riot games valorant where and how to download it its not on steam pc
Riot Games Valorant: Where and How to Download It (It’s Not on Steam PC)
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, you might have heard of Valorant, a popular game from Riot Games, the same developer behind League of Legends. But where can you download this game and how can you play it on your PC? And why is it not available on Steam, the most popular gaming platform for PC gamers? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so you can enjoy this exciting game without any hassle.
What is Valorant and why should you play it?
Valorant is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter that combines precise gunplay with unique agent abilities. It was released in June 2020 by Riot Games, after a successful closed beta period. Since then, it has attracted millions of players and viewers worldwide, becoming one of the most popular games in the genre.
Valorant is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter from Riot Games
In Valorant, you can choose from a roster of agents, each with their own personality, backstory, and special abilities. These abilities can be used to create opportunities, gain advantages, or counter enemies in various ways. However, they are not the main focus of the game. The core gameplay revolves around gunplay, which requires skill, accuracy, and strategy. You have to master different weapons, recoil patterns, spray control, aim, and movement to win.
The game mode in Valorant is called bomb defusal, where one team (attackers ) has to plant a bomb (spike) at one of the designated sites, while the other team (defenders) has to prevent them from doing so or defuse the bomb if planted. Each round lasts up to 100 seconds, and the first team to win 13 rounds wins the match. You can buy weapons, armor, and abilities at the start of each round, using the money you earn from kills, objectives, and outcomes.
Valorant features precise gunplay, unique agent abilities, and diverse maps
Valorant offers a variety of weapons to suit different playstyles and situations. You can choose from pistols, shotguns, SMGs, rifles, snipers, and heavy weapons, each with their own pros and cons. You can also customize your weapons with different skins, which change their appearance and sound effects. Some skins even have special animations and effects that make them stand out.
As mentioned earlier, each agent in Valorant has their own abilities, which can be divided into three categories: signature, basic, and ultimate. Signature abilities are free and recharge over time or after certain conditions are met. Basic abilities are bought at the start of each round and have limited charges. Ultimate abilities are the most powerful and require charging by killing enemies, planting or defusing the spike, or collecting orbs on the map.
The abilities in Valorant are designed to complement the gunplay and add more depth and strategy to the game. For example, some abilities can create smokes, flashes, walls, or traps to block vision or control areas. Some abilities can heal, revive, or buff allies or yourself. Some abilities can damage, stun, or debuff enemies or reveal their location. And some abilities can teleport, dash, or fly to gain mobility or surprise enemies.
Valorant also features a variety of maps, each with their own layout, theme, and unique elements. Some maps have ropes, zip lines, teleporters, or doors that can be used to move around or change the flow of the game. Some maps have different weather conditions, time of day, or environmental sounds that can affect the visibility or audibility of the game. Each map requires different tactics and strategies to master and win.
Valorant is free to play and has a competitive esports scene
One of the best things about Valorant is that it is free to play, meaning you don’t have to pay anything to download and play it. You can also unlock all the agents and weapons without spending any real money, by playing the game and completing missions and contracts. The only things that cost money are cosmetic items such as skins, sprays, banners, titles, cards, and buddies, which do not affect the gameplay at all.
Another great thing about Valorant is that it has a thriving esports scene, with tournaments and leagues organized by Riot Games and other third-party organizers. You can watch professional players compete for glory and prize money on various platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, or Valorant’s own website. You can also participate in ranked matches and climb the ladder from Iron to Radiant, or join custom games with your friends or other players.
If you are looking for a challenging, fun, and rewarding game to play on your PC, Valorant is definitely worth a try. But how do you download it? Let’s find out in the next section.
How to download Valorant from Riot Games website
The easiest way to download Valorant is from Riot Games’ own website. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Visit the official Valorant website and create a Riot account
The first thing you need to do is visit the official Valorant website. There you will see a button that says “Play Now”. Click on it and you will be redirected to a page where you can create a Riot account. A Riot account is required to play Valorant and other Riot Games titles such as League of Legends or Legends of Runeterra.
If you already have a Riot account from playing other Riot Games titles, you can skip this step and just log in with your existing account. If not, you will have to fill in some information such as your username, password, email address , and region. You will also have to agree to the terms of service and privacy policy. After that, you will receive a verification email to confirm your account. Click on the link in the email and you are good to go.
Download and install the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system
The next thing you need to do is download and install the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system. This is a software that Riot Games developed to prevent cheating and hacking in Valorant and ensure a fair and competitive environment for all players. You will not be able to play Valorant without installing this software.
To download and install the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system, you will have to click on the “Download” button on the Valorant website, after logging in with your Riot account. This will start the download of a small installer file, which you will have to run on your PC. The installer will then download and install the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system, as well as the Valorant game client, on your PC. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and PC specifications.
