Game guide
VALORANT
VALORANT is Riot Games' free tactical 5v5 character-based first-person shooter. Two teams of five 'Agents' with unique abilities attack and defend sites in a buy-based, round-by-round format similar to Counter-Strike.
- Developer
- Riot Games
- Publisher
- Riot Games
- Released
- June 2, 2020 (PC); 2024 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
- Platforms
- PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Price
- Free-to-play
Guides & data
Everything people search about Valorant — each answer verified against primary sources.
Valorant — frequently asked
Is VALORANT free?
Yes. VALORANT is free to download and play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. You only pay for optional cosmetics.
Is VALORANT pay-to-win?
No. Everything purchasable is cosmetic - skins, sprays, cards, and buddies. They change how weapons look and sound but never how they perform.
Does my PC account work on console?
Yes, via cross-progression. Link the same Riot account and your skins, Agents, and Battle Pass carry over - but your competitive rank does not transfer between PC and console.
When did VALORANT come to consoles?
The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions launched in 2024 after a limited beta. The PC version originally released on June 2, 2020.
Do I have to pay to unlock Agents?
No. Agents can be earned for free by playing. You can optionally spend to unlock one faster, but that is convenience, not power.
Why does VALORANT need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
Its Vanguard anti-cheat requires them on Windows 11 to help prevent cheating. VALORANT also does not run on virtual machines or cloud gaming.
Sources
- Riot Games Support - VALORANT Minimum/Recommended PC Specs
- PlayVALORANT - Specs
- Dot Esports - How big is VALORANT / file size
- Variety - VALORANT console launch (2024)
- Eneba - Is VALORANT crossplay?
- Last verified: July 12, 2026. Sizes and specs can change with patches — tell us if something is out of date.