There’s an issue with Valorant when it c??omes to Windows 11 that may require you to enable Secure Boot on your end.

Playing Valorant on PC can have all sorts of issues ranging from anti-cheat, updates, and other technical problems. If you’re getting issues after installing Windows 11 or you’re on ?fresh hardware, you?? may need to try this.

How to check for Secure Boot on Valorant on PC

To see if you’re able to enable Secure Boot, you must first check if your computer supports it or if it has been turn??ed on. Fo??llow the instructions below:

• Press the Windows Key and X at the same time.

  • You can also press the Windows button at the bottom of your screen.

• Type “msinfo32â€?without the quotes and hit enter. 
• The System Information menu will come up.
• Under the System Summary tab, look for BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State.
• BIOS Mode should be set to UEFI and Secure Boot State should be set to On.

What is m??ore important is the Secure Boot State option. If it isn’t on, or you can’t set this option on, you may need to upgrade or downgrade your OS (Operating System).?? If on Windows 10, try going to 11. If on 11, go back to 10. 

It’s a hassle, but this is one of the more consistent workarounds to get the Secure Boot State work?ing.

How to enable Secure Boot on PC for Valorant

To enable Secure Boot, turn off or reset your PC. If you turned off your PC, boot it up again and then follow ??these instructions: 

• When restarting or turning your computer on, press the corresponding key that will bring up the BIOS.
• More often than not, it’ll either be F2 or F11. 
• In the BIOS settings, look for Secure Boot and set it on. 

If your keys, layout, or process are different, it’ll depend? on your motherboard manufacturer. That will require an additional search to look up the menu layout and navigation for your specific part.

The post How to enable Secure Boot in Valorant appeared first on Destructoid.

For whatever reason, if you want to uninstall Valorant from your PC, it’s a bit of a process. Here, we’ll walk you throu??gh how to?? delete Riot’s hero shooter from your computer for good.

How to uninstall Valorant from your PC

To uninstall Valorant from your PC, you must first ensure your Riot Client and Vanguard tray notification programs are closed. They may be running in the background when booting up your PC since they default to bei?ng a start??up app.

Once that is all done, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows Key and i.
• Click on Apps.
• Find “Riot Vanguardâ€?and uninstall it.
• Select “Uninstallâ€?again when told that the app and related info will also be uninstalled.

You will see a message that tells you that the p??rocess will uninstall “Riot Vanguard,�and any programs, depending on its functionality, will stop working. 

• Select yes.
• Next, while still in your Apps & features window, look for Valorant. 
• Hit “Uninstallâ€?and wait for the program to finish uninstalling.

Everything Valorant-related should be deleted from your main files, but some will remain in your AppData or ProgramData folders rooted in your PC. 

Depending on whether you originally installed Valorant to be accessible to all users on your PC, there will be multiple “Riot Gamesâ€?folders in areas of the drive on wh?ich your game is downloaded. 

In any case, open up your File Explorer and find the drive on which you installed VALORANT. If you find a folder with “Riot Games�on it, ?it’s now safe to delete, as y?ou have uninstalled the base components of the launcher and the game.

To m??ake sure, you can also just enter “Riot Games�on the search bar on your window to find any folders with the name. At most, there should only be two folders in this instance unless you have multiple users on your PC.

Once that is all set and done, Valorant and all other components that ?come with it should be gone from your PC.

The post How to uninstall Valorant from PC appeared first on Destructoid.

Through Valorant Night Market, you can get certain cosmetics or even melee weapons for a discounted price. We have the dates for Episode 9 Act 2, and here's everything you need to know.

Night Market arrives towards the end of every Valorant Act and is the ideal time to get your favorite skins. Although luck plays a major role in what skins you actually get as the drops are Random Number Generator-based (RNG), which means it's totall??y random.

Next Valorant Night Market date and schedule

The next Valorant Night Market (for Episode 9 Act 2) will commence on September 26 and ends on October 22, 2024. The current Act will also end on the same day.

Historically, they have gone live at 8 PM ET / 2 AM CET / 1 AM BST / 5:30 AM IST, and you can expect it to be the same this time around. This gives you 26 days in total to get your desire?d skins at a discoun??ted price, lasting 13 days more than E9A1's Night Market.

How many skins do you get and can you reroll them?

You get six skins for different weapons in total, and the discounts range from 10% to 49%. As we mentioned e?arlier, the occurrences are ?completely random.

You also can't reroll these skins and will remain the same as long as the Market is live for this Act. So, in case you didn't get your desire??d cosmet??ics this time, unfortunately, you'll need to wait for the next one to arrive with the hope of better skins.

When was the first Night Market in Valorant?

The first Night Market took place ?when Episode 1 Act 3 went live, back in December 2020. The one we are getting in Episode 9 Act 2 will be the 24th iteration of the Night Market in the game.

Now that you know about the next Night Market date, take a look at all th?e maps you can play in the current competitive rotation.

The post When is the next Valorant Night Market? appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant 9.05 patch is here and the new update has buffed a couple of Agents and weapons. It also includes some map updates for consoles and her?e's a complete rundown of the patch notes.

Update 9.05 has buffed Astra after a long time and Chamber has his Rendezvous radius increased. Ares has also been buffed where it performs better while? crouched. Omen has some new voice lines for Viper, Clove, Iso, and Vyse.

What’s new in Valorant patch 9.05?

Astra's Star count incre??ases from 4 to 5, giving her the power back to maneuver between Smokes, Gravity Well, and Nova Pulse? just the way it was before patch 7.04.

Chamber's Rendezvous gets ?a buff too where the teleport radius has been increased from 13 to 18 meters. This will give the Sentinel more freedom when it comes to escaping gunfights or simply teleporting to another part of the map effectively.

Ares' nerf gets revered and it's as effective a?s the Odin while crouched. Its headshot multiplier has been adjusted from 2.4 to 2.5 which means you can kill an e?nemy with two shots on their heads if they are within 30 meters. Regarding map updates, Breeze enters Unrated and Swift Play queues on consoles.

Below you can find the full Valorant update 9.05 patch notes.

Full Valorant 9.05 patch notes

ALL PLATFORMS

AGENT UPDATES

Omen

• We’ve updated Omen’s voice lines and added interaction lines with Viper, Clove, Iso, and Vyse.

Chamber

• Rendezvous: TP radius increased from 13m >>> 18m

  • Chamber could use a light nudge to fight for more space on maps safely around his Rendezvous. More space around his Rendezvous beacon allows for more setups and allows Chamber to push out more aggressively and take unexpected angles.

Astra

• Stars: Increased from 4 >>> 5

  • After rebalancing some of Astra's power away from her Gravity Well and into her Nova Pulse and Cosmic Divide in Patch 7.04, Astra has struggled to be competitive with other Controllers. Given Astra has to choose between fulfilling her core duties as a Controller and using her other abilities, this change gives Astra more freedom to use her other pieces of utility without sacrificing her ability to smoke throughout the round.

Stim Behavior

• Over the years we've heard player feedback that combat stim effects like Reyna's Empress can feel disruptive when spraying and it makes it harder to hit your shots. We've updated all buffs that increase your rate of fire to have consistent recoil control that matches the default rate of fire. This should allow players who are stimmed to utilize their learned muscle memory that they’ve built up from un-stimmed weaponry. This change only affects how the stims modify recoil without affecting the applied spread reduction.

PLAYER BEHAVIOR UPDATES

• We have updated the existing ranked and Premier restrictions to expand to all team-based modes so that penalized players will be restricted from queueing up in any team-based mode for disruptive behavior.

WEAPONS UPDATES

Ares

• Revert crouch benefits nerf from standard 25% back to 40%

  • Crouching is better again and is now the same as Odin.

• Headshot multiplier adjusted from 2.4 >>> 2.5

  • This makes an Ares kill in 2 headshots while within 30m when previously it would have done 144 damage.

These changes aim to make headshot damage more consistent with competitors and to encourage its capability at holding down a location against multiple enemi??es.

BUG FIXES

Client

• Fixed an issue where some letters with special characters in Polish, Russian, and Japanese were not returning the correct result when searching using the Search bar in the Spray screen collection page.

Maps

• Abyss

  • Fixed a spot where you could land on a ledge that is out of bounds on the map.

• Lotus

  • Minor art fixes around the map.

• Icebox

  • Fixed a gap where you could shoot through the door frame in A Pipes from Mid Boiler.

• Sunset

  • Fixed a gap in the retractable roof above B Boba.
  • Fixed the box at Mid Top to display the correct bullet penetration decals.

• The Range

  • Removed a placeholder object in the vista.

PC

PERFORMANCE UPDATES

• Optimized threading logic and ordering of files on disk to improve load times. Please note that this will increase download time of the patch and an increase in patch time.