Once the installation is complete, you will have to restart your PC for the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system to take effect. You will also see a small icon of a shield in your system tray, indicating that the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system is running in the background. You can right-click on this icon to access some settings and options, such as disabling or uninstalling the software. However, if you disable or uninstall the software, you will not be able to play Valorant until you enable or reinstall it.
Launch the Valorant client and log in with your Riot account
The final thing you need to do is launch the Valorant client and log in with your Riot account. You can do this by clicking on the Valorant icon on your desktop or start menu, or by launching it from the Riot Games folder in your program files. The Valorant client will then open and ask you to log in with your Riot account credentials. Enter your username and password and click on “Sign In”.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed Valorant on your PC. You can now access the game’s main menu, where you can customize your settings, view your profile, browse the store, chat with friends, join a party, or start a match. Enjoy!
How to download Valorant from Epic Games Store
Another way to download Valorant is from Epic Games Store, a digital distribution platform for PC games owned by Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite. This option is only available for players in North America, Europe, Oceania, Japan, and Korea. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Visit the Epic Games Store website and create an Epic account
The first thing you need to do is visit the Epic Games Store website. There you will see a button that says “Sign In”. Click on it and you will be redirected to a page where you can create an Epic account. An Epic account is required to access the Epic Games Store and play games from it.
If you already have an Epic account from playing other Epic Games titles such as Fortnite or Rocket League, you can skip this step and just log in with your existing account. If not, you will have to fill in some information such as your display name, email address, password , and country. You will also have to agree to the terms of service and privacy policy. After that, you will receive a verification email to confirm your account. Click on the link in the email and you are good to go.
Download and install the Epic Games Launcher
The next thing you need to do is download and install the Epic Games Launcher. This is a software that allows you to access the Epic Games Store and play games from it. You will also need this software to play Valorant, even if you download it from the store.
To download and install the Epic Games Launcher, you will have to click on the “Get Epic Games” button on the top right corner of the Epic Games Store website. This will start the download of a small installer file, which you will have to run on your PC. The installer will then download and install the Epic Games Launcher on your PC. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and PC specifications.
Once the installation is complete, you will have to launch the Epic Games Launcher and log in with your Epic account. You will then see the main interface of the launcher, where you can browse the store, view your library, chat with friends, or access other features.
Search for Valorant in the store and click on Get
The next thing you need to do is search for Valorant in the store and click on Get. You can do this by typing “Valorant” in the search bar on the top left corner of the launcher, or by browsing the categories and genres on the left side of the launcher. You will then see the Valorant page, where you can see some information, screenshots, videos, and reviews of the game.
To download Valorant, you will have to click on the “Get” button on the right side of the page. This will add Valorant to your library and start the download process. You will also see a pop-up window that asks you to log in with your Riot account. This is required to play Valorant, as explained in the previous section. If you already have a Riot account, you can log in with it. If not, you can create one by following the steps in the previous section.
The download process may take some time depending on your internet speed and PC specifications. You can see the progress of the download on the bottom left corner of the launcher, or by clicking on “Library” and then “Downloads”. You can also pause or resume the download at any time by clicking on the buttons next to it.
Launch the game from the launcher and log in with your Riot account
The final thing you need to do is launch the game from the launcher and log in with your Riot account. You can do this by clicking on “Library” and then “Valorant”. You will then see a button that says “Launch”. Click on it and wait for the game to load. You may also have to agree to some terms and conditions before playing.
Once the game loads, you will have to log in with your Riot account credentials. Enter your username and password and click on “Sign In”. You may also have to verify your account with a code sent to your email or phone number.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed Valorant from Epic Games Store. You can now access the game’s main menu, where you can customize your settings, view your profile, browse the store, chat with friends, join a party, or start a match. Enjoy!
Why is Valorant not available on Steam PC?
Some of you may be wondering why Valorant is not available on Steam PC, the most popular and widely used gaming platform for PC gamers. Steam PC offers many benefits and features for gamers, such as a large library of games, cloud saves, achievements, trading cards, reviews, forums, workshops, and more. So why did Riot Games decide not to release Valorant on Steam PC?
The answer is not very clear, as Riot Games has not officially explained their reasoning behind this decision. However, based on some clues and speculations, we can infer some possible reasons why Valorant is not on Steam PC:
Riot Games has its own launcher and distribution platform for its games
One of the main reasons why Valorant is not on Steam PC is that Riot Games has its own launcher and distribution platform for its games. This means that Riot Games can directly distribute and update its games to its players, without relying on any third-party platforms or intermediaries. This gives Riot Games more freedom and flexibility to manage its games and provide the best experience for its players.
For example, Riot Games can control the frequency and size of its game updates, without having to follow any rules or limitations imposed by Steam or other platforms. Riot Games can also communicate with its players directly through its launcher or website, without having to go through any filters or moderators. Riot Games can also collect and analyze its player data more easily and accurately, without having to share it with anyone else.
