Wikipedia says VALORANT takes inspiration from the Counter-Strike series. The connection is most visible in its round-based tactical-shooter structure, economy, weapon handling, and emphasis on careful positioning and accurate gunfire.

VALORANT adds a major new layer through Agents with distinct abilities, but its basic competitive framework remains recognizably tactical. Teams attack or defend sites, purchase equipment between rounds, manage limited resources, and often win through coordination rather than constant respawning. These features help explain why Counter-Strike is the canonical answer rather than a broad label such as “first-person shooters.”

The comparison does not mean the games are identical. VALORANT combines Counter-Strike-style fundamentals with character abilities, ultimates, a different visual identity, and its own maps, weapons, and competitive systems. Other games may be mentioned when discussing VALORANT’s genre or influences, but Wikipedia specifically identifies the Counter-Strike series as an inspiration.

Development began under the codename Project A, and VALORANT was released for Windows in June 2020. Riot later brought the game to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.