PLAYER BEHAVIOR UPDATES

• We've updated the Riot Voice Evaluation (RVE) experience in certain regions where voice recording is now enabled to ensure you understand the behavioral expectations and technical implications associated with RVE and voice chat.

PREMIER UPDATES

• Added a button to view the maps available in Playoffs. To see the Playoff map pool, click Playoffs Event in the schedule on the Premier hub, and then click the “Show Map Poolâ€?button in the center of the hub.

Console

CLIENT UPDATES

• Progression Screen

  • The objectives panel on the progression screen will now feature Agent gear if there are open slots. Previously, only Basic Training, Battlepass, and Event Pass were featured and left an open slot if completed.

GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS UPDATES

• Added a new Map Cursor Speed slider which will let you speed up or slow down cursor movement on the megamap and maps for Agent abilities (Example: Brimstone’s Sky Smoke).

MAPS UPDATES

• New map: “Breezeâ€?enters Unrated & Swift Play queues.

BUG FIXES

General

• Fixed an issue where the Base Aim Curve setting was being applied to cursor movement on the megamap and maps for Agent abilities (Example: Brimstone’s Sky Smoke).

Agents

• Ability Targeting

  • Fixed an issue where Deadlock’s Sonic Sensor, Cypher’s Spycam, and Vyse’s Arc Rose could not be placed on some map walls during the BUY PHASE.

• Vyse

  • Fixed an issue where KAY/O’S ZERO/POINT was destroyed by Shear.
  • Fixed an issue where Shear’s collision would linger after being placed on sloped surfaces.
  • Fixed an issue where Shear could extend over gaps improperly.
  • Fixed instances where Shear’s destruction voice line was not properly playing.
  • Fixed instances of Arc Rose voice line being cut off prematurely.
  • Fixed an issue where the combat report would show the incorrect abilities for Vyse.
  • [PS5] Fixed rare client crash instances related to Steel Garden.

• Omen

  • Fixed an issue where From the Shadows was not cancellable with certain bindings.
  • Fixed an issue where Dark Cover would move slower than intended.

• KAY/O

  • Fixed an issue where Kayo’s Ability HUD was ordered incorrectly.

The post Valorant 9.05 patch notes: Astra & Chamber?? buff, Ares buff, map updat??es, more appeared first on Destructoid.

A new Valorant mobile leak has surfaced online and?? shows certain features that are yet to arrive on the PC ve?rsion of the game.

This new leak shows some advanced training modes that include jump peeking and jiggle peeking. Jiggle and jump peeking are some gameplay mechanics that PC and console players implement during matches?? to gather info on opponent positions.

These types of peekings expose a little part of the Agent's character model for a brief period. Unlike dry peeking (that exposes the entire character model), jiggle and jump peeking reduce the chances of get?ting shot by an enemy, as? the movement pattern is unexpected and random.

PC players have learned this by trial-and-error, mostly from pros whil?e watching a professional match or livestreams of their favorite players. Allowing mobile players to learn this from a training mode will only jump-start their performance during matches when it finally launches at a later dat?e.

Riot bringing these features to this version of Valorant only signifies how serious they are with the mobile port. At the time of writing, it's unclear when and if the devs ever decide to bring these features to Valorant PC or consoles.

However, if they do end up bringing them to current platforms (like they did ??with the revamped training range that first arrived on consoles and later on PC), it will benefit new players as they'll be ready with some of the most important movement mechanics that you need to use during matches.

The most requested feature from Valorant mobile is the replay system. It's already present in other shooters, Rainbow Six Siege be?ing a prime example, it would undoubtedly help the majority of the player base to analyze and improve their gameplay.

The post New Valorant mobile leak shows features that are yet to a??rrive on PC appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant is a competitive online tactical hero shooter, and as such, I never expected it to have seasons in the same way as a game like Rainbow Six Siege does. However, the? game does have a similar system in its Episodes and Acts that help ease players into new content without feeling overwhelmed.

An Episode in Valorant usually lasts around six months in total, with three Acts per Episode, each lasting roughly two months, allowing players the time required to get excited for new content, enjoy it, play far too much of it, and repeat the cycle. Seasonal content models can feel awkward, especially if missions are time-gated, as they were in Destiny 2. If you're new to the game or have been playing for a while, it can be? difficult to keep track of where all the new content came from and when.

All Valorant season start and end dates, plus their lengths

In the table below, I've listed every season in Valorant, the Episodes and Acts, and their start and end dates. I've also included the number of days they were live for just in case you're trying to work o?ut when a new Episode or Act will drop based on past data.

At the time of writing, Valorant is in? Episode 9, Act 1. Act 2 will follow this, but we'll need to wait for confirmation from Riot Games to know? exactly when it's meant to start.

The post All Valorant season?? start and e??nd dates, plus their lengths appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 releases in August 2024 with a new Agent, a premium skin line, and not to forget, a brand-new Battle Pass with unique rewards and sk??ins.

The battle pass is something that most Valorant players look forwar?d to as it doesn't cost as much as the premium skin lines yet you get several weapon skins. Most impo??rtantly, you get Radianite Points from it which are used to unlock different skin levels and variants, making it a complete value-for-money package. Episode 9 Act 2's iteration is no different.

When does Episode 9 Act 2 Battle Pass release?

Episode 9 Act 2 Battle Pass will be released on August 28, 2024.

Episode 9 Act 2 Battle Pass price and content

Like all times, the Episode 9 Act 2 Battle Pass will also cost 1,000 VP or roughly $10. E9A2's Battle Pass provides you with Overlay, Frequency, and Yoonseul skin lines for the following weapons:

• Overlay

  • Melee (Dagger)
  • Outlaw
  • Phantom
  • Sheriff
  • Stinger

• Frequency

  • Bucky
  • Bulldog
  • Ghost
  • Operator

• Yoonseul

  • Ares
  • Classic
  • Guardian
  • Spectre

Apart from that, you also get cert??ain gun buddies, spr??ays, and player cards throughout different tiers of the battle pass. While most guns have made the cut, skins for weapons such as the Marshal and Vandal are missing.

Episode 9 Act 2 Battle Pass free and paid track highlights

It includes both paid ??and free tracks. So if you don't want to purchase it, you still get some f?ree rewards just by playing the game.

If you've made up your mind to get the battle pass and still want to splurge extra, why not check the upcoming Nocturnum skin bundle out? Halloween is coming soon and this one would be a perfect co?llection ?for that event.

The post All Valor??ant Episode 9 ??Act 2 Battle Pass skins & rewards appeared first on Destructoid.

A brand-new premium Nocturnum skin line is in store for Valorant Episode 9 Act 2. You might be wondering when it wil?l be released, how much it will cost, and what weapons the bundle will include, so here's ever?ything for you to know.

According to the devs, the upcoming Nocturnum skin line is "ins?pired by an ancient forbidden ritual," as they wanted to strike "a balance of terror and beauty."

This new skin bundle is a part of Episode 9 Act 2's new content along with Vyse (Agent 26) and a fresh Battle Pass.

Valorant Nocturnum skinline release date

The Nocturnum skinline will be released on August 29, 2024. This means the bundle will arrive in-game a day after E9A2 starts, per Riot Games' plan??ned rollout.

Nocturnum skinline: All weapons and price

The Nocturnum skinline will cost 8,700 VP and includes the following weapons:

• Bulldog
• Classic
• Marshal
• Phantom
• Melee (Scythe and Dagger)

The melee switches between a Scythe a??nd Dagger and looks like a blade Grim Reaper would love to use. The bu??ndle also includes a Buddy, Player Card, and Spray as accessories.

Nocturnum skinline weapon levels and variants

Here are all the levels and variants of the Nocturnum skinline in Valorant:

• Level 1: Custom Model
• Level 2: Custom firing sounds and muzzle flash visual effects
• Level 3: Custom reload animation on all weapons. Custom visual effects and audio for all actions (equip, reload, idle, and inspect).
• Level 4: Custom Kill Banner (kill sound) and Finisher. After killing each player on the enemy team once, the Nocturnum ritual is fully unlocked and Noctis is summoned into your finisher, swallowing the world in darkness.
• Variant 1: Black variant (finisher VFX also changes)
• Variant 2: Blue variant (finisher VFX also changes)
• Variant 3: Yellow variant (finisher VFX also changes)

Following are the melee levels and variations:

• Level 1: Custom model
• Level 2: Brand new scythe melee type with custom swipes and inspect animations. Scythe transforms into a dagger on inspect animation. The dagger transforms back into the scythe when you use the inspect animation again. Custom right-click on the dagger. Plus added visual effects and audio on all actions.
• Variant 1: Black variant
• Variant 2: Blue variant
• Variant 3: Yellow variant

The post Valorant Nocturnum skinline release???? date, price, and weapons appeared first on Destructoid.

