Riot Games Expands Valorant to Consoles with Limited Closed Beta

Riot Games is set to make a significant expansion into the console market with its popular free-to-play competitive hero shooter, Valorant. Console players in several regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and Japan, will have the opportunity to participate in a limited closed beta for Valorant on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

The closed beta for Valorant on consoles will commence on June 14 at 1PM PT/4PM ET. Players outside of the listed territories will have to wait for future expanded betas to access the game on console. During the closed beta, players will be able to link their Riot account to carry over their progress, unlocked agents, battle pass progression, and custom skins.

One notable feature of the closed beta is its cross-play support limited to console players only. PC players will not be able to join console games, as there is no support for cross-play between PC and console. Valorant executive producer Andy Ho and production director Arnar Gylfason emphasized the importance of delivering an uncompromising, competitive experience on consoles, stating that the core gameplay needed to feel natural on a controller.

In addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will enjoy special perks for Valorant. They will gain access to all of Valorant’s agents at no extra cost, including future releases, as well as a 20% match XP booster for battle pass and event content. This exclusive partnership between Xbox and Riot Games provides added value to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers who are fans of Valorant.

As the closed beta begins, Riot Games is eager to see how console players embrace the game and their feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Valorant on consoles. The developers are committed to ensuring a seamless competitive experience, and ultimately, it will be the players who decide if they have accomplished this goal.

Additional facts:
– Valorant is a first-person shooter game developed and published by Riot Games.
– The game was initially released for PC in June 2020 and has gained a significant player base.
– The closed beta for Valorant on consoles is a strategic move by Riot Games to expand its player base and reach a wider audience.
– The game features a unique blend of tactical gameplay and abilities, with each player selecting a specific agent with different abilities and roles.
– Valorant has gained popularity in the esports scene, with professional tournaments and competitions being held regularly.

Key challenges or controversies:
– One key challenge for Riot Games in expanding Valorant to consoles is adapting the gameplay mechanics and controls for a console environment. The developers have emphasized the importance of ensuring a natural and competitive experience on a controller.
– Another challenge is maintaining a fair and balanced matchmaking system between console players. As console players have different hardware capabilities compared to PC players, ensuring a level playing field can be a challenge.

Advantages and disadvantages:
– The expansion of Valorant to consoles allows Riot Games to tap into a new market and potentially attract a larger player base.
– Console players who are fans of competitive shooters will have the opportunity to experience Valorant’s unique gameplay and join the growing community.
– The addition of cross-play support limited to console players can provide a larger pool of players for matchmaking, reducing potential queue times.
– However, the lack of cross-play with PC players means that console players will not be able to compete against or team up with their PC counterparts, potentially limiting the overall player experience.

Suggested related links:
– Valorant Official Website
– Riot Games Official Website
– Xbox News
Note: URLs should be verified for validity before publishing.

The source of the article is from the blog guambia.com.uy