Valorant is transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, however do not maintain your breath for a right away graphical leap with the shift. As a substitute, this can be a “obligatory” change that would result in “new playable experiences” inside the Valorant universe, in accordance with Valorant studio head Anna Donlon at Riot.
Talking at Unreal Fest Seattle 2024, Donlon got here on stage to speak about Valorant and the way integral Unreal Engine has been for the hero shooter. She talked about that her staff has “squeezed actually each ounce of every part we may get out of UE4, so now we make the transfer to UE5.” Donlon is aware of that is powerful with a live-service sport, “however it’s obligatory, for positive.”
From there, Donlon dialed again participant expectations for a significant visible overhaul with the transfer to Unreal Engine 5. But that did not cease the studio head from teasing an growth of the Valorant universe.
“This improve shouldn’t be going to considerably change how Val appears to be like or performs, a minimum of not straight away,” Donlon mentioned. “But this is what I can say: There are lots of builders again at Riot who’re extremely grateful for what Unreal has allowed us to do for gamers. There are lots of builders again at Riot who’re very enthusiastic about what UE5 can do for us sooner or later.
“Possibly, these devs are engaged on one thing I can not discuss. Possibly these devs are eager about methods to develop the Val universe into new playable experiences.”
Moreover, Donlon credited Unreal Engine with the power to deliver Valorant to consoles earlier this yr. That is seemingly been successful, too, with the hero shooter exhibiting up as one of many most-played video games on PS5 and Xbox Sequence X|S.
In August, Valorant launched Vyse, a brand new agent that may make you employ a worse gun. Most of her skills revolve round beautiful enemies. For extra, take a look at GameSpot’s Valorant assessment.