Valorant console version has been officially announced. After more than two years of preparation (since its first leak), Riot Games has finally brought this flagship title to console platforms, launching on PlayStation and Xbox for all players. This was hardly a surprising outcome, given that Valorant has already secured a substantial and stable market on the PC platform, becoming one of the most popular competitive shooter games in recent years. Meanwhile, the console market holds a huge share among gamers, making it wise to expand market share by adding a Valorant console version. However, in this announcement, Riot Games only revealed the Beta testing timeline without disclosing the official release date, sparking much curiosity among players. So, when do you think Valorant will officially release? Or rather, when would be the best time for its official release? Let’s dive into this analysis.
When Will Valorant Console Version Officially Release
The first time Valorant was leaked to have a console version was around April 2022. So far, it has been over two years, and Valorant itself has been out for four years. Referring to the industry standard for platform porting (i.e., moving a game from one platform to another), most take about 1-2 years. Examples include notable PlayStation titles like “God of War” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” which took around this long from their first leak to official PC release. While it’s true that developers might have been working on the port before the leak, given the current level of information security, the difference in time wouldn’t be too significant. Moreover, who’s to say Riot Games didn’t start preparing for the port in advance?
Now, let’s consider the Beta testing period. Generally speaking, Beta testing signifies a high level of game completion, especially for a game like Valorant, which has been out for four years. The primary aim of this Beta test is to check the compatibility with console platforms rather than to develop an entirely new game. Therefore, the adjustments needed post-beta should not be very extensive. Additionally, unlike porting a console game to PC, porting a PC game to a console is less complex due to the uniformity of console hardware, which simplifies compatibility testing.
Given this information, it can be inferred that the Valorant console version will likely launch within 1-2 months.
When is the Best Time to Release Valorant Console Version
Based on the above analysis, I believe the next 1-2 months is also the best time to release the Valorant console version. This is because the period from July to September is typically a lull for game releases. Most games, especially those from major developers, are released closer to the year-end holidays to maximize sales. By releasing during this quieter period, Riot Games can attract more attention at a lower cost and quickly capture the market.
You might wonder, given Valorant’s fame, is it necessary to avoid peak release periods to capture the market? I think it is. While Riot Games commands significant dominance on the PC platform, they have barely ventured into the console domain. Although each platform has avid gamers, you must acknowledge the differences in player demographics across platforms. More importantly, October will see the release of the blockbuster console title Call of Duty, which will undoubtedly create direct competition. Therefore, if I were Riot Games, I would release Valorant beforehand to avoid being overly passive, even though Call of Duty will still draw a large player base.
If the game does release around this time, according to console platform conventions, you should be able to download Valorant about a week in advance, allowing you to prepare. After all, many players often encounter issues while downloading games on consoles.
What to Prepare for the Valorant Console Version
First and foremost, you’ll need a console, either a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X|S, as the game won’t be available on PS4. You also need to ensure your console has enough storage space. Based on the PC version, you should reserve about 30GB of space to ensure smooth gameplay.
Of course, you’ll also need a good display device, preferably one that supports a high refresh rate. Players of competitive shooter games know the importance of frame rates. If your monitor or TV doesn’t have a high enough refresh rate, it could affect your in-game performance.
Lastly, a good internet connection is crucial. Millisecond-level latency can greatly impact gameplay. There are already very mature and user-friendly gaming VPN tools available, so choose one that suits your needs.
I believe many players are looking forward to the Valorant console version, and so am I. While I’ve made the above predictions, I also hope Riot Games can bring an optimized Valorant experience to console platforms, allowing every player to enjoy the game.
