After years of rumors and speculation, Valorant is finally coming to console. Riot Games announced that its free-to-play hero shooter will be releasing on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S during Summer Game Fest, with a limited beta set to begin next week. According to a press release sent after the announcement, Valorant's PS5 and Xbox versions will feature "custom-built gameplay" designed to meet the needs of its core, competitive gameplay.
With that in mind, Valorant will not feature cross-play between PC and console. Instead, Valorant will offer a "connected, shared inventory" and cross-progression between accounts. Riot also promises simultaneous platform releases for all live patch balances, new agents, maps, premium content, and other features.
"When exploring whether to bring Valorant to additional platforms, we knew we had to be able to offer the same uncompromising, competitive experience that we’ve provided to PC players for years: a precise, team-based, tactical shooter," production director Arnar Gylfason said in the release. "We were adamant that Valorant’s core, competitive gameplay must feel natural on a controller; and — if we couldn’t deliver on that gameplay promise — we had to be prepared to walk away from it. We hope we nailed it, but ultimately, our players will have the final say.
" Gylfason elaborated a bit more on how console players can expect from the PC version, " In order to provide the same experience as PC, where hip-fire is the primary shooting.
