After years of being a PC-exclusive powerhouse, Valorant, Riot Games’ acclaimed 5v5 tactical shooter, has officially made its highly anticipated debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This full launch marks a significant expansion for the franchise, opening its doors to a vast new audience of console players.
From Beta to Full Launch: The Console Journey
The journey to console began with a strategic and carefully managed beta phase. Riot Games initiated a limited beta for Valorant on consoles on June 14, 2024, inviting select players in key regions including the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil.
This crucial testing period allowed Riot to gather invaluable feedback and meticulously fine-tune the game for the console experience. The beta quickly evolved, incorporating open-bracket tournaments and community events to rigorously test competitive play and matchmaking specifically tailored for controllers.
As of August 2024, the beta phase has concluded, and Valorant is now widely available to console players in the supported regions. This official full launch signifies a major milestone for Riot Games, demonstrating their commitment to bringing their flagship title to a broader gaming community.
Tailored for Console: Key Features and Design
One of the most important aspects of Valorant’s console adaptation is Riot’s dedication to a custom-built gameplay experience. This isn’t a mere port; instead, Riot has meticulously rebuilt gameplay elements to ensure that the tactical shooter feels intuitive and natural on controllers. A notable innovation is the introduction of the new “Focus” shooting mode, designed to bridge the gap between mouse/keyboard precision and gamepad play.
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Maintaining Competitive Integrity: Crossplay and Progression
To maintain the integrity of competitive play, Riot Games has confirmed that there will be no crossplay between console and PC players. This ensures a level playing field for all participants. However, crossplay is enabled between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S users, allowing console players to team up across their respective platforms.
Furthermore, players will benefit from cross-progression, meaning their hard-earned inventory and Battle Pass progress will seamlessly carry over between PC and console, allowing them to enjoy their skins and unlocks regardless of their chosen platform.
Regional Rollout and Future Plans
At launch, Valorant on console is accessible in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. Riot Games has expressed plans for further global expansion as they continue to monitor server health and matchmaking quality in these initial regions.
Looking ahead, Riot Games has pledged ongoing updates and feature parity with the PC version of Valorant. Console players can anticipate the regular introduction of new agents, maps, and seasonal content, ensuring a consistently evolving and engaging experience. Additionally, a replay system, a highly requested feature, is slated to arrive on PC in September 2025, with console support planned for later in the year, promising to enhance both competitive analysis and casual enjoyment.
Why This Launch Matters
The arrival of Valorant on consoles is a pivotal moment, poised to usher in a new wave of players and competitive opportunities for the tactical shooter. This strategic move underscores Riot’s dedication to making Valorant accessible to a wider audience while upholding the high standards of gameplay and competitive integrity that have defined its success on PC.
Written by:
Christian