VALORANT is marking its five-year anniversary with the debut of a new cinematic, “Why We Fight,” accompanied by a single called “EGO” from rising artist Qing Madi. Riot Games Music collaborated closely with the game’s creative team to craft a music-driven narrative that draws inspiration from the First Light event in Alpha Earth and expands upon the lore of VALORANT.

The cinematic introduces Mary Ade, who is revealed as Phoenix’s sister and stands as the first non-playable character in the VALORANT universe. Mary’s presence serves both to deepen Phoenix’s backstory and to prompt the game’s agents to reflect on the personal stakes that drove them into the conflict. Through evocative visuals and storytelling, the sequence underscores the emotional journey of long-time players alongside the inner struggles faced by agents such as Phoenix.

“EGO,” the single by Qing Madi, anchors the cinematic’s thematic duality. The song embodies both a celebration of the community that has supported VALORANT since its launch and the internal conflicts agents endure in pursuit of their ideals. Riot’s music supervisor highlighted that Qing Madi’s initial demo for “EGO” captured precisely the layered emotions the team hoped to explore, serving as a foundation for the cinematic’s narrative.

Valiant efforts from the development team aimed to create a moment that honored dedicated players while acknowledging new challenges on the horizon. VALORANT’s studio leadership emphasized that reaching five years prompted reflection on past milestones, renewed commitment to the game’s future, and gratitude toward a growing global audience. The creation of Mary Ade exemplifies this approach by humanizing an agent’s personal life and reinforcing the idea that every character’s choices carry weight both in battle and beyond.

The “Why We Fight” cinematic and Qing Madi’s “EGO” are available for viewing and listening now through Riot Games’ official channels.