Meet Bee, the visionary lead developer behind Amorant, the fan-made Valorant dating simulator. Surrounded by an impressive collection of signed Valorant merchandise—including a slightly flattened Tactibear and framed fan art—Bee shares insights into the game’s recent debut at the VCT circuit. Our conversation, however, is frequently drawn to the two enormous cardboard cutouts of Phoenix and Sage that Bee somehow transported from Texas, across London, and finally to Paris. “For customs, you just check them like regular luggage,” Bee explains with a chuckle. “You just say, ‘hey, those are two cardboard cutouts, there’s an AirTag in there, and they’re labeled as ‘waifus,’ as you can see on my phone.’ I had to call them something!”
All this passion is dedicated to a Valorant dating sim that many thought would remain an April Fools’ joke from 2021. I recall covering the initial ‘Agents of Romance’ reveal and have followed Bee’s project, formerly known as ‘Radiants and Romance,’ since its very beginning. It’s truly incredible to witness this small indie endeavor evolve and secure its own booth at Champions, the biggest tournament for the popular FPS. Nearly five years later, what I expected to be a fleeting joke is now a thriving reality.
Having played the VCT demo before our chat, I can confirm it delivers everything my inner fan-fiction enthusiast dreamed of. Players are cast as the newest janitor for the Valorant Protocol, immediately thrust into a literal fiery situation. The charmingly reckless Phoenix accidentally sets the kitchen ablaze while attempting to bake a cake for Viper, the formidable second-in-command. When Viper discovers the culinary chaos, she storms off, leaving you to literally clean up the gooey mess. The game offers various dialogue choices to comfort a now-distraught Phoenix, whose morale dips further upon overhearing Viper discuss his impulsiveness with Brimstone.
While the demo I experienced was roughly ten minutes, Bee assures me the full game is considerably larger. At Champions, the demo garnered “super positive reactions.” Bee notes, “We encountered a diverse crowd: some had never heard of us, others had followed us for years and were ecstatic that we actually pulled it off, and then there were those who genuinely thought we were joking.” They add, “It felt like those who understood the concept embraced it instantly, while newcomers had a swift, but ultimately positive, introduction.”
However, Bee clarifies that Amorant isn’t a “traditional dating sim.” Beyond its Valorant origins, unlike most romance games where players simply choose a character to constantly woo, Bee emphasizes that Amorant offers “a genuine story experience with romantic avenues. It’s more about understanding ‘why you should like this character’ rather than just trying to make them like you.'” It functions primarily as a friendship system. Romance might yield an alternative splash art or a few extra lines of dialogue, but all romantic choices are clearly indicated—”if you want to hold hands, I won’t stop you!”
To ensure each agent takes center stage, all eleven launch characters, up to and including Killjoy, feature their own distinct story arcs. “For instance, Cypher’s path will delve into an Ace Attorney-style detective narrative, with its final chapter designed as a ‘turnabout’ moment, incorporating entirely new artwork and mechanics not currently present,” Bee explains. “For Brimstone, we envision a Dungeons & Dragons session, which will completely transform the art style, making the agents’ player characters distinctly different from their in-game sprites.” This ambitious vision means that “what we truly desire in our hearts requires time,” so not every agent will be available at launch. However, Bee reassures fans that future characters’ story tracks are already in development.
“While many eagerly await their favorite agent, their absence from a full story track at launch doesn’t mean they won’t appear in the game, possibly sooner than anticipated,” Bee notes. “We’ve already developed sprites for agents like Neon and Fade, who might not have their dedicated routes for a while, but they will still feature in other agents’ stories. We’ve even included a breakroom where players can engage in brief interactions with various agents—offering a taste before the main course.”
What truly impresses me about Amorant is its remarkable authenticity. When I commend Phoenix’s portrayal and design, Bee—who, it turns out, is his writer—smiles broadly. “I’ll be the first to admit I’m a 30-year-old, and yes, I write fan-fiction,” they laugh. “I’ve got two 80-page Valorant fan-fics, not to mention others, plus Amorant—so, bring it on. We’re far past the point of ‘cringe’ here; the iceberg has fully departed the glacier!” Our conversation quickly dissolves into shared laughter.
Once composed, Bee emphasizes, “Authenticity is incredibly important to me.” They explain, “I conducted extensive research, not only playing Valorant but meticulously listening to Phoenix’s voicelines. As I wrote, I constantly questioned, ‘Can I hear Afolabi Alli [Phoenix’s voice actor] delivering these lines?’ If so, I knew I was on the right track.” Bee also credits their step-dad’s English background and various TV shows as additional sources of inspiration.
“For other agents, our team includes ‘Culture Consults,’ particularly for Sage’s narrative,” Bee adds. “We’re fortunate that her story path is penned by individuals of Chinese heritage. Our goal is to ensure respect and representation, making players feel seen. In a game that’s fundamentally a love letter to these characters, authenticity is paramount; otherwise, it won’t resonate with the audience.”
Far from falling flat, Amorant is a triumph. As I’ve followed this project for a long time (cue dramatic fist-shaking at the sky, longing for the “good old days”), having finally experienced it, I’m buzzing with anticipation for what’s next. With the Amorant demo now available, Bee and I reflect on an article I wrote about the game in 2022. While Bee confesses a desire to “hold hands with Cypher,” my focus remains steadfastly on Viper.
“We honestly didn’t expect to come this far—we’re still in disbelief, wondering ‘what just happened?'” Bee laughs, reflecting on the journey. “The most important message I can share is: for anyone watching this and wishing they could achieve something similar, you absolutely can! I’ve connected with people I never would have met otherwise and forged friendships globally. I even stood beside the 2XKO demo in Paris, made a complete fool of myself, and it all worked out fine. So, don’t be afraid to embrace a little ‘cringe,’ follow your heart, and let your passions lead the way.”