Vyse is Valorant's newest Agent to join the roster, and she will arrive with Episode 9 Act 2. She has a unique ability to disable enemies' ??primary ??weapons for a brief period, which can do some serious damage.

Vyse is? a Sentinel, the sixth one in the game after Cypher, Sage, Killjoy, Chamber, and Deadlock. Her Agent description says: "Metallic mastermind Vyse unleashes liquid metal to isolate, trap, and disarm her enemies."

Let's now take a look at her abilities in de??tail, as well as her arrival date.

Vyse's release date in Valorant

Vyse will arrive in Valorant on August 28, 2024. She is also known as Agent 26 and her abilities are sure to shake the meta or create a new one. Episode 9 Act 1's Night Market also ends on the same day.

All Vyse abilities

Here's a rundown of all four of Vyse's abilities:

• Arc Rose: Equip an Arc Rose. Target a surface and Fire to place a stealthed Arc Rose, or ALT. Fire to place the Arc Rose through it. Reuse to blind all players looking at it. This ability can be picked up to be redeployed.
• Shear: Equip filaments of liquid metal. Fire to place a hidden wall trap. When an enemy crosses, an indestructible wall bursts from the ground behind them. The wall lasts for a brief time before dissipating.
• Razorvine: Equip a nest of liquid metal. Fire to launch. Upon landing, the nest becomes invisible. When activated, it sprawls out into a large razorvine nest which slows and damages all players who move through it.
• Steel Garden (Ultimate): Equip a bramble of liquid metal. Fire to send the metal erupting from you as a torrent of metal thorns, jamming enemy primary weapons after a brief windup.

Steel Garden requires eight Ult Points to activ?ate.?? If an opponent falls in its radius, metallic vines will wrap their primary weapons, preventing them from being fired for a short period. You can, however, switch to your pistol during that time.

Vyse also becomes the first-ever Sentinel that can?? flash enemies, thanks to her Arc Rose ability. I?t can blind all players, so teammates need to be aware of that.

How to unlock Vyse in Valorant

When Episode 9 Act 2 starts, Vyse's Agent Contract will be available for 28 days. Activate it, play matches to collect XP, and you?? can unlock the sixth Sentinel right after.

If you can't collect enough XP within this time period, you can always unlock her later using 1,000 VP or ?8,000 Kingdom Credits.

Agent gear

Like other Ag??ents, Vyse also comes equipped with 10 Tiers of g?ear:

• Tier 1: Spray - Jammed
• Tier 2: Player Card - VALORANT Vyse
• Tier 3: Title - Tempered
• Tier 4: Spray - Arts and Crafts
• Tier 5: Kingdom Credits - 2,000
• Tier 6: Gun Buddy - Metal Petals
• Tier 7: Spray - Vyse Spray
• Tier 8: Title - Metalweaver
• Tier 9: Player Card - A History Erased
• Tier 10: Gun Skin - Steel Resolve (Classic)

That's all for Vyse and her abilities in Valorant. If you're itching to see some competitive Valorant and keep track of how pros respond to the changes, take a look at all the offseason tournaments Riot has planned for the rest of 2024.

The post Valorant Agent? 26 Vyse release date, abilities, role, more appeared first on Destructoid.

Episode 9 Act 1 of Valorant is winding down soon, which means the second Act will take over with a ton of new content. Here's when Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 will start.

The onset of a new Valorant Act always results in a shift in the meta, and this will be no different this time around. Episode 9 Act 2 will bring a new Agent, which ?means we will likely get to see a change in team compositions and new strategies unveiled at VCT next year.

Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 start date and time

Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 will commence on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. PT. Before that, ??t?he servers will undergo maintenance for a smooth transition into the new season.

What new content will Episode 9 Act 2 bring?

For starters, we will be getting to see a brand-new character joining the roster, Agent 26. Right now, we don't have the exact details of what role or abilities they'll have. Riot will reveal more during the end stages of Valorant Champions in South Korea.

Like all previous Acts, Episode 9 Act 2 will kick off with a fresh Battle Pass and a premium skin line. Remember that, starting with patch 9?? (Episode 9 Act 1), Riot made it a rule that the Battle Pass and the premium skin line would be released one and two days after the new se??ason starts.

Shortly after that, all the offseason tournaments for different regions will start following. Riot has an extensive plan, with b??oth returning and new events to keep the rest of this year filled with non-stop action.

The post When does Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 start? appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant Champions 2024 ends in A??ugust, but Riot Games has confirmed the action will not stop. The rest of the year will be filled with many official off-season tournaments for? every region.

Champions is the marquee event of Valorant, where the best of the best teams battle it out to get qualified to compete at the top stage. After it?? is over, several smaller events take over for the rest of the year. For 2024, Riot has planned certain new tournaments along with all the returning ones.

These include four Ascension tournaments, new Challengers competitions, 30 off-season events, and the Game Changers World Championship. Here are all the VCT off-season tournam??ents for all regions.

All VCT off-season tournaments for Americas

Americas will have 10 off-season VCT tournaments:

• Neon Dream Invitational: September 16 to 17
• MEG Qualifiers: September 27 to 29
• Red Bull Home Grounds NA Qualifier: September 29
• Sentinels Showmatch: October 9 and 22
• Ludwig x Tarik Invitational 3: October 12 to 13
• SUPER STARS Showmatch: October 19
• Sen City Classic: November 1 to 3
• MEG Finals: November 23
• VALORANT Underground (LAS): December 2 to 8
• VALORANT Underground (LAN): December 9 to 15

All VCT off-season tournaments for EMEA

EMEA will have eight off-season VCT tournaments:

• Lioness Cup VALORANT: October 19 to 25
• Superdome 2024 Phase 1: October 27 to November 1
• Coastal Combat Qualifiers: November 18 to 27
• Red Bull Home Ground: November 20 to 23
• Spike Nations International Phase: November 25 to 30
• Superdome 2024 Playoffs: November 28 to 30
• Spike Nations Grand Finals: December 3 to 4
• Coastal Combat Main Event: December 3 to 11

All VCT off-season tournaments for APAC

APAC will have 10 off-season VCT tournaments:

• REIGNITE//RENDEZVOUS: October 16 to November 22
• Limitless Invitational: October 16 to 20
• Mineski VxV presented by PPGL Qualifiers: October 18 to November 3
• Red Bull Home Ground APAC Qualifier: October 19 to 20
• Penta Off//Seasons: October 21 to 27
• TEN 2024_VALORANT GLOBAL INVITATIONAL: October 26 to 27
• One Game Showdown Qualifiers: October 28 to November 7
• 2024 GES Asia: November 2 to 3
• Mineski VxV Playoffs presented by PPGL: November 22 to December 2
• UNSTOPPABLE â€?4: November 28 to December 1
• One Game Showdown Playoffs: November 29 to December 1
• Convergence 2024: December 2 to 8
• SOOP VALORANT LEAGUE 2024: December 10 to 15
• Predator League 2025: January 8 to 12

All VCT off-season tournaments for CN

CN will have two off-season VCT tournaments:

• Shanghai Esports Masters: December 6 to 7
• East Asia Tri-Cup: November 21 to December 1

The post All Valorant offs?eason t??ournaments (2024): Americas, EMEA, APAC & CN appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant 9.03 patch on August 13 brings a ton of qualit?y-of-life up??dates involving different Agents to ensure smoother gameplay. Here's a rundown of everything from update 9.03 patch notes.

With Valorant patch update 9.03, both PC and console players can experience a slew of ?changes that will induce better communication among team members. The Ground ??spreading and Map Targeted abilities are the highlights of this update.

What's new in Valorant patch 9.03?

Starting patch 9.03, you can see improvements to several Agent abilities like Brimstone’s Incendiary and Viper's Snakebite?, the ones that spread along the ground. This will be in the form of more consistent spreading and applying damage.

Additional icons and pings? will now be visible for abilities of certain Controller Agents such as Brimstone’s Sky Smoke and Orbital Strike, Clove’s Ruse, and Omen’s From The Shadows.

You can also see Sage's Barrier placement on the minimap and Pearl map is finally pla?yable for Unrated and Swift Play game modes. You can che?ck the full patch notes below.

Full Valorant 9.03 patch notes

All Platforms

General Updates

• Made improvements to how overlapping interactable objects work. You should now perform the desired action more consistently.

  • For Example: A dart from Cypher’s Spycam should no longer prevent you from attaching to a rope if you’re directly looking at it.

Agent Updates

• Ground Spreading Abilities

  • We're making improvements to abilities that spread along the ground like Brimstone’s Incendiary and Viper's Snakebite. Previously, these abilities had inconsistent effects depending on the exact location they landed, ranging from extremely different sizes or damaging through walls and in areas the ability wasn’t visually present. With this update, these abilities should spread more consistently and only apply damage in places that are consistent with the visuals.

