Allow me to introduce you to Bee, the lead developer of Amorant. In the backdrop of our conversation, a collection of signed Valorant merchandise adds a touch of nostalgia, featuring a notably flat Tactibear and framed, signed pieces of fan art. We delve into the recent VCT circuit, where Bee and their team finally unveiled Amorant to the world. My curiosity piques as I notice two impressive cardboard cutouts of Phoenix and Sage, which they somehow transported from Texas to London and then to Paris. Bee chuckles, recounting the customs process: “You just check it like a regular bag. You say, ‘hey, that’s two cardboard cutouts, there’s an airtag in there, it’s labeled as ‘waifus,’ as you can see on my phone.’ I had to label it with something!”
This journey is all for a Valorant dating sim that, for many, seemed to have flickered out on April 1, 2021. I recall writing about the Agents of Romance reveal and have followed Bee’s project since its inception, reminiscing about Radiants and Romance. To witness them take the leap to Champions—the FPS game’s most significant tournament—and secure their own booth is nothing short of remarkable. Almost five years later, what began as a small indie project has proven to be vibrant and resilient.
Gameplay Experience
I had the opportunity to play the VCT version of the demo before catching up with Bee, and it exceeded all my expectations. Cast as the Valorant Protocol’s new janitor, players are thrust into chaos when the ever-enthusiastic Phoenix accidentally ignites the kitchen while attempting to bake a cake for second-in-command Viper. The scene escalates as Viper catches him in the act, leaving you to deal with the sugary aftermath. The game offers various dialogue options to help soothe the now-flustered Phoenix, whose confidence takes a hit when he overhears Viper’s critique of his impulsive nature.
The demo lasts around ten minutes, but the full game promises to be much more expansive. Bee shares that it received “super positive reactions” at Champions, noting the diverse audience: “We had a big mix of people—some who had never heard of us and others who had been following us for years, saying, ‘Oh my God, you guys actually did it. I can’t believe you’re here!’ Then there were those who thought we were joking. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive.”
A Unique Approach to Romance
However, Bee emphasizes that Amorant isn’t your typical dating sim. While it retains its Valorant roots, it diverges from the norm where players simply pursue a character to win their affection. Instead, Bee describes it as “an actual story experience where there are romantic options, but it’s more about understanding why you should like this character rather than just trying to make them like you.” The game fosters a friend system, where romance may yield alternative splash art and additional dialogue lines, with all romantic options clearly marked—”If you want to hold hands, I won’t stop you!”
To truly highlight the agents, each of the eleven launch characters, including Killjoy, will have their own narrative path. For instance, Bee reveals plans for Cypher’s route to feature an Ace Attorney-style detective story, culminating in a dramatic turnabout with entirely new artwork and mechanics. “For Brimstone, we’re playing a DnD session, so we want to completely change the art style—his player character will differ significantly from his in-game sprite,” they explain. Although not every agent will be available at launch, Bee assures that future character tracks are already in development.
Bee acknowledges the anticipation surrounding favorite agents: “I know a lot of people are waiting for their favorite agent to drop, but just because they aren’t getting their own fully fleshed story yet doesn’t mean they won’t be involved in the game sooner than expected. We already have sprites for agents like Neon and Fade, who will appear in other agents’ stories. We have a breakroom area where players can interact with agents in shorter narratives—consider it a teaser before the main course.”
Commitment to Authenticity
What resonates deeply with Amorant is its authenticity. When I compliment Phoenix’s portrayal, Bee beams with pride, revealing that they are his writer. “I’m gonna be the first to admit that I’m a 30-year-old person who writes fan-fiction,” they laugh. “I’ve got two 80-page Valorant fan-fics, plus Amorant—come at me. We’re well beyond the cringe point here.” They emphasize the importance of authenticity in their work, stating, “I did a lot of research—not just playing Valorant but also listening to Phoenix’s voice lines. I constantly asked myself, ‘Do I hear this in Afolabi [Alli, Phoenix’s VA]’s voice?’ If I do, that’s the right direction.” Bee also highlights the role of Culture Consults in their team, especially for characters like Sage, ensuring that her narrative is crafted with respect and sensitivity.
As we reflect on the evolution of Amorant, I can’t help but feel excited for what’s to come. With the demo released on October 13, Bee and I reminisce about the original article I penned in 2022, sharing laughter over our characters’ romantic pursuits—while they lean towards Cypher, my focus remains firmly on Viper.
Bee concludes with a sense of wonder: “We didn’t think we’d get this far—we’re still kind of like, what just happened? The biggest takeaway is, for anyone who sees this and thinks, ‘I wish that could be me,’ it could be! I’ve met people I’d have never met otherwise and made friends around the world. So just be a little cringe and follow your heart—let it happen.”
