VALORANT to switch to Unreal Engine 5 in the near future

At Unreal Fest 2024, Riot Games' SVP and Head of VALORANT Studios Anna Donlon delivered a captivating keynote that revealed VALORANT's journey and future plans. The tactical shooter is preparing for a significant upgrade: a transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5.

This shift marks an exciting evolution for the game and its community, promising a wealth of new possibilities. Here’s what this transition means for VALORANT and its future.

A Strong Foundation Built on Unreal Engine 4

Since its launch in 2020, VALORANT has been running on Unreal Engine 4, and Riot Games has squeezed “literally every ounce” out of the engine, according to Donlon. Despite not being a "graphics-forward" game, VALORANT has thrived on its precision, competitive integrity, and adaptability—features that the UE4 framework made possible.

VALORANT’s design philosophy was to focus on gameplay feel, player accessibility, and a level playing field, with anti-cheat systems, low-latency servers, and combating peeker’s advantage. These pillars of competitive integrity were crucial to the game's success, and the adaptability of UE4 gave Riot the flexibility to focus on player experience rather than engine constraints.

A major milestone was the shift to consoles, driven by player demand. Originally designed for PC, Unreal's built-in platform support enabled Riot to bring VALORANT to PlayStation and Xbox without compromising its core identity of precise gunplay and strategy. Today, millions play across platforms, with Riot maintaining their commitment to player experience.

VALORANT Console Xbox gameplay (Image Source: Riot Games)

The Move to Unreal Engine 5: A Strategic Upgrade

While VALORANT has flourished on UE4, Riot is preparing for the next phase of its evolution—making the jump to Unreal Engine 5. Donlon explained that this move is necessary, even though the shift won’t drastically change the game’s visuals or performance in the short term.

“Upgrading a live-service game is not easy,” Donlon noted, but UE5’s capabilities will allow Riot to stay ahead of the curve. The transition to UE5 is primarily about ensuring the game’s longevity and keeping the development team in a position to innovate rapidly. Riot’s developers are excited about the new tools and features available in UE5, even if they remain cautious about immediate changes.

Though Donlon stayed tight-lipped about future projects, she hinted that the Unreal Engine 5 upgrade could lead to new "playable experiences" within the VALORANT universe. While she couldn’t share specifics, the move to UE5 allows Riot to easily explore new possibilities for gameplay expansions and even entirely new experiences, potentially broadening the scope of what VALORANT can become in the coming years.

What UE5 Could Mean for Players

For players, the upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 could introduce improved optimizations and new features in the future, such as enhanced physics, lighting, or environmental details—though Donlon was quick to temper expectations for immediate, sweeping changes. The switch is more about setting up a future-proof foundation that will allow Riot to continue delivering a world-class tactical shooter while exploring new avenues for innovation.

As Riot Games moves forward with Unreal Engine 5, players can expect the same focus on competitive integrity, precision, and accessibility. What may come next—whether in the form of expansions or entirely new games—remains to be seen, but the flexibility of UE5 ensures that Riot is well-positioned for whatever the future holds.

Riot’s partnership with Epic Games and Unreal Engine is just getting started, and as Donlon closed her speech, she expressed her gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. Whether it’s in terms of technology, player experiences, or new game modes, Unreal Engine 5 promises to help VALORANT evolve in ways that players and developers alike are eager to explore.

A Future Built on Flexibility and Innovation

The switch from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 is a pivotal moment for VALORANT, but one that is more about laying the groundwork for the future than transforming the game overnight. With the adaptability and power of UE5, Riot Games is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of competitive shooters, while ensuring that their game remains a meaningful part of players’ lives for years to come.

Watch the full Unreal Fest 2024 keynote HERE.

To only watch Anna's part on VALORANT, click HERE.

There's still plenty of VALORANT action ahead in the OFF//SEASON. So, check in with Strafe to catch all of the latest VALORANT news.

Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games

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