Key Takeaways
- Valorant is moving to Unreal Engine 5 for new features and teasing new playable experiences that will expand the universe.
- The switch won't immediately change gameplay, but Riot Games says it's necessary for the game to grow.
- The developer suggested that it may host an event detailing future Valorant content at a later date.
Riot Games confirmed that Valorant will be moving to Unreal Engine 5, and the development team is working on "new playable experiences" that will expand its universe. The switch to Unreal Engine 5 will allow Valorant to use new features that weren't supported in the engine's previous iteration, Unreal Engine 4.
Earlier this summer, Valorant finally made its debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, introducing console players to the popular tactical hero shooter. With over 35 million monthly players, it's clear that gamers on consoles and PC keep coming back to Valorant to see what's new and enjoy its precise and satisfying gunplay. Valorant fans still want more new features, including Battle Replay, to be implemented, and Riot Games switching the game's engine from Unreal Engine 4 version 4.27 to Unreal Engine 5 could be the opportunity fans have been waiting for. Unreal Engine 5 includes several features that weren't supported in Unreal Engine 4, such as the Lumen enhanced global illumination system, Nanite and virtual shadow maps, and temporal super resolution.
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During the Unreal Fest Seattle 2024 event, Riot Games executive producer Anna Donlon revealed that Valorant is making the move to Unreal Engine 5, as the team "have squeezed every ounce of everything we could out of Unreal Engine 4." Although the switch to the newer engine will not be easy, Donlon notes that it's necessary, and the upgrade will not significantly change how Valorant is played right away. The developers are very excited about what they can do with Unreal Engine 5 in the future, and Donlon notes that they're thinking about ways to expand the Valorant universe with new playable experiences. The executive producer can't share any specific details about what these playable experiences are just yet, however.
Valorant Will Move to Unreal Engine 5 and Bring New Playable Experiences
- Executive producer Anna Donlon says Valorant got everything it could out of Unreal Engine 4.
- The switch to Unreal Engine 5 will not change how Valorant is played right away.
- The developers are thinking of ways to expand Valorant with "new playable experiences."
- A future presentation by Riot Games may reveal more details about what's to come for Valorant.
Near the end of the Riot Games segment, Donlon teased that the Valorant development team may be up on stage with her in the future for a "very different sort of presentation," implying that the hero shooter will get a dedicated event to detail the new experiences to come. It's unclear when the switch to Unreal Engine 5 will be apparent for players, but Riot Games will likely share details on when an update is expected at a later date.
Valorant continues to be one of the best free-to-play PC games, and the Unreal Engine 5 upgrade could make the game even better with new features and modes. Players may look at Fortnite as an example, as its own Unreal Engine 5 upgrade in 2022 brought graphical enhancements, ray tracing, and much more on supported platforms like PC and PlayStation 5.
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Valorant
VALORANT is a character-based 5v5 tactical shooter set on the global stage. Outwit, outplay, and outshine your competition with tactical abilities, precise gunplay, and adaptive teamwork.
DEFY THE LIMITS
Blend your style and experience on a global, competitive stage. You have 13 rounds to attack and defend your side using sharp gunplay and tactical abilities. And, with one life per-round, you'll need to think faster than your opponent if you want to survive. Take on foes across Competitive and Unranked modes as well as Deathmatch and Spike Rush.
CREATIVITY IS YOUR GREATEST WEAPON
More than guns and bullets, you’ll choose an Agent armed with adaptive, swift, and lethal abilities that create opportunities to let your gunplay shine. No two Agents play alike, just as no two highlight reels will look the same.
FIGHT AROUND THE WORLD
Each map is a playground to showcase your creative thinking. Purpose-built for team strategies, spectacular plays, and clutch moments. Make the play others will imitate for years to come.
Shooter
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:81/100 Critics Recommend:86%
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- June 2, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Riot Games
- Publisher(s)
- Riot Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Violence
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Cross Save
- Yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- PS5 & Xbox Series X/S
- Video Games
- Valorant
- Riot Games
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