Esports organisation FPX has rebranded its Chinese VALORANT roster ZHUQUE ahead of the game’s release in China this year.
ZHUQUE will now carry the FPX name as the organisation looks to strengthen its position in Asia’s VALORANT ecosystem, following its move away from the European scene.
FPX originally entered Europe in 2020, claiming a VCT Masters title and finishing in the top four of VCT Champions last year. However, despite its success the organisation was not named as a partner team for the VALORANT Champions Tour in EMEA, Pacific or the Americas.
ZHUQUE was also launched by the Chinese organisation in 2020 as its official team in Asia, and has previously competed in lower tiered invitational competitions.
VALORANT’s esports ecosystem in China looks set to develop in full force this year after the Chinese government’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) approved the game in the country. The decision was made public on December 27th 2022 through a list that detailed which new games will become playable to the Chinese public.
In the announcement, FPX stated: “As VALORANT has been set to launch in China, ZHUQUE will take over the banner of FPX VALORANT and continue to compete in the VALORANT esports scene under the name of FPX.
“Our path to VALORANRT was never easy, but now, we’re ready to set foot on a new adventure!”
Outside of VALORANT, FPX also competes in League of Legends’ LPL franchise tournament as well as in CS:GO. Some of the organisation’s notable commercial partners also include the likes of Puma, Huya, BMW and Oppo, according to FPX’s social media channels.
