Valorant Gears Up for Unreal Engine 5 and Long-Awaited Replay System
Valorant, Riot Games' popular tactical shooter, is set to undergo a significant transformation with a move to Unreal Engine 5 and the introduction of a replay system. These upgrades promise improved performance and new strategic possibilities for players.
The switch to Unreal Engine 5, arriving with patch 11.02 at the end of July, is a pivotal moment. Valorant has been running on Unreal Engine 4 since its beta launch in 2020. Riot Games assures players that the engine upgrade shouldn't disrupt gameplay, maintaining the overall look and feel. However, the updated engine is expected to boost framerate performance and speed up patch downloads. Speculation is already rife about potential future improvements to character models and animations that this upgrade could unlock. Players logging in during patch 11.02 will receive a special gun buddy to commemorate the upgrade.
The second major update is the introduction of the replay system. Arriving on PC with patch 11.06 in September, followed by a console release later in the year, this feature will allow players to analyze their recently played competitive games. Riot plans to add more modes to the replay system later on. This system is anticipated to be a valuable tool, assisting players in reporting cheating or misconduct. It will also aid in improving individual gameplay through in-depth analysis of past matches. Riot showcased footage of the replay tools in action during the company’s latest dev update video.
In addition to the engine and replay system upgrades, Riot is addressing other community concerns. To combat smurfing, they plan to implement multi-factor authentication for accounts in suspicious cases and create a new reporting category for players abusing matchmaking systems. Patch 11.0 will also bring a new map to the game, available in competitive mode from day one, with reduced rank rating losses during the initial weeks to help players adapt. Riot wants to keep partnerships but bridge the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams with more opportunities for lower teams, as first teased by the Global Head of Valorant Esports on Reddit.
Furthermore, Riot wants a more flexible esports ecosystem with a wider variety of tournaments, formats, and more event locations globally. The publishers also want to “create more moments” by hosting more regional events, though they are happy with the current number of international tournaments. Pick’Ems are returning for all Masters and Champions events.
Valorant's evolution with Unreal Engine 5 and the replay system signifies a commitment to improving the player experience and competitive integrity. Will these changes be enough to solidify Valorant's position in the competitive shooter landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
