Is VALORANT coming to consoles?

Written By Onur Demirkol Writer
Last UpdatedMay 31, 2023 at 02:00PM
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VALORANT is a popular 5v5 character-based tactical shooter developed by Riot Games. The game features a diverse cast of agents with unique abilities and a variety of weapons and maps. VALORANT has been praised for its precise gunplay, strategic gameplay, and competitive esports scene. But since the game is only presently offered for Windows PCs, many fans have been asking when it will be released on consoles. Is VALORANT coming to consoles such as Xbox? Today, we will answer all of your questions!

Since its June 2020 PC release, VALORANT has drawn millions of players and viewers from all over the world. The game has also made a name for itself as a top-tier competitive shooter, with leagues and tournaments that attract some of the best teams and players in the industry. Many console players are still waiting, though, for the opportunity to play VALORANT on their preferred system. Let’s see if the console edition of VALORANT is really a thing!

Would it be hard to get headshots on the VALORANT console edition? Credit: Riot Games
Would it be hard to get headshots on the VALORANT console edition? Credit: Riot Games

Is VALORANT coming to console: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

VALORANT has yet to be officially confirmed or given a console release date. Fans of consoles can still have some hope, though, as Riot Games has expressed interest in and a willingness to investigate this idea. Additionally, they have engaged some devs with previous experience creating console games, which may be a sign that they are serious about this undertaking.

There have been numerous leaks and analyst forecasts on Riot Games' attempts to make the game available to console users, but we might have to wait for a while. This does not mean that the project is canceled. Moreover, it is known that Riot Games developers are working on the VALORANT console version.

Players of consoles shouldn't give up all hope. Riot has already shown a willingness to branch out into different genres and platforms. Considering the job openings that were revealed a while ago, VALORANT console is definitely under construction. While you are reading this article, engineers are discussing the ways to make it possible!

Is there a console version of VALORANT?

Console versions of VALORANT are not currently available, but they might be in the future. Riot Games is working on a console port prototype, but there are some challenges and limitations that need to be overcome. Additionally, they want to guarantee that, without sacrificing either performance or quality, VALORANT's core gameplay and experience remain untouched on consoles. As a result, console gamers will have to be patient while Riot Games releases additional information and updates about VALORANT on consoles.

VALORANT was initially created by Riot Games exclusively for the PC, with the goal of providing the best experience possible. However, Riot Games has indicated a desire to make the game accessible on additional platforms, such as consoles. Riot Games wants VALORANT to stand for a certain type of gameplay and experience, and they don't want to compromise on that vision.

Why isn't VALORANT coming to consoles: The challenges

The difference in input techniques is one of the biggest obstacles that Riot Games must overcome in order to bring VALORANT to consoles. For precise aiming, swift movements, and complicated key binds, VALORANT is built for mouse and keyboard controls. On the other hand, console controllers may not be able to imitate the same degree of accuracy and responsiveness that PC users are used to because they have fewer buttons and employ the use of analog sticks and triggers. Furthermore, depending on how Riot Games balances the game for various platforms, console players may unfairly gain or lose out from PC players if cross-play is enabled.

On the negative side, VALORANT's primary identity and ambition as a PC-centric shooter may be jeopardized by a console release. Additionally, it might lead to more balancing, compatibility, and optimization problems, which might harm the game's reputation and quality.

VALORANT console edition benefits

On the positive side, a console release of VALORANT would broaden its appeal to millions of console players who are eager to check out an innovative tactical shooter. Additionally, it might increase the availability of cross-platform gaming and esports competitions, which might encourage a more inclusive and diverse community.

The VALORANT console edition would be very beneficial for the game’s future and current performance. Here are a couple of benefits of a possible VALORANT console edition:

Expanding the player base

Riot Games wants to provide as many people with enjoyable experiences as possible. They would significantly broaden the game's audience and draw in a new group of gamers that favor playing on consoles as opposed to PCs by making VALORANT available on those platforms.

Console success of other similar games

The popularity of console-based first-person shooter games like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Apex Legends shows the potential market for competitive console shooters. On console systems, VALORANT might find a willing audience thanks to its distinctive combination of tactical gameplay and character powers.

Enhanced hardware capabilities

The Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 both have amazing hardware capabilities that are on pace with or even better than some gaming PCs. VALORANT is not the "heaviest" game but still, a better hardware configuration would be beneficial.

The VALORANT console edition wouldn't face any hardware issues as all consoles are equipped with high-tech hardware. Credit: Riot Games
The VALORANT console edition wouldn't face any hardware issues as all consoles are equipped with high-tech hardware. Credit: Riot Games

If VALORANT releases on consoles, will it be free-to-play?

If VALORANT were to be released on consoles, it would probably follow the same business model that it does on PC, which is free-to-play. Most fans would be shocked if Riot Games asked for money to get VALORANT.

All of the Riot Games titles are free-to-play, and the company makes money off of different branches within the game, for example, cosmetics. This way, the company gets to reach a bigger audience and make the game popular all over the world.

Will console players be able to play with PC players?

To improve their gaming experience, console users may get access to exclusive features or content. However, we don’t know if that includes a cross-platform VALORANT experience.

Most games support the cross-platform model, and currently, all of the VALORANT gamers are enjoying the game on their PCs.There would probably be very few players at the beginning, so Riot might think about allowing cross-platform.

Here are more VALORANT guides for you to check out:

Onur Demirkol here, Content Writer for THESPIKEGG. You will see his name on a bunch of different articles here, whether they are breaking news or evergreen guides and content.

His journey in the industry has been marked by influential roles at esteemed platforms such as Flank Esports and 5Mid, where he served as editor-in-chief. Onur made significant contributions to their success in written content and social media, including a notable impact on an issue of the Turkish Esports Federation magazine. Currently, he serves as the Lead Editor for Gamelevate, taking pride in managing a global team of 12 talented writers. Additionally, Onur regularly contributes to Softonic, gHacks, Dataconomy, and Techbriefly. He has written thousands of articles, and that number continues to go up.

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