Riot Clarifies Problematic Valorant Champions Shanghai Desks Weren’t From Secretlab
Valorant Champions Shanghai, the game’s most important tournament, was severely disrupted by unexpected technical issues stemming from faulty hardware setup. Custom metal desks at the venue were causing wireless gaming mice to lose connection, resulting in multiple tech pauses that delayed matches and compromised competitive integrity.
The problem came to a head during a match between FUT Esports and 100 Thieves, when player xeus experienced mouse interference that significantly impacted gameplay. To address the recurring interference issues, Riot Games requested that all competing players switch to wired mice for the remainder of the tournament.
Following the incident, the community initially blamed Secretlab, the tournament’s gaming furniture sponsor, for providing substandard equipment. However, Riot Games released a clarification statement revealing that the problematic desks were actually custom-built by Riot themselves, not supplied by Secretlab. Secretlab subsequently released their own statement distancing themselves from the hardware issues.
The incident highlights the critical importance of thorough equipment testing and preparation for esports tournaments, particularly at the highest competitive level. Even minor technical oversights—such as metal desk interference with wireless peripherals—can have cascading effects on match integrity and player experience during high-stakes events. The quick pivot to wired mice served as an emergency fix, though it raised questions about Riot’s pre-tournament equipment vetting process.