VALORANT 5th Anniversary Cinematic Introduces Phoenix’s Sister & New Song

Valorant

June 2, 2025

Ahsan Kabir

Riot Games has unveiled a new cinematic called “Why We Fight” to celebrate five years of VALORANT. This short film, released on June 2, 2025, give a look into the game’s story and also debuts Nigerian singer-songwriter Qing Madi’s newest single, “EGO”. The cinematic has both emotional and exciting bits, capturing the hearts of VAORANT players across the globe.

Everything to Know about the new VAORANT cinematic – “Why We Fight”

The cinematic is inspired by the First Light event, which was a big moment in VALORANT’s lore and brought about the creation of Alpha Earth and the formation of the Valorant Protocol. In “Why We Fight”, the agents’ motivations and sacrifices are highlighted.

Sometimes it shifts in tone from serious to almost nostalgic, before turning hopeful again. This cameo of Mary Ade-Phoenix’s sister-is especially notable. Mary isn’t playable, but her appearance gives depth to Phoenix’s backstory and suggests more upcoming storylines. You can watch the cinematic on Riot’s official YouTube channel.

A major part of this cinematic is the track “EGO” by Qing Madi. The song mixes Afrobeats, pop, soul, and R&B, and it does match the cinematic’s emotional beats very well. In previous projects like “Qing Madi” and “I Am the Blueprint”, she already impressed many, and here she once again delivers a fresh sound.

Riot Games Music is clearly aiming to bring in diverse artists into their projects, and this collaboration only reinforces that intent. David Nottingham, Creative Director on VALORANT, revealed that Mary’s inclusion and her song were specifically designed to “embody the duality” of the celebration, honoring long-time players and showcasing the emotional journeys of agents like Phoenix.

What Comes Next for VALORANT

Image Credits: Riot Games

Beyond the cinematic, Riot Games announced that VALORANT will move to Unreal Engine 5 in July 2025 with patch 11.02. This will promise better frame rates and faster updates. Also, a replay system debuts in September with patch 11.06, allowing players to watch past matches and report misconduct. These changes show Riot’s commitment to improve both narrative and technical aspects of VALORANT.

In addition, Riot has also confirmed that VALORANT Esports will undergo big changes when the First VCT Cycle ends in 2027. There’s also further leaks of a new map releasing soon.

Fans can watch “Why We Fight” and listen to “EGO” on VALORANT’s YouTube channel. As VALORANT celebrates its fifth anniversary, Riot Games continues expanding the universe in both story and technology.