Valorant released in 2020 and has grown through multiple Episodes and Acts that refreshed the game with new content, agents, and maps over time. The game’s journey started with a short beta period that quickly led into its full launch and the beginning of Episode 1.
Valorant Release Date
Valorant released globally as a free‑to‑play tactical shooter for Windows in early June 2020, following several years of development under the codename “Project A.” It launched through Riot’s own launcher (and later the Epic Games Store), then expanded to consoles in mid‑2024 while keeping PC as the core platform.
Riot Games Teased Valorant Release
Riot Games first teased Valorant in October 2019 under the codename “Project A” during their 10th anniversary celebration. The initial teaser showed gameplay footage featuring tactical 5v5 matches with character abilities. A more detailed gameplay trailer called “The Round” was released on March 1, 2020, on YouTube, showcasing the game’s core mechanics. The teasers were designed to build anticipation within the competitive FPS community and establish Valorant as an esports-ready title.
Valorant Beta Released Date
Closed beta began in early April 2020, giving players in selected regions a first look at Valorant ahead of launch. Access was limited and tied to watching partnered Twitch streams, which helped build hype and stress‑test servers and gameplay systems before release.
Valorant Official Release Date
Official launch happened in early June 2020, ending the closed beta and resetting accounts as Valorant opened to all players in supported regions. The release arrived with new content compared to beta, including an extra agent, a new map, and a battle pass to kick off the live service model.
Valorant Released Date in China
Valorant officially launched in China on July 12, 2023, over three years after the global release. The delay was primarily due to China’s strict video game approval process through the National Press and Publication Administration. Riot Games partnered with Tencent Games for distribution and had to meet specific regulatory requirements for foreign games entering the Chinese market.
Valorant for Console Released Date
Valorant launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on August 2, 2024, following a limited beta that started on June 14, 2024. The console versions include custom-built gameplay features and cross-progression with PC accounts. The game is not available on older generation consoles like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch due to hardware limitations.
When Was Valorant Mobile Released
Valorant Mobile officially launched in China on August 19, 2025, after extensive beta testing throughout 2024 and early 2025. The mobile version features 18 agents at launch, 10 game modes, and touch-optimized controls. A global release date for Valorant Mobile has not been announced, with the initial launch limited to China through Tencent’s distribution network.
When Did Valorant Episode 1 Came Out
Episode 1 started alongside the game’s full release in June 2020, marking the beginning of Valorant’s seasonal structure under the name “Ignition.” This first Episode was split into multiple Acts over several months, each bringing balance changes, new content drops, and ranked season progress.
When Did Valorant Episodes Came Out
Valorant’s Episodes rolled out regularly from 2020 onward, each broken into three Acts with their own start and end dates.
| Episode | Start date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: Ignition | June 2, 2020 | First Episode, launched with full release. |
| Episode 2 | January 12, 2021 | Introduced a new competitive year and systems. |
| Episode 3 | June 22, 2021 | Brought major balance and competitive updates. |
| Episode 4 | January 11, 2022 | Continued yearly cycle with new content. |
| Episode 5 | June 22, 2022 | Expanded map pool and meta shifts. |
| Episode 6 | January 10, 2023 | Started another yearly arc with new Acts. |
| Episode 7 | June 27, 2023 | Added more agents, skins, and systems. |
| Episode 8 | January 9, 2024 | Continued live updates into 2024. |
| Episode 9 | June 25, 2024 | Latest listed Episode with Act 1 start. |
Conclusion
Valorant released on June 2, 2020, for Windows PCs, after a closed beta that started on April 7, 2020. Episode 1: Ignition began the same day as launch, and subsequent Episodes 2 through 9 rolled out roughly every six months from January 12, 2021, through June 25, 2024, each split into three Acts with their own seasonal timelines.
