Hold onto your Radianite, agents, because the shopping spree of the year is making one last grand entrance! Back in 2022, the official Valorant Twitter dropped the bombshell that the beloved, luck-based Night Market would swing its doors open for a final encore starting December 7th. This wasn't just a weekend sale; players had a generous window stretching into early January 2023—over 20 days to agonize over which discounted gun skins to bring home. Think of it as the game's way of handing out personalized, heavily discounted gift boxes. The catch? The contents were totally random. Whether you scored that dream Phantom skin or got stuck with sidearm offers you'd never touch... well, that was all in the hands of the RNG gods.
The Skin Game: Bundles and Bargains
While everyone was saving their Valorant Points (VP) for the Night Market's surprises, the regular store wasn't sleeping either. It had just been stocked with the sleek, deep-sea inspired Abyssal bundle. Priced at 5,100 VP, this pack was a solid mid-tier option, decking out the Sheriff, Spectre, Guardian, and Phantom. The cherry on top? A matching knife skin thrown in for free. Now, these skins were the strong, silent type—no flashy kill animations or over-the-top sound effects. But hey, that's precisely why they didn't drain your virtual wallet like some of their fancier cousins. It was a straightforward deal: cool looks without the premium price tag, perfect for agents who prefer their style understated but deadly.
More Than Just a Sale: The December Overhaul
Riot Games had way more up its sleeve for December 2022 than just a holiday sale. The community was buzzing because Patch 5.12 was confirmed to be dropping that same month, packed with what insiders called "beefy" changes. The biggest headline? A long-awaited reckoning for Chamber. Let's be real, at that time, the sentinel with his personal teleport and overpowered sniper rifle was basically the bogeyman of every ranked match. The entire player base was on the edge of their seats, waiting for Riot to fully reveal how they planned to clip his wings and bring him back in line with the other Agents. It was the balance change everyone was talking about.
And the shake-ups didn't stop with Agents. The Competitive map pool was also on the chopping block for a rotation. Ever since Split got vaulted, players had been passionately debating which map should be next. Some were fervently praying for Split's glorious return, hoping maps like Breeze or Ice Box would take a temporary hike. The map meta was in flux, and the community's wishlist was loud and clear. While whispers and leaks hinted at a brand-new map waiting in the wings, it was clear we wouldn't see it that year—Pearl had just arrived, and the developers needed time to cook.
The Perks Keep Coming
As if free agents and map changes weren't enough, there was another massive quality-of-life update on the horizon. The partnership with PC Game Pass was about to go live. This was a game-changer (pun intended) for new players or alt-account enjoyers. Subscribers would get instant access to all Valorant Agents right off the bat, no grinding required. Plus, a sweet XP boost to accelerate their battle pass and contract progress. Talk about a welcome package!
Looking back from 2026, that December in 2022 was a wild time for Valorant. It was a perfect storm: one last chance at discounted loot, major gameplay balances looming, and a subscription service that lowered the barrier to entry. The game felt like it was constantly evolving, never letting the meta get too stale. The Night Market's final run was more than a sale; it was a farewell party to one year and a hype-building event for the next chapter of tactical mayhem. Sometimes, you just gotta appreciate when a game throws everything at the wall to keep things fresh, you know?