• Map Targeted Abilities Improvements

  • You can now ping and see additional icons on maps used for ability targeting

    • Affected abilities: Brimstone’s Sky Smoke and Orbital Strike, Clove’s Ruse, and Omen’s From The Shadows.

• Sage’s Barrier Orb

  • Barrier Orb’s placement preview now also shows up on the minimap.

Performance Updates

• Improved the performance of Iso’s Kill Contract ability.

Bug Fixes

General

• Fixed issue where opening menus would reset your toggle crouch/toggle walk state.

Gameplay Systems

• Fixed a bug where pinging guns on the ground was not displaying the gun's name in the text feed.
• Fixed a rare bug that resulted in the defuse timer showing up as â€?00.00â€?if the Spike was defused as the round timer hit 0.
• Fixed an issue with Ability icons not appearing on the minimap as an Observer.
• Fixed an issue where in certain scenarios, you can see an enemy but they don’t appear on the minimap.
• Fixed an issue where "DAMAGE TO YOU/YOU DEALT" is overlapping the Combat Report widget.
• Fixed font size readability issues with Combat Report in certain languages.
• Fixed an issue with auto re-scoping for Outlaw, Marshall, Operator staying active while the gun goes through a reload.

Maps

• Abyss

  • Fixed a spot in Mid Library where thrown abilities can clip through the shelves into gameplay space.
  • Fixed a spot where Agent utility could be thrown off the map and used as a platform.
  • Revised the message from the Scions of the Hourglass to fix text errors.
  • Fixed a minor visual issue for the railings around Defender Spawn.

• The Range

  • Fixed a bug where certain words in the Range were not being translated correctly into various languages.

PC

Bug Fixes

Client

• Combat Report

  • Fixed a bug where during pre-round, [Tab] must be held down while pressing the cursor toggle button to enable the cursor.

Console

Map Updates

• Pearl enters Unrated & Swift Play queues.

Known Issues

General

• Fixed issue where opening an Ability map and the Shop/Scoreboard simultaneously could result in a loss of input.
• Fixed an issue where pressing an Ability button while diffusing the Spike would equip a weapon.

Agents

• Harbor

  • Fixed an issue where Harbor’s High Tide wall would end prematurely.

While the new Valorant 9.03 patch is live, here's when the next Night Market takes place.

The post Val?orant 9.03 patch notes: Sage Barrier Orb changes, better Ground Spreading &a??mp; Map Targeted abilities, more appeared first on Destructoid.

Riot Games rotates the competitive map pool in Valorant every Episode to ensure? variety and a constant change in m?eta. Here are all the maps in the current rotation.

Right now, Episode 9 Act 1 is underway, and the new season also introduced the 11th map in Valorant, Abyss. It was added to the competitive map pool after a week of its rel????ease.

During these map pool changes, Riot reworks certain sites of maps they take out. They introduce these overhauls to improve gameplay and give rise to new metas through various Agent buffs and nerfs.

Current Valorant map pool

Here's what the current Valorant map pool looks like in Episode 9 Act 1:

• Abyss
• Ascent
• Bind
• Haven
• Icebox
• Lotus
• Sunset

The current Valorant pool includes those maps that are played in Ranked, as well as in VCT and all other Valorant esports tournaments, including Premier.

Riot Games has confirmed that the next map to be moving out of the roster is Sunset. In their July State of the Maps blog, the devs?? said, "We’re exploring design updates to B Site to help d?eal with post plant spam/gameplay that we’ve been observing in matches. Expect these changes and maybe some minor quality of life fixes."

This will take place with the release of patch 9.08,? which will also bring Pearl and Split back to th??e competitive scene.

The post All Valorant maps in current competitive rotation appeared first on Destructoid.

With Valorant being in open beta now, console players can get in on the fun that PC players have been experiencing for years. That being said, is Valorant crossplay compatible between PC and PS5? Here’s what w??e kn??ow.

Is Valorant crossplay compatible between PC and PS5?

Unfortunately, Valorant does not support crossplay between PC and PS5, nor does PC have that option with Xbox consoles. Due to the nature of the game, PC players do have a massive advantage over console players. This isn’t a game like Overwatch or recent Call of Duty games where the TTK (Time to Kill) is high enough so that those playing on?? a controller can have a fair gunfight. 

The good news is that if you have a friend who plays on PC and you wish to play with them, cross-progression is ??an option. Whether you want to bring your console account to PC or they bring their PC account to an Xbox Series X/S or PS5, it’s possible.

Is Valorant crossplay between PS5 and Xbox?

Luckily, PS5 and Xbox players can match up and squad up together on Valorant. Since players on both consoles are on the same playing field, there are no advantages or?? disadvantages over the other. 

Just make sure yo?u actually have the feature enabled so you can broaden your search pool when matchmaking.

How to enable crossplay on Valorant (PS5 and Xbox only)

By default, you should have crossplay enabled on Valorant if you’re playing the open beta on PS5 or Xbox. However, just to double-check that it’s on, press your menu or opt?ions button on your controller to bring up the Options menu.

From here, select Settings. In the General tab, find the Privacy section and see that “Allow Crossplay�is ??set to on. You can also set other important options like limiting friend requests and hiding names.

So, unfortunately, you can’t match or link with PC players?? if you’re on PS5 or Xbox, but you can with other console players.

The post Is Valorant crossplay compati??ble between PC and PS5? Explained appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant, the 5v5 online multiplayer shooter game from Riot Games, depends severely on combined efforts. Squads in Valorant may have that one player who might be carrying them through rounds, but winning matches in Valorant requires the entire team to work together.

To achieve this, players need to communicate throughout a match in Valorant to have a better chance at winning matches. New players in Valorant can find it probably a bit too overwhelming when they match up with strangers online who are calling out shots, enemies and potential plays us??ing phrases they might not understand.

So, to help players make sense of some of the most common terminology in Valorant, here are some common phrases in Valorant and what they mean:

One-shot / one-tap

One-tap refers to the elimination of a opponent with just one bullet, which ??is typically a headshot. One-shot is a teammate callout which means that the opponent has suffered enough damage, that they can be eliminated by just one more shot.

Link, Elbow, Short, Long, Heaven, Hell

These are strategic map callouts, representing locations on the map. Link, as the term suggests, is a pathway that connects two larger areas of the map. Short and Long refer to the pathways that exist from the attacker spawn up to the spike site. Short refers to the quickest route of the two, while Long is comparatively the sl?ower ro?ute to the spike site.

Elbows are areas in the map which consist of tight corners. Elbows in Valorant are especially dangerous as pl??ayers can be an open tar??get from multiple angles in these areas.

Heaven also refers to a location on a map which consists of high ground and acts? as a natural nest for snipers to operate from. Hell is typically a playable section of the map just below Heaven. Each map will ??usually have specific callouts around these, such as C Long, so it helps to brush up on the common map terminology.

Eco round and Force-buy/full-buy/half-buy

Eco, short for economy, refers to the strategy around spending cash before the round starts. When a team or player chooses t?o opt for an "eco round," it means that they are saving credits this round, so that they can have enough credits in the next round to buy a full-kit loadout.

Force-buy refers to a situation where the team or player opts to buy better weapons even though their funds are limited, in order to "force" forward momentum. Speaking o??f which, full-buy refers to purchasing one's fully desired loadout.

Half-buy refers to a middle ground in spending cr?edits, where players try to f?ind a balance between kitting themselves up for the round while ensuring that they save enough credits to be able to get a full-buy in the next round.

Rush

Rush is an aggressive strategy where the team looks to quickly make? their way together to the site in order to surprise the opponents and take control of the site.

Fake

Fake can either refer to a fake defuse or fake clone during matches. Fake defuse is th??e act of pretending to defuse the spike, so as to bait the defending team into leaving their cover. As for a fake clone, it refers to Yoru's ability to use a F?akeout clone, which is used to trick enemies into thinking that Yoru has teleported.

Lineup

Lineup refers to the use of certain abilities in Valorant in specific ways that depend on factors such as a player’s position on the map, elements of the map, the positioning of the player’s crosshair, and more. Lineups are most effective during defense, with agents such as Sova, Viper, and Brimstone having lineup angles which allow players to use their abilities from a safe distance to ?pressure the spike or site.

Molly

Molly is? the informal name for Brimstone’s Incendiary ability.

OP

OP refers to the Operator sniper rifle in Valorant. It can also broad?ly mean overpowered, though you'll probabl??y encounter the weapon callout more frequently in Riot's shooter.

Clutch

Clutch is another common gaming phrase in gaming, and not just Valorant. In Valorant, the Clutch announcement happens at the end of the round when the winning team's last standing agent wins the roun??d from a position of ?disadvantage.

