Meet Bee, the visionary lead developer behind Amorant. As we chat, a backdrop of signed Valorant merchandise, including a somewhat squished Tactibear and framed fanart, peeks into view. Our discussion centers on the recent VCT circuit, where Bee and their dedicated team finally unveiled Amorant to the world. My attention, however, is drawn to the two massive cardboard cutouts of Phoenix and Sage that Bee miraculously transported from Texas, through London, and all the way to Paris. ‘For customs, you just check them like regular luggage,’ Bee explains with a laugh. ‘You say, ‘hey, those are two cardboard cutouts, there’s an AirTag in there, and they’re labeled ‘waifus,’ as you can see on my phone.’ I couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘I had to call them something!’
All this effort for a Valorant dating sim, a concept many believed had its brief moment on April 1, 2021. I recall covering the ‘Agents of Romance’ reveal and have closely tracked Bee’s project ever since, even back to its ‘Radiants and Romance!’ days. Witnessing them bring it to Champions – the acclaimed FPS game’s most significant tournament – and secure their very own booth is truly remarkable. Nearly five years on, this small indie endeavor, which I thought would fade away, is vibrantly alive and thriving.
Before my chat with Bee, I had the chance to play the VCT demo version, and it delivered on every fan-fiction fantasy I had. You step into the role of the Valorant Protocol’s newest janitor, immediately plunged into literal chaos when the charming Phoenix accidentally incinerates the kitchen while attempting to bake a cake for the formidable Viper. Viper, in her characteristic style, discovers the mess, storms off, and leaves you to quite literally clean up the gooey, sugary aftermath. The demo presents various dialogue choices to help soothe the now-distraught Phoenix, whose morale plummets further upon overhearing Viper’s exasperated remarks about his impulsiveness to Brimstone.
While the demo I experienced lasted roughly ten minutes, the complete game promises a much grander scope. Bee remembers the ‘super positive reactions’ it garnered at Champions. ‘We saw such a diverse crowd,’ they explain. ‘Some people had never heard of us and were completely surprised, others had been dedicated followers for years, exclaiming ‘Oh my God, you actually did it! I can’t believe you’re here!’ Then there were those who were like, ‘I thought you were just joking.’ It felt like those who understood the humor immediately embraced it, and newcomers were introduced rather suddenly, but the overall reception was incredibly positive.’
However, Bee clarifies that Amorant isn’t a ‘traditional dating sim.’ Beyond its Valorant origins, unlike most romance games where you relentlessly woo a chosen character, Amorant is structured as ‘an actual story experience with romantic options, but it’s designed to show you why you might like a character, rather than just focusing on making them like you.’ It functions primarily as a friendship system. Romance might, at best, unlock alternative splash art and a few bonus dialogue lines. All romantic choices are clearly indicated, so ‘if you want to hold hands, I won’t stop you!’
To truly highlight the agents, each of the eleven initial characters (including Killjoy) features a unique story path. ‘For Cypher’s route, for instance, we’re envisioning an Ace Attorney-style detective narrative, with the final chapter culminating in a ‘turnabout’ – meaning completely fresh artwork and mechanics not currently present in the game,’ they reveal. ‘For Brimstone, we’re crafting a Dungeons and Dragons session, which will involve a complete art style overhaul, making the agents’ player characters look entirely distinct from their standard in-game sprites.’ Consequently, ‘what our hearts truly desire takes time,’ so not every agent will be available at launch. However, rest assured, the storylines for future characters are already well underway.
‘I understand many players are eagerly anticipating their favorite agent’s arrival,’ Bee continues, ‘but even if they don’t have a full story arc yet, it doesn’t mean they won’t appear in the game, possibly sooner than you think. We already possess sprites for agents like Neon and Fade, who might not get their dedicated routes for a while, but they will still be part of other agents’ narratives. We’ve also included a ‘breakroom’ where you can engage with agents in brief, charming interactions – consider it a taste before you get the full meal.’
What truly impressed me about Amorant, however, is its incredible authenticity. When I commend Phoenix’s portrayal and character design, Bee, who is actually his writer, beams. ‘I’ll be the first to admit I’m a 30-year-old who writes fan fiction,’ they say, chuckling. ‘I’ve penned two 80-page Valorant fan-fics, not to mention countless others, plus Amorant itself – bring it on. We’re far past the point of ‘cringe’ here. The iceberg has fully detached from the glacier!’ Our conversation erupts into shared laughter.
‘Authenticity is paramount to me,’ Bee affirms once the laughter subsides. ‘My research extended beyond just playing Valorant; I meticulously listened to all of Phoenix’s voicelines. While writing, I constantly asked myself, ‘Can I hear Afolabi Alli, Phoenix’s voice actor, saying this?’ If the answer was yes, I knew I was on the right track.’ They also mention their step-dad’s English background and various television shows as additional, albeit minor, creative influences.
‘For our other agents, we have dedicated ‘Culture Consults’ on the team, particularly for characters like Sage. We are incredibly fortunate that her story path is being written by individuals of Chinese heritage. Our goal is to ensure the game is respectful and that players feel represented, because for a project that’s essentially a love letter to these characters, it must stem from a place of genuine authenticity. Otherwise, it simply won’t resonate with the intended audience.’
Amorant, however, is far from falling flat. As I’ve observed this project for a long time (cue me shaking my fists at the clouds and longing for the good old days), having finally played it, I’m incredibly excited for what comes next. With the Amorant demo launching today, October 13, Bee and I reflect on my initial article from 2022. While Bee dreams of holding hands with Cypher, my attention remains steadfastly on Viper.
‘We never imagined we’d come this far – we’re still trying to process what just happened!’ Bee laughs, marveling at their journey. ‘The biggest lesson here is, for anyone who looks at this and thinks, ‘I wish I could do that,’ you absolutely can! I’ve connected with incredible people I otherwise never would have, forged friendships across the globe, and even made a fool of myself standing next to the 2XKO demo in Paris – and it all worked out. So, don’t be afraid to embrace a little ‘cringe,’ follow your heart, and just let it happen.’