On Friday, influencers and press crowded into an exclusive Discord server to organize groups of ten for custom matches on “Valorant’s” upcoming map, Breeze. Amid hushed conversations about soon-to-be-leaked roster changes and complaints about worsening sleep schedules, there was a general sensation of optimism, one that had been noticeably absent the last time Riot Games released a “Valorant” map. Maybe it was just the sunshine talking.

Breeze, inspired in part by creative director David Notti...