NT

Typically used in chat, you can also come across players saying it in voice channel too. NT is an abbreviation for “nice try� and it is usually said by teammates to a player who played a??dmirably in? the round.

Lurk

Lurk or lurking refers to instances where a player is roaming around the map, looking for potential fra?gs in isolated areas.

MB

MB is another chat phrase, and it is short form for “my bad� which means that the player is claimi??ng responsibility for a mist??ake they made.

Cubby

Cubby are specific zones on a map which are hidden from the general viewpoint and can be used to hide and wait for enemies in order to get a few surprise eliminations. Valorant agents like Harbor can even create th??eir own cubbies, which can be used to develop small dead zones which en??emies may overlook.

Flank

Flank, or flanking, refers to the ??act of hitting an enemy from the side or a different front, in order to sp??lit their attention and find openings.

Peek

A peek in Valorant refers to stepping out from cover to either locate or engage an ene?my??.

Res/Rez

Both of these commonly refer to Sage’s ultimate ability to revive ?a dead teammate during a round. It can also be a spec??ific callout from a KAY/O, if they are downed during their ultimate ability, as they can be revived by any teammate for a short duration.

TP

TP stands for tel??eport, which is a callout to inform teammates that an enemy player has teleported.

Thrifty

The Thrifty announcement happens at the end of a ro?und where the winning team's total average spent during the buy round was at least 2,500 less than?? the losing team. This signifies that the winning team spent less on the loadout, and still won the round.

Smoke

Smokes in Valorant refers?? to the sphere-shaped clouds of smoke used by different agents such as Brimstone, Omen, Astra, and Jett. These smokes are used as a way to control the map and reduce the overall visibility of any section of the map temporarily.

Entry frag

Entry frag refers to a player who enters the hostile areas first, looking to grab the first elimination, and also learn about the enemy team's positioning. Duelist agents in Valorant are typically expected to be entry fraggers, given they have a s??et of aggressive abilities to aid them in combat.

Wallbang

Wallbang means shooting at enemies through a wall in Valorant. There are some walls where it is possible to shoot through and still deal damage to opponents, which can be handy when dealing with e??ntrenched foes.

Rotate

Rotate is a strategic callout in Valorant, which means that the team should stop their advance towards one particular spike site, and change course towards a different spike site instead. In some instances, it may also be used to switch to an a?lternate route for the same spike site, or indicate defenders shifting from watching one site to another.

The post The most common Valorant terminology, explained appeared first on Destructoid.

Riot Games�Valorant offers players the ability to hold their weapons in either of the hands of the Agents. The default orientation features right-handed handling of weapons, abilities, and ordinances. However, players do have the option to opt for the left-handed view as w??ell.

Whether this leads to any improvements in gameplay or not, is up for debate but it’s nice to have the choice in Valorant nonetheless. Anyway, if you’re willing to give the left-handed view a go, here’s how to switch to left-hand in Valorant:

1. Start Valorant.
2. Head to the Settings option by clicking the gear icon present in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. In the General tab, scroll down to the Other section.
4. Navigate to the "First Person Handedness" and click on Left.

That’s all you have to do in order to hold the weapons in the left hand instead. You can also switch hands during a match by heading? to Settings and following the above steps.

The right-hand orientation has been around in shooter games for so long, that even to a completely left-handed person such as myself, the idea just felt off when I tried it in Valorant and Counter-Strike. It is perhaps? just down to what we have practised with and are familiar with, just like how ?we left-handed folks are used to having the mouse on the right in PC setups.

So, if the orientation seems natural, that’s great, but you can always go back to the righ??t-handed mode. Just follow the same steps listed above and choose Right in the “First Pers??on Handedness�section.

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Players in Valorant all have a display name, known as your Riot ID, that teammates as well as opponents can see. Then, there is also the Riot username that is used to log in to your Valorant account to play the game. While it is possible to change your Riot ID, and the display name, it i?s not possible to change your username.

The Riot ID, or display name, consists of a chosen name that other players can also see, and it is suffixed by a tagline. This tagline is attached ?to a display name to create an overall unique display name.

The display name can be anything you like, regardless of wh??ether it is already taken or not, and that is why the tagline exists, so as to ensure that the account can be uniquely identified. You can also change y??our tagline, but it needs to be unique.

How to change your display name in Valorant

1. Go to the Riot Account login page.
2. Log in to your Riot account.
3. Head to the Riot ID tab.
4. Under ‘Game Name�section, enter your desired Valorant display name.
5. You can also enter your desired tagline in the next field.
6. Click ‘Save Changes�to confirm your new display name.

Gamers who play multiple Riot Games titles can choose different display names for all their games. This means that changes made to your Valorant display name, will not alter your display name in League of Legends, or any other Riot game.

It is only possible to change your Rio??t ID once every 30 days,?? so give it a good thought before finalizing the change. Also, make sure that the display name does not contain offensive language, as it can lead to a suspension or permanent ban on your account.

The post How to change display name and tagli?ne in Valorant appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant players can run into a variety of errors on PC, which can either crash their game or prevent it from launching. One of the most common errors that Valorant players face starts with, “A critical error has occurred, and the process must be terminated…�There are several factors that could lead to players receiving this error when they try to start Valorant.

Here are some of the possible solutions to fix this error on Valorant:

Run Valorant as Administrator

Several common errors in Valorant, including this “critical error� may be fixed when you ensure that you are running Valorant as an Administrator. Running the game as an admin makes sure that the game and its anti-cheat Vanguard software is given the permissions necessary t??o run.

• To run the game as an admin, Click the “Windowsâ€?icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
• Search for â€?em>VALORANTâ€?using the search bar.
• Right-click on the â€?em>VALORANTâ€?game result, and then select “Open file locationâ€?
• This opens a new window, select "VALORANT" with right-click, and choose “Propertiesâ€?
• Head to the “Compatibilityâ€?tab.
• In the “Settingsâ€?section, enable the “Run this program as an administratorâ€?option.
• Click on “Applyâ€? and then choose “OKâ€?
• Restart your computer.

This will ensure that you always run the game as admin, and the game sh??ould run without t??he error popping up.

Reinstall Vanguard

If the game is not running even af??ter trying to run as admin, players can also try to reinstall Vanguard.

Vanguard, as mentioned above, is the game’s anti-cheat software, and it is an integral part of the game. Running Valorant without Vanguard running in the background is mandatory. So, if there are any issues that are causing problems with Vanguard, it will automatically lead to game launch issues for Valorant.

Here is how to reinstall Vanguard:

• Close the Vanguard app if it is running in the background. To do so, click the up arrow (^) present on the system tray, present at the bottom-right corner of your screen.
• Right-click on the Vanguard icon, and choose “Exit Vanguardâ€? choose “Yesâ€?in the confirmation window that pops up.
• Now, click on the “Windowsâ€?icon from the taskbar, and open “Settingsâ€?
• Navigate to the “Appsâ€?section.
• Scroll down to find “Riot Vanguardâ€?
• Click on the ellipsis button (â€? on the right.
• Select “Uninstallâ€?and choose “Yesâ€?in both of the confirmation windows that pop up.
• Restart your computer after the uninstallation is complete.
• After the computer restarts, open the “Riot Clientâ€?application.
• Choose Valorant.
• Click on the “Updateâ€?button and give the confirmation in the window that pops up.
• Once the installation is complete, the Riot Client will ask you to restart your computer.
• Restart your computer and then run Valorant.

These two are the most common solutions for fixing this particular launch error. If these solutions also do not work, players can also try reinstalling both Valorant and Vanguard once again.

The post Valorant: How to fix “A critical error has occurred” launch error appeared first on Destructoid.

Valorant, the popular online shooter game, features a variety of agents, and each of them has unique abilities to offer. Unlocking agents is important in Valorant, as it allows you to explore new playstyles, and find out which ag??ent works out the best for you.

There are three different ways to unlock an agent in Valorant. You can either pay for them and unlock them via Valorant Points (VP), or you can earn Kingdom Credits and then use them to unlock a?n agent, or you can take up an agent contract, complete missions, and gain XP to unlock the ?agent.

How to unlock agents in using Valorant Points

Unlocking a Valorant agent requires 1,000 Valorant Points, which can be purchased from the in-game ??store for $10.

• Start Valorant and click the Valorant Points icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
• After purchasing 1,000 VP, come back to the main menu and go to Collections
• From the Agents tab, select the agent you’d like to buy using Valorant Points.

