Valorant is finally making its way to Xbox with Game Pass perks and a closed beta starting next week
The free-to-play shooter has been exclusive to PCs since it launched in 2020.
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What you need to know
Riot Games' free-to-play competitive hero shooter,Valorant, has a dedicated community of hardcore players on PC, but it has yet to make the jump to consoles. That changes next week, as console players in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and Japancan sign up on the Valorant websitefor a limited closed beta on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Those players outside the listed territories will need to wait for future expanded betas to gain console access to Valorant.
The limited beta for Valorant on consoles will begin June 14 at 1PM PT/4PM ET.
The launch of Valorant on consoles is a significant expansion into the console market for Riot Games. Players will be able to link their Riot account to access their unlocked Agents, battle pass progression, and custom skins that have been earned or purchased.Xbox and Riot Gameshave previously announced a partnership that includedGame PassPerks to unlock all agents both past and future, along with a 20% match XP booster for battle pass and event content.
Valorant executive producer Andy Ho and production director Arnar Gylfason announced the upcoming console beta on theSummer Game Fest 2024stage. Valorant on consoles will only support cross-play between console (Xbox Series X|SandPlayStation 5) players.PCplayers will not be able to join console games, as there is no support for PC-to-console cross-play.
“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,” said Gylfason. “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.”
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Cole is the resident Call of Duty know-it-all and indie game enthusiast for Windows Central. She’s a lifelong artist with two decades of experience in digital painting, and she will happily talk your ear off about budget pen displays.
