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Exciting News: Valorant Open Beta Launches on Xbox Today!
Valorant, the highly popular tactical shooter developed by Riot Games, has officially entered Open Beta on Xbox today. This marks a significant milestone ahead of its full console launch, which promises some exciting perks for Game Pass members. Having had the opportunity to test the game at Riot’s Los Angeles studio, it’s evident that this is not just a simple port. The development team has painstakingly re-engineered this modern classic for Xbox, ensuring that it retains the essence that has made it a hit on PC.
What is Valorant?
For those who might be unfamiliar, Valorant is a competitive first-person shooter that draws inspiration from iconic games like Counter-Strike. However, unlike Counter-Strike’s military-themed setting, Valorant is set in a futuristic version of Earth. Players select from a diverse roster of Agents, each rooted in a specific culture, location, and visual aesthetic. Beyond their unique weaponry, each Agent is equipped with distinct tactical skills. These abilities can be used for various strategic purposes, such as gathering intelligence, reinforcing positions, scouting enemy locations, breaking through defenses, and dominating territories.
The game offers a seamless blend of dynamic action and tactical depth, driven by fast-paced gunplay and creative use of unique abilities. This combination makes Valorant a highly skill-based yet strategic shooter, which has kept its community vibrant and the game ever-evolving since its PC debut in 2020.
Meticulous Re-engineering for Xbox
Riot Games is leaving no stone unturned in bringing Valorant to Xbox. The primary goal has been to reproduce the finely-tuned balance that has made the PC version so successful. The team has gone through numerous iterations to translate the original mouse-and-keyboard controls to gamepad input. A landmark feature in this regard is the introduction of Focus mode.
On PC, Hip-Fire is the primary shooting mode, with Aim-Down-Sights serving as a secondary, supporting mode. The team experimented with various adaptations and gamepad sensitivities to replicate this on console but found that Hip-Fire didn’t feel the same, and the range of player possibilities was limited. This led to an overall dampened level of player expressiveness.
Enter Focus mode, a new shooting mode that functions similarly to Hip-Fire but with reduced sensitivity. This allows players to shoot from the hip when they need speed in both camera and aim movements, such as peeking around corners or dodging. Focus mode can be utilized for precise, calibrated headshots. Additionally, some Agent abilities have been adapted for the new input controls, and various tunings have been made to capture the dynamic pacing and mechanically expressive feel of the original game.
Cross-Play and Cross-Progression
While Valorant will support cross-play across consoles, it will not feature cross-play between PC and console matches. This decision is primarily to maintain the game’s competitive integrity, given the control changes required for the console version. However, there will be shared cross-progression across PC and console. This means that your inventory, including skins and other unlockables, will carry over between platforms. The Battle Pass will also maintain progress across both versions.
Comprehensive Content Offering
Valorant on Xbox will include all the content that the PC version has accrued since its launch. This means all maps, weapons, modes, and characters will be available. Game Pass members will unlock every Agent released so far, as well as any new additions on day one. The game has received numerous updates and tweaks since its debut, and all of this polish will be available in the day one build on Xbox.
Gameplay Experience on Xbox
Jumping into Valorant on Xbox Series X, the game feels immediately familiar and playable with the Xbox controller. In the game’s standard mode, known as “Unrated,” two teams compete in a points-based 5v5 format, taking turns attacking and defending positions across six maps. Similar to Counter-Strike, players can purchase guns, armor, and abilities at the start of each round, making careful strategy essential for achieving the most effective loadouts.
The game’s vibrant, colorful visuals feel right at home on big living room TV screens, and everything runs at a smooth frame rate. Most importantly, the game feels great with the Xbox controller, from running and gunning to scoring a clutch headshot in Focus mode.
Depth and Strategy
Valorant’s seemingly simple mechanics and structure hide a deeply strategic experience. While it’s easy to pick up for anyone familiar with first-person shooters, there’s a lot to master. Learning all of the 24 current characters’ abilities, the 15 unique maps, and achieving both the muscle memory and strategic insights required to win involves a level of dedication that has contributed to the game’s long-lasting appeal.
Future Prospects
Valorant’s console release underscores Riot’s commitment to the game’s longevity. “We’re getting to the starting line as we like to say,” says executive producer Andy Ho. “This is a game that we don’t have an end date in mind for. We want to invest in it on an infinite horizon, so that players feel like their investment into the game is always going to be worth it.”
Conclusion
Valorant begins its Open Beta on Xbox Series X|S today. Game Pass members will unlock all Agents in both the Open Beta and the full launch version. This move to console is a significant step in expanding the game’s reach and ensuring that more players can experience the tactical depth and dynamic action that Valorant offers. Whether you’re a seasoned PC player or new to the game, the Xbox version promises to deliver a compelling and engaging experience.
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For more information and updates, you can visit the official Xbox News site. Stay tuned for more reviews and reactions as we continue to explore this exciting new chapter for Valorant.
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