How to unlock Valorant agents using Kingdom Credits

You need 8,000 Kingdom Credits in Valorant to unlock an agent. Kingdom Credits can be earned by completing matches and missions. In order to gain Kingdom Credits faster, you should play Unrated, Swiftplay, Competitive, and Premier modes as they reward you with 10 Kingdom Credits for each round you complete in a match. This means that a standard Valorant match in Unrated or Competitive can earn you 130 Kingdom Credits, as the game will go up to at least 13 rounds without any side surrendering. For modes such as Team Deathmatch, Spike Rush, and Escalation, you only get 20 King??dom Credits for completing the game.

After earning 8,0?00 Kingdom Cr?edits, head to the in-game Agent store. Select the agent you wish to unlock and choose to spend Kingdom Credits to unlock the agent.

How to unlock Valorant agents using Contracts

There are two different contracts available in Valorant to unlock agents. New players are offered the Free Welcome Contract, which allows them to unlock t??wo agents of their choice. These choices arrive at Tier 5 and 10 of the contract. Contract tiers have to be reached by gaining XP, which can be earned by completing daily and weekly missions, playing matches, and more.

Then, there is also the Agent Recruitment Event. Whenever a new agent is released in Valorant, players can unlock them for free by ??complet??ing the objectives of the new event.

• Head to the Agent store, and choose the new agent.
• Choose “Recruitâ€?which will start the event.

Players have to earn 200,000 XP to unlock the new agent during the event which will last 28 days. After 28 days, if players fail to unlock the agent, the agent will be available in the store and can be purchased using Valorant Points or Kingdom Credits. Players cannot unlock n??ew agents using Kingdom Credits until the Agent Recruitment Event ends.

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Xbox and Riot Games announced a partnership in 2022, which brought a variety of benefits to th??e Xbox Game Pass membership. Players who have an active Xbox Game Pass membership receive a variety of rewards and perks in several Riot Games title??s.

To get benefits and perks in Valorant, ??players have to first link their Xbox account to their Riot account. Here is how to link the ac??counts:

• Go to the Riot Games and Xbox Game Pass welcome page.
• Log in to your Microsoft account, and make sure it is the same account that has an Xbox profile.
• Click “Yesâ€?to allow Riot Games to access your Xbox Live information.
• Sign in with your Riot account.

Once, the accounts are linked. You’ll find the rewards and benefits in Valorant. However, these rewards will only persist in Valorant as long as you have an ??active Xbox Game Pass membership. It may take roughly 24 hours for the benefits to become available in the game after the accounts are linked.

Game Pass membership benefits in Valorant

In Valorant, Game Pass players get all Valorant Agents unlocked for free. Moreover, having an active Xbox Game Pass membership will also ensure that any new agent coming to Valorant is instantly unlocked on your account on day one. Valorant players with the Game Pass membership also get a 20% match XP boost that applies to Battle Pass, Active Agent Contract and E??vent Pass progress.

This XP boost will not apply to daily and weekly missions, or the overall ac?count level XP. This 20% XP boost is not po??ssible to stack with other XP boosts.

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Valorant, the 5v5 online shooter game, makes it extremely easy for players to copy the crosshair of a teammate. It is actually a useful feature, given how important crosshairs are in shooter games. Each player in Valorant has their own unique preference for how they want the crosshair to look in Valorant.

You can tweak around with crosshair settings in Valorant to see what works for you, but sometimes, y?ou might just come across an online teammate while spectating, whose crosshair looks worth a shot.

Players can copy an interesting crosshair they come across while spectati??ng teammates in online games. The process to do it is fairly simple, and you can do it without the teammate finding out about it. Since the process to copy crosshairs only works during spectator mode, you cannot copy an opponent’s crosshair settings.

Here is how to copy a crosshair in Valorant:

1. Tap the ‘Enter�key on your keyboard to open up the chat box while spectating.
2. Type �crosshair copy�or �cc�into the chat box and press the Enter key.
3. This will copy the crosshair of the teammate you are spectating.

How to use imported crosshair in Valorant

This step only copies the crosshair settings and imports them into your profile settings. Here’s how to use ?the importe??d crosshair:

• Head to Settings in Valorant.
• Head to the ‘Crosshairâ€?tab.
• Navigate to the crosshair profile option.
• Choose the newly imported crosshair profile from the drop-down menu.

There’s another way to use a different crosshair you come across. You can also find crosshair codes online, which is a great way to use the exact crosshair code that pro players in Valorant use.

After finding a crosshair code online, you can head to the crosshair tab in Valorant settings.
Open t??he import screen and paste the crosshair code into the “import profile�sec??tion and select “Import�to save the changes.

Players can copy and save up to 15 different profiles for crosshairs in Valorant. Given that copying the crosshair via the in-game code is only possible while spectating, players cannot co?py the crosshair settings for ?another team during instant respawn modes such as Escalation, and Deathmatch.

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Riot Games has released the first patch for Episode 9 in Valorant. There are several quality-of-life changes coming to the console, with Valorant currently in its limited beta stages on the P?S5 and Xbox Series X/S. Riot has also made some balance changes for a couple of agents.

For starters, Iso has been nerfed as their Double Tap ability’s duration has been reduced from 20 seconds to 12 seconds for PC players. Moreover, Riot has also removed Iso’s Double Tap ability getting refreshed a??fter securing two kills. The only way to extend Double Tap now is to shoot the orbs that spawn while the ability is active.

Iso shield glitch fixed

Several bug fixes have arrived with Episode 9 Act 1, but the fix for Iso’s shield glitch was heavily requested. Before the patch, there was a mismatch of Iso’s shield hitbox as it was comparatively smaller when the ability was triggered when Iso was in the c?rouch position.

Other fixes include fixing a bug that was allowing players to get under the new Abyss map, and ??Omen can now get between the spawn barriers using its teleport ability. Over on console, Sova’s Owl Drone has had its HP increased to 100 (was 60)??.

Ranked updates

The map pool for Ran??ked mode on PC now features the latest map called Abyss. Speaking of Ranked, the competitive mode has now been introduced for consoles. Abyss will also be added to the map pool for Ranked on consoles, alongside Ascent, Bind, Haven, and Sunset. The likes of Lotus, Breeze, and Icebox are missing, but Riot says other maps will be slowly added in the “next few patches�

Controls Preset added for consoles

Console players will now see a "Controls Preset" selection screen when they start Valorant for the first time. This will give players the option to choose the Riot-recommended control preset or the traditional console FPS preset to play Valorant. Players can change between control presets anytime ??by heading to the Settings menu and navigating to the Controls tab. There are other improvements made by Riot to provide better customization on consoles for crosshairs, and aim sensitivity.

Valorant players on PC who repeatedly use "zero tolerance terms" in text chat will now receive "increased penalties", which may refer to longer suspensions and eventual banning. Valorant players on PC can now take part in the Premier mode, which has launched the Path to Pro road. You can find all the changes that are now live in Valorant on the official patch notes 9.0 webpage.

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Riot Games�Valorant is a popular 5v5 shooter game, which has only been available on PC since its launch in 2020. During the Summer Game Fest 2024, Riot Games announced that Valorant will be coming to Xbox Series X??/S and PlayStation 5. There is currently a limited beta running in select countries, allowing players to try out the shooter title ahead of its global launch. This also gives Riot Games feedback to iron out bugs and issues and polish the game port in time for release.

Even with the game in its limited beta stages, Valorant is apparently well-equipped to detect and ban players who are using a keyboard-and-mouse on consoles. Given that the title is released on console, players who compete with controllers will be at a disadvantage against players using keyboard-and-mouse, this typical PC input combination is banned on Valorant and many other shooter titles on console.

Spotted by Twitter/X account ​​Anti-Cheat Police Department, a video shows a Valorant player who was illegally using a keyboard and mouse input on their console, caught mid-match, and kicked out of the game. The player also received a “Cheater Detect?ed�message and?? that the match has been terminated.

This is a positive sign that Riot Games has already managed to bring its anti-cheat measures to the console port for Valorant. Given that Valorant has been around for? four years now, they have had plenty of time to work and improve their Riot Vanguard, their own anti-cheating softw??are.

It is quite common for new multiplayer shooter titles that release, to be vulnerable to hacks and cheats, like we have witnessed in Ubisoft’s XDefiant game. However, this does not mean that Valorant is mostl??y free of exploits and hacks. The fight against cheaters is constant and studios have to keep improving their measures to detect them as hacks become more complicated and harder to detect.

Valorant limited beta is currently ongoing in the North America, Europe, and Japan regions, and Rio??t Games says that they may expand to other regions la??ter on.

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On June 2014 Riot Games kicked off a limited-time closed beta for Valorant to give t??he title a test run before getting officially launched.

