Summary
Valorant’s continued success on PC is likely, at least in part, thanks to it being free-to-play. Live-service, or freemium, games have proven incredibly popular, and especially lucrative for developers and publishers that can produce a hit. The barrier of entry is incredibly low, only requiring the correct hardware, the F2P live-service games usually offer a variety of enticing ways for players to spend their money. It works especially well for online-only titles likeValorant, andRiot Games isn’t looking to change its approach with the PlayStation and Xbox versions.
The new console ports were firstrevealed at Summer Game Fest 2024, followed by a series of public beta tests, before finally surprise releasing on July 17, 2025.Valorantremained a PC exclusive through its first four years, as its tactical gameplay is generally best experienced with mouse and keyboard controls. In a similar school asCounter-Strike,Valorant’s gunplay was often considered an ill match for the relative imprecision of controller joysticks. A few tweaks have broughtValorantwholesale to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, though, including its free-to-play monetization model.
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Valorant Is Free-To-Play On PS5 & Xbox
Microtransactions Are Included
Valorantis free to play on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, as evidenced by the game’s listings on thePlayStation Storeand theXboxmarketplace. This does not discount the console ports from having in-game purchases, however.Valorant’s premium currency is known as Valorant Points (VP), which are purchased with real money and used to unlock cosmetic items, including weapon skins.Valorantalso takes advantage of the popular Battle Pass system, the premium track of which is typically unlocked for 1,000 VP (roughly equivalent to $10).
According toThe Verge,Valorant’s console versions will have content parity with PC, meaning the same premium content will be available on PS5 and Xbox.
Playing Valorant Online Does Not Require Game Pass Or PlayStation Plus
F2P Games Have An Exemption From Subscription Requirements
With consoles locking their users into proprietary online ecosystems, both PlayStation and Xbox require a subscription to use the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, respectively, for online play. All threetiers of PlayStation Plusand Xbox Game Pass grant access to online play, but both console lines have an exemption for free-to-play titles.Valorantwill therefore not require PS Plus nor Game Pass to play online, according to theValorantwebsite’s FAQ page regarding consoles.
This keeps the barrier of entry in line with PC, only requiring players to have sufficient hardware and an internet connection. In general, the console ports ofValorantdiffer very little from their PC counterpart. Gameplay mechanics remain largely intact, with the only difference being a clever substitute for auto aim, known as Focus. Focus decreases sensitivity while hip-firing when aiming near an enemy, intending to increase precision without the need to ADS. This may help secureValorant’s as yet uncertain future on PlayStation and Xbox, though continuing as a free-to-play title will certainly help attract new players.
Sources:PlayStation Store,Xbox,The Verge,Valorant
Valorant
In this first-person online hero shooter, players choose from one of 24 heroes to battle it out in online matches. Each hero has unique abilities, and each one is based on a unique country or culture from around the world.
