Riot seeks wired mice after Valorant Champions desk issues

Riot Games has asked players at Valorant Champions Shanghai to use wired mice after repeated interference caused technical pauses during matches. The problem has been linked to the material used in the competition’s custom metal desks, which Riot plans to replace.

The request comes as the tournament enters its second week. Riot acknowledged that the interruptions had fallen short of its standards for players and fans, and said a wired connection was the best available way to limit further disruption until the desks can be changed.

A temporary fix for players

Many competitors had already switched to wired mice, according to Riot. The organiser recognised, however, that changing peripherals during a major event is not a simple adjustment for players.

“Until then, we are asking all players to use a wired mouse connection to minimize further disruption, which many players have already opted to do. We understand that peripheral settings are a significant part of how players perform and that muscle memory matters,” Riot said.

Riot described the measure as imperfect. It has not given an end date for the wired-mouse request or set out a future policy for wireless peripherals.

Disputed round in FUT–100 Thieves series

The technical problems took on added significance during round two of Split in the series between FUT Esports and 100 Thieves. FUT player Yusuf “xeus” Doğan Gözgen could not fire his weapon in a 2v1 situation, but the round was not replayed at the time.

Riot later concluded that the round should have been rolled back and accepted responsibility for the error. It decided to let the match result stand, citing the implications of overturning a win by a team that had played under the same conditions and was not responsible for the fault.

100 Thieves won the series 2-0 and advanced to the playoffs. FUT faced a lower-bracket match. The episode has put both the equipment issue and Riot’s handling of an affected round under scrutiny.

Desk replacement is the next step

Riot says it will continue working to address the interference and apply tournament rules objectively and transparently. Replacing the metal desks with ones made from a different material is its planned response; wired mice remain the interim measure.

Stage design has previously drawn attention at Riot events. At Masters London, desks were altered with a lip and light bars after concerns about clutch “cheating.” The wired-mouse request is intended to limit further interruptions while Riot works on the desk replacement.