Valorant officially launched on 2020 as a PC exclusive title. After four years the 5v5 free-to-play tactica?l shooter is finally coming to PlayStation and Xbox. If you were lucky enough to sign up and time and get a code, the beta includes a mix of new and old maps at launch and more will be added at a later date. In addition, the trial offers all of the core a??nd non-competitive game modes at launch. All progress and purchases made during the limited beta will carry over to the full release, so players don't have to worry about losing anything.

The console version of Valorant does not support cross-play so you unfortunately won'??t be able to play with frie??nds on PC. However, here is everything you need to know about the console beta schedule and what to expect.

Valorant console limited beta schedule

Riot confirmed that the Valorant console beta will end when it is confident that the se??rvers and net code are ready for launch. The development team also assured fans that they would give players an advance notice about an end date.

For players who want updates on the status of the beta, they should follow the official Valorant Twitter account.

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The Valorant PS5 trophies are out in the wild, and unfortunately, it doesn't include a platinum. However, there will be a total of 16 trophies to get when Valorant finally launches on the PS5 later this year.

Per trophy tracking site PSN Profiles, the list is out there, and incoming Valorant players may be dismayed t??o find out there won't be a? platinum to earn. There will be six gold trophies to earn, however. They include:

• They're super dead! - Get 1000 headshots
• Looks like I got a little carried away - Dish out 500,000 damage
• Take control - Use abilities 4,000 times
• Must I do everything? - Get an Ace (being the only player in the team to take out everyone in the opposing squad)
• Five in, five out - Get a Flawless (everyone in your team is alive at the end of a round)
• You want to play? Let's play - Use your Ultimate 300 times

You can test your skills in the console version of Valorant starting Friday through a Console Limited Beta this weekend. You'll need to sign up for it if you haven't already. If accepted, you'll get an i??nvite email, which contains access for yourself and five friends.

Valorant beta progress carries forward

The ??nice thing is that your progress will be kept as it stays on your account. If you want, you can log in to the game's PC version and keep going.

Keep in mind that PC and console players can't play together, but PS5 and Xbox Series players can squad up. "We believe strongly in competitive integrity, and this is the best way for us to keep the experience fair and consistent for players on both console and PC," explained Riot Games in a FAQ.

Hopefully, while playing the game, you won't face any toxicity from voice chat. Riot Games began to record conversations in the game, starting?? in May 2021, to counter the hate.

The post Valorant PS5 trophies won’t include a platinum appeared first on Destructoid.

Riot Games announced during 2024 Summer Game Fest that its popular free-to-play 5v5 FPS Valorantwill finally be coming to consoles. According to Riot, the console versions of Valorant features custom-built gameplay in order to uphold the competitive gameplay it is known for. A beta will be available to global players on both platforms soon, with a more limited beta kic??????????????????????????king off for certain regions on June 14, 2024.

World's most popular shooter is about to get bigger

Despite already being the most-played FPS in the world, Valorant is about to get a lot bigger by coming to consoles. Even though the PC player base is massive, there are still a?? ton of potential players who simply ??don't like playing with mouse and keyboard or don't have a PC to play on.

Before you worry about console players with aim assist taking over your lobbies—a problem other cross-platform FPS titles usually suffers from—PC and console will not have cross-play available. However, Valorant accounts will share a connected inventory and gameplay progression acro?ss all platforms, meaning you can access your cosmetics and?? other unlockables regardless of the platform you're playing on.

"When exploring whether to bring Valorant to additional platforms, we knew we had to be able to offer the same uncompromising, competitive experience that we’ve provided to PC players for years: a precise, team-based, tactical shooter. We were adamant that Valorant's core, competitive gameplay must feel natural on a controller; and - if we couldn’t deliver on that gameplay promise - we had to be prepared to walk away from it. We hope we nailed it, but ultimately, our players will have the final say.�/p>

- Arnar Gylfason, Production Director of Valorant at Riot Games

The console versions of Valorant won't be lagging behind, either. According to Riot, both PC? and console versions of the games will receive simultaneous releases including live patch balances, new agents, maps, premium content, a??nd more.

A limited beta will kick off on June 14, 2024, on both Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 for players in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. Those interested in participating can register for the beta here.

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The best FPS games to play are those with tight controls, badass weaponry, and gameplay that tests you to your very l?imits. The following games certainly do that as you blast your way through enemies wit??h a typically powerful arsenal.

Apex Legends remains to be one of the best battle royale games out there, while Doom Eternal provides single-player fans with a juicy campaign packed to capacity with thr??ill. Here are all the best FP??S games you can play right now.

[caption id="attachment_369717" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via EA[/caption]

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a battle royale that came out of nowhere in 2019, courtesy of EA and Respawn, and has taken the world by storm. Moving around the world is excitedly energetic as you can slide and wall climb anywhere you please. Each character has their own ability to add to the chaos, such as Caustic dropping poisonous canisters onto the battlefield and Gibraltar summoning a bomb??ardment toward their foes. It's free to play and is crossplay compatible, so you can join games with your friends in a snap as well. The costumes you can buy are also pretty out there �as you can see in the picture above.

[caption id="attachment_480038" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via EA[/caption]

Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3, despite releasing more than a decade ago, still warrants playing today. The shooting feels spot-on and feels heavier than the likes of Call of Duty and Titanfall. The bigger maps allow for thrilling sniping action, and you can ride vehicles like tanks across the battlefield. There are some smaller maps like Operation Metro as well that will test your skills with its narrow hallways and diverse battle environments. This game has a strong map variety. The Battlefield series focuses more on teamwork as you can resupply your pals on the squad and revive them from death; it's much more strategic than a game of Team Deathmatch. It would be great if the Battlefield series could stand tall again.

[caption id="attachment_480042" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via 2K[/caption]

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is my most nostalgic FPS, and it could be yours too. It has a hilarious script with a devious, unruly antagonist who thinks too much of himself. However, the main highlight is collecting loot. As you defeat enemies and bosses around the world, you'll collect all sorts of weapons each with their own stats and gimmicks to use on foes. I remember laughing and playing with my online friends every week. The game's so entertaining that I beat the game through the mediocre streaming service OnLive and still enjoyed it.

Its sequel Borderlands 3 looks better and? runs impressively, but to me, the more engaging experience is the second entry in the series due ??to the characters and weapons you'll find.

[caption id="attachment_369853" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Activision[/caption]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 brings everything you love about the series. A spectacular array of weapons, detailed multiplayer maps, and a thoroughly entertaining campaign. This series is the pinnacle of the FPS genre as each gun feels impactful and the controls are on point. The new maps, which include Breenbergh Hotel and the V??alderas Museum, are also highlights �p??resenting depth and a wide range of scenarios from short-range to long-range combat. It's just a shame this game is such a storage hog!

[caption id="attachment_400393" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via CD Projekt Red[/caption]

Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red weaves an intriguing story led by the custom player character, V, and their compan??ion, the mysterious Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. Somehow, Silverhand slowly takes over your mind, narrating a fascinating pl??ot from beginning to end.

And if you soured on Cyberpunk at launch, now may be the time to revisit. CD Projekt Red has pushed a ton of updates since launch, and the heavy patching was enough to draw mass player attention two years later. Even if the story isn't your thing, the gunpla??y's still decent, with all manner of weapons to find among the open world of Night City and beyond. There's also the badass Phantom Liberty expansion that features Hobbs & Shaw actor Idris Elba. 

[caption id="attachment_369878" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Valve[/caption]

Counter-Strike 2

The most intense FPS you can play is Counter-Strike 2. Available as a free-to-play title, this game of?fers intuitive shooting controls and will require precise shots from you to win. Beloved maps like "Dust 2" and "Office" require deep st??rategy as you manoeuvre through their tight corners. The system in which you buy each weapon also adds to the pressure of the game �Spend too much and you'll be stuck with a pistol for one round.

[caption id="attachment_400394" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Valve[/caption]

Left 4 Dead 2

This one’s an oldie but a goodie, and it's likely almost all of your friends on Steam have it. In Left 4 Dead 2, hordes of zombies rage toward you and three other unlucky companions as you relentlessly unload against decaying foes. There are multiple types of swarming undead like the Spitters, who blast acid, or bulky infected that charge in without a moment’s notice—aptly named, you guessed it, Chargers. It’s intense, as the chaos demands you need to be alert at all times. However, Valve does provide some levity within the game’s funny dialogue. Left 4 Dead 2 certainly has aged well; the dedicated community proves as much.

[caption id="attachment_369883" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bethesda[/caption]

Doom Eternal

If multiplayer isn't your bag and you want a shot at some intense FPS gameplay, Doom Eternal will call you. You'll be ripping and tearing through demons as you shred bullets into them with your powerful weapons. The environments look unique as they're hellish and post-apocalyptic. In addition, the music will keep your heart pumping while you take on some of the toughest bosses in gaming. If you decide to pick up Doom Eternal, you'll be in for a thrilling time.

