Riot and Zedd team up on the Spectrum skin line, VALORANT’s first audio-driven bundle

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Riot Games has revealed Spectrum, VALORANT’s first line of audio-driven skins created in collaboration with world-renowned DJ Zedd.

VALORANT is home to dozens of unique skin designs that are perfect for almost any aesthetic, ranging from minimal designs to futuristic color beams. But the new Spectrum skin line takes a different approach, focusing first on sound design and last on skin models.

For Spectrum, we worked backwards first with the audio, then with the VFXs and finally with the model, said Chris Stone, senior weapons artist for VALORANT. This required us to slightly rethink how we normally produce skins, but it was also a fun challenge for the team that allowed us to develop the best possible skin.

The Spectrum skin line comes in collaboration with Zedd, who is a VALORANT enthusiast, as well as being a world-class DJ. The skin line was teased during the Year One Anthem video earlier this summer, and fans waited patiently for the skins to be revealed. Zedd was more involved than fans expected, helping to create the vision and feel of nearly every sound in the package.

Senior sound designer Isaac Kikawa explained that Zedd provided a sonic vision that Kikawa would adapt to fit the VALORANT play space. This created something that sounded like Zedd but matched the world of VALORANT.

Zedd and VALORANT sound designer Isaac Kikawa mix custom sound effects at Riot Games sound studio. | Photo via Riot Games

It helps that Zedd is a VALORANT enthusiast and is also an Immortal rated player.

The first time I got my hands on VALORANT, I practically stopped playing all the other games. It was the perfect combination of my favorite games, Zedd said. When I was younger I was obsessed with Counter-Strike, and in the last few years I have played a lot of Overwatch, but it seemed to me that the space for “friction” moments was not there. When I first heard about VALORANT, I thought it might combine my love of skills with the high impact gameplay of a game like Counter-Strike.

The Spectrum bundle is one of the most ambitious and complex skin lines the team has ever made, according to senior VALORANT producer Preeti Khanolkar. The details of each skin result in multiple shit moments, and Zedd contributed a significant amount of work to the unique sounds for each weapon.

The new skins are also designed to be attractive to players, according to VALORANT art director Sean Marino. Even if gamers are unfamiliar with Zedd or its brand, the sci-fi and heavy-sounding skins are an excellent choice for any gamer looking for a new skin pack.

Spectrum skins are for everyone. | Image via Riot Games

The Spectrum bundle includes skins for Phantom, Classic, Bulldog, Guardian and Waveform Melee. The basic version of each skin includes the custom model and the ADS reticle that changes color as you move. Level two adds a custom muzzle flash and firing audio, and the muzzle flash color changes as you move across the map.

Level three adds custom gear and recharges audio and visual effects, as well as accent colors that change as you move. This level also introduces a custom inspection sound that is different for each weapon and pulsates to the rhythm of other sounds. The unique inspection sound is known as Sequence and highlights how much work went into creating a unique audio experience.

Level four adds a kill banner and finisher, which are two of the more exciting additions in the skin line. The finisher creates a Zedd and VALORANT logo above the slain player, enveloping the area in a colorful experience reminiscent of a nightclub. The finisher changes color based on where it spawns and is slightly different if the bomb still needs to be defused when activated.

The pack also includes a Spectrum Gun Friend, a Zedd Gun Friend, a Spectrum Player Card, and a Spectrum Spray. The melee weapons and skin have black, red, and purple / pink variants. The melee skin also has a custom inspection sound that plays a unique melody.

The Spectrum package opens the door for other artists to collaborate with the VALROANT team to create a unique experience. Zedd was heavily involved in almost every stage and fans can see the hard work and dedication in the finished product. Perhaps another popular artist will follow the same path in the future.

The Spectrum package costs 10,700 VP and is in the price range of the exclusive edition. Make sure you buy the package before it’s too late.

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