Summary

• Valorant does not feature crossplay between its console and PC versions.
• PlayStation and Xbox players can play together via crossplay, but are separated from PC due to the input differences between controller and mouse and keyboard.
• Despite having no crossplay, the PC and console versions of Valorant will maintain content parity.

After years of establishing itself as a highly competitive PC title, Valorant has officially come to consoles. With heavy inspiration from Counter-Strike and a hefty dose of the hero shooter gameplay that first rose to major prominence via Overwatch, Valorant has carved out an interesting niche for itself, proving ever-popular since it was first released in 2020. Releasing on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S is a new frontier for the FPS, though, and it comes with the potential tribulations of implementing crossplay between platforms with wildly different input methods.

The Valorant console version has been in a series of open betas after it was first revealed at Summer Game Fest 2024, and was finally shadowdropped in full on August 2. The game has remained fully in the PC realm for good reason – the incredible precision required for high-level play in Valorant is typically regarded as something best suited for mouse and keyboard controls. CSGO attempted a PS3 and Xbox 360 port back in 2012, but it was ultimately unsuccessful, with CS2 abandoning the idea entirely. It remains to be seen if Valorant can find long-term success on consoles, but its crossplay strategy so far seems to recognize this inherent rift in platforms.

Valorant Does Not Include Crossplay Between Consoles & PC

Crossplay Is Enabled Between Xbox & PS5

Per the Valorant website's console FAQ page, Valorant does not crossplay between consoles and PC: "Players on console will be able to play with other players on consoles, so Xbox players will be able to play with PlayStation players. Console players will not be able to play with PC players." This is good news for anyone with friends in a different console ecosystem, but unfortunate for anyone that was hoping to play with their buddies already on PC.

Ultimately, no crossplay between the two is likely for the best. The mouse and keyboard versus controller auto aim debate is seemingly never-ending, and with a game that relies so heavily on competitive balance, combining the console and PC player pools would likely introduce a problem that's effectively impossible for Valorant to solve. With no crossplay between consoles and PC, each version of the game is an even playing field, which may help a competitive console scene flourish like it has on PC.

Valorant's Console Version Will Be Updated Concurrently With PC

Simultaneous Updates & New Content For All Platforms

Despite having no crossplay, Valorant's PC and console versions will be updated simultaneously to ensure content parity, according to new Agents come to Valorant, which are practically guaranteed to shake up the meta.

Despite the game's available features being the same across all platforms, there are some slight differences in mechanics on Xbox and PlayStation. A more traditional auto aim has been replaced by Focus, a reduction in camera sensitivity while console players are aiming near an enemy without looking down their weapon's sights. It's an interesting solution that will keep players' skill paramount, while hopefully making up for the lack of precision when using controller joysticks. Such changes likely contributed to the decision to disable crossplay between the PC and console versions of Valorant.

Sources: Valorant, The Verge