[caption id="attachment_369884" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Ubisoft[/caption]

Rainbow Six Siege

If you're tired of Counter-Strike and want to dive into more gadget-based encounters, Rainbow Six Siege should interest you. You're setting up barricades, blasting explosives, and using an axe to dent the walls to either save the hostage or keep hostiles away. The shooting is intense as only a few bullets can seal your fate, and that rush of danger is what keeps many players coming back for more.

[caption id="attachment_369885" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Nintendo[/caption]

Metroid Prime Remastered

Metroid Prime has never looked better, thanks to Nintendo and its fantastic remaster. The game has stellar design, entertaining puzzles, and thrilling bosses to face along the way. The exploration of the world is key in the game and returning to past areas with new abilities is supe?r satisfying. The remaster has improved the game significantly with a more modern two-stick control method.

The remaster has impressed us with its graphical upgrade. "Metroid Prime Remastered is a fantastic renewal of the classic GameCube title," said Zoey Handley in their Destructoid review."It now looks like how our brains tell us it looked the first time we played it." It's one of the best FPS games to play as it offers a great opportunity to get caught up on the lore before the fabled Metroid Prime 4. 

[caption id="attachment_400391" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Ascendant Studios[/caption]

Immortals of Aveum

Immortals of Aveum may have flown under t??he radar for FPS fans, but it’s certainly worth gearing up for. The m?agic-based take on the genre is refreshing, with spectacular effects and outstanding (and demanding) graphical capabilities all around.

The story is dull as hell, but the combat is a constant thrill. You'll take on mighty bosses—like the mega-nasty dragon, Howler—with all manner of tools at your disposal. We've got a running list of Immortals tips and tricks outli??ning some of those special abilities, shields, and the game's handy whip (which also works for traversal).

[caption id="attachment_480063" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Blizzard[/caption]

Overwatch 2

I will go out on a limb and declare Overwatch 2 is one of the best FPS games you can play right now. It doesn't have the best support from its developers with?? dull events, but when you can talk about the general gameplay, few other games match it. This hero shooter has characters each with their own abilities that can change th??e state of battle.

Tracer can rewind time while Pharah can leap into the air and reign down rockets from above. Everyone has their role to play and like Battlefield 3, if each team member contributes, it can feel incredibly rewarding. The maps are well-designed with capture points that keep you on your toes too. While I think Blizzard has dropped the ball in recent years, I won't forget the incredible memories of playing Overwatch with my friends; that's why Overwatch 2 is on this list.

[caption id="attachment_480047" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Superhot Team[/caption]

SUPERHOT

Superhot is an incredible FPS, especially if you play the game in VR.? This post-modern graphical style is matched up with a unique gameplay system. Time stops when you are standing still, but when you move, your foes will move towards you and fire their weapons. You can shoot with a pistol, but there are other tools at your disposal you can grab, use, or throw like a sword or an assault rifle.

"It’s a shooter at heart, but Superhot brings something fresh and unexpected to the FPS genre," said our review. "It mixes thrilling, action-packed combat? with meticulous, precision planning,?? and somehow these opposing ideas are able to unfold simultaneously." This mix of a puzzle game with an FPS is a fantastic way to spend your weekend.

[caption id="attachment_480059" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via EA[/caption]

Titanfall 2

Before Apex Legends, there was Titanfall 2. This shooter has clever level design with??in its single player campaign and somehow manages you to care for this mech robot that assists you during battle. You can even get inside the mech and cause chaos below to your victims. There's wall-jumping, intriguing plat??forms to jump on top of like being in the middle of an apartment-making factory, and cool weapons to utilize throughout the campaign. The campaign is the star event for me, but others say the multiplayer is a fantastic time too.

[caption id="attachment_369891" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Riot Games[/caption]

Valorant

Last up is Valorant. It combines the fluidity of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and the ability-focused gameplay of Overwatch to create a triumphant FPS in and of itself. The maps are fantastically designed, and the weapons all feel great to control. It's heroes' abilities add further strategy to the original Counter-Strike-like formula as you create barr?iers with toxic gas,? resurrect fallen allies, and activate seismic charges to shake up the opponent's standing.

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The League of Legends developer is among the tech layoffs this week

Riot Games, the company behind games like League of Legends and Valorant, has laid off 46 employees. These cuts arrive in a week full of ?layoffs at companies across the video game and tech industry.

According to a report from journalist Jacob Wolf, the layoffs are largely focused on talent acquisition, recruiting departme??nts, and its publishing arm, though the esports and support units were also affected. The 46 layoffs account for less than one percent of Riot, which currently sits at over 4,500 worldwi??de employees.

In a statement to Wolf, Riot Games says ??it "implemented strategic shifts within a few teams to sharpen [its] focus in a number of areas??."

"With these shifts, certain roles ?were eliminated, impacting a total of 46 Rioters," said a Riot spokesperson in a statement to Wolf. "This is part of our normal course of our business: We periodically make changes to our structure and our teams based on what we believe will allow us to deliver the best content and experiences for players. We never make these decisions lightly and will always start from a place of wanting to retain Rioters and have them focus on our highest priorities. While that’s not always possible, it’s our primary goal."

Riot Games will continue to hire, with a number of available positions posted on its website.

Ongoing industry layoffs

These cuts arrive amidst a week full of industry layoffs, at many video game and tech companies. Microsoft recently confirmed it will be laying off 10,000 workers, with reports including cuts at Xbox studios like 343 Industries. Amazon has also initiated a round of job cuts that look to include around 18,000 people, and Google parent company Alphabet is cutting 12,000 jobs.

Vox Media is also laying off a chunk of its workforce, and Fandom has cut a number of roles as wel??l, ??including those at fellow media outlets GameSpot and Giant Bomb.

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The "extensive similarities" have Riot pushing for damages

Riot Games is suing over the similarities it's found in a NetEase game to its own Valorant. A new suit filed by Riot claims that NetEase's Hyper Front is a copy of the tactical shooter Valorant.

As reported on by Polygon, Riot has field suit over NetEase's Hyper Front, which is also a team-based tactical shooter. According to the filing, Riot claims Hyper Front is a copy of "substantial parts" of Valorant.

Valorant launched on PC in 2020, and Riot is currently developing a mobile version. Meanwhile, Hyper Front was released ??in 2022 for mobile ?platforms on iOS and Android.

In the suit, Riot lays out the similarities. It's not just the?? number of players, but Riot points ??directly at maps, character designs, weapons, and even the raw numbers from the weapons. There are actual spreadsheets in the filing, comparing the data.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRao6FARFRo

Rushing the point

Riot does note that NetEase made modific??ations t??o Hyper Front following the first complaints. However, the infringement goes further.

"All of our creative choices are mirrored in NetEase’s game," said Riot Games layer Dan Nabel to Polygon. "We don’t think that changing the col??or of a character ability or slightly modifying the visual ap??pearance changes the fact that it’s copyright infringement. It’s like that old saying, ‘You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.'"

Riot Games is seeking an injunction, which would likely essentially shut down Hyper Front, and "substantial", but unspecified, figures for damages. It's also litigating the claim in several courts around the wor??l??d.

"We don’t want to rely on one particular market to have this issue resolved," Nabel told Polygon??. "NetEase is a global publisher, as are we. We want them to know that we take the matter very seriously??."

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All champions, all agents, and more

Riot Games' library of competitive games is joining the ranks of Xbox Game Pass perks next week. League of Legends, Valorant, and more of Riot's catalog are getting Xbox Game Pa??ss benefits start?ing on December 12.

The collaboration was announced earlier this year, during the Xbox Bethesda Showcase in June. Riot Games, the studio behind big competitive titles like League and Valorant, would of??fer s?ome benefits for Xbox Game Pass owners, and they're pretty good ones too.

For League of Legends, a Game Pass subscription will net you all champions and access to new champions as they're released. Valorant is similar, with all agents unlocked for Pass users. Same goes for Wild Rift, the mobile League version, whose benefits will arrive in January.

Legends of Runeterra will have all cards in the Foundations Set unlocked. And for Teamfight Tactics, there are some cosmetics. Additionally, everyone who links their accounts before January 1, 2023 will get some? extra cosmetics.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRao6FARFRo

Linking the Legends

Services go live on December 12, next week. To link it up, you'll want to have the Xbox App installed and up-to-date on PC. There will be instructions to connect a Riot Account with an Xbox Game Pass account from there.

While a library of games to download or stream is already a big boon, this Riot x Game Pass collaboration is pretty big. Having access to every playable character in League of Legends and Valorant means a fair bit of either time or money.

With this, pla??yers wouldn't need to worry about ??saving up currency or grinding for a new character to play. We'll see what kind of effect it has. But as someone who's played a fair bit of Riot's games, I'm still surprised this deal is even happening.

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