Riot Games wants to have more control over its game updates and player data
Another possible reason why Valorant is not on Steam PC is that Riot Games wants to have more control over its game updates and player data. This is related to the previous point, but it also has some implications for the game’s quality and security.
For example, Riot Games can ensure that its game updates are consistent and compatible across all regions and platforms, without having to worry about any delays or discrepancies caused by Steam or other platforms. Riot Games can also ensure that its game updates are optimized and bug-free, without having to deal with any technical issues or conflicts caused by Steam or other platforms.
Moreover, Riot Games can protect its game and player data from any potential threats or breaches, without having to trust or depend on Steam or other platforms. Riot Games can also prevent any unauthorized or illegal activities such as cheating, hacking, or piracy, without having to rely on Steam or other platforms.
Riot Games does not want to share revenue with Steam or other third-party platforms
A final possible reason why Valorant is not on Steam PC is that Riot Games does not want to share revenue with Steam or other third-party platforms. This is a common reason why many developers and publishers choose to avoid Steam or other platforms, as they have to pay a certain percentage of their revenue to them as a fee for using their services.
For example, Steam typically takes a 30% cut of the revenue from every game sold on its platform. This means that if a game costs $10 on Steam, the developer or publisher only gets $7 from each sale. The rest goes to Steam. This may seem fair for some developers or publishers who benefit from the exposure and features that Steam provides, but it may not be worth it for others who have their own fan base and platform.
Riot Games is one of those developers who have their own fan base and platform. They have millions of loyal players who play their games such as League of Legends or Valorant regularly. They also have their own launcher and website where they can sell their games and cosmetic items directly to their players. They do not need Steam or other platforms to reach or attract their players. Therefore, they may prefer to keep all of their revenue for themselves, rather than share it with anyone else.
Can you play Valorant on Steam Deck?
Now that we have discussed why Valorant is not on Steam PC, let us talk about another related topic: Steam Deck. Steam Deck is a portable gaming device that was recently announced by Valve, the company behind Steam. It is expected to launch in late 2022 or early 2023. It runs on SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system that allows you to play games from your Steam library on the go.
Many gamers are excited about this device, as it promises to offer a console-like experience with the power and flexibility of a PC. However , some gamers are also wondering if they can play Valorant on Steam Deck, since it is not available on Steam PC. The answer is: no, you cannot play Valorant on Steam Deck. At least, not officially or easily. Here are the reasons why:
Valorant is officially incompatible with SteamOS due to its anti-cheat system
The main reason why Valorant is not playable on Steam Deck is that it is officially incompatible with SteamOS, the operating system that runs on Steam Deck. This is because of Valorant’s anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard, which we discussed earlier. Riot Vanguard is designed to work only on Windows-based systems, and it does not support Linux-based systems such as SteamOS.
This means that even if you somehow manage to download and install Valorant on Steam Deck, you will not be able to launch or play it, as Riot Vanguard will prevent it from running. You will also not be able to bypass or disable Riot Vanguard, as that will result in a ban from Valorant. Riot Games has stated that they have no plans to make Valorant compatible with Linux or SteamOS in the near future, as they prioritize other features and improvements for the game.
There are possible workarounds to run Valorant on Steam Deck, but they are not recommended or supported by Riot Games
Some gamers may argue that there are possible workarounds to run Valorant on Steam Deck, despite its incompatibility with SteamOS. For example, some gamers may suggest using a software called Proton, which is a tool that allows you to run Windows-based games on Linux-based systems. Proton is developed by Valve and integrated into Steam, and it works for many games that are not officially supported by SteamOS.
However, Proton does not work for Valorant, as it cannot bypass or emulate Riot Vanguard’s anti-cheat system. Even if you manage to launch Valorant with Proton, you will likely encounter errors, crashes, or bans. Proton is also not guaranteed to work for all games or all devices, and it may cause performance or compatibility issues.
Another possible workaround is to dual-boot your Steam Deck with Windows, which means installing Windows as a second operating system on your device, alongside SteamOS. This way, you can switch between the two operating systems whenever you want, and run Valorant on Windows. However, this workaround is also not recommended or supported by Riot Games or Valve, as it may void your warranty, damage your device, or cause other problems.
Dual-booting your Steam Deck with Windows may also require some technical skills and knowledge, as well as additional hardware and software. You may need to buy a Windows license, a larger storage device, and a USB drive. You may also need to follow some complex steps and instructions to partition your device, install Windows, and configure your settings. You may also lose some features or functionality of your Steam Deck when running Windows.
Therefore, these workarounds are not advisable or reliable for playing Valorant on Steam Deck. They may also violate the terms of service or privacy policy of Riot Games or Valve, and result in penalties or bans. The best way to play Valorant is still on a Windows-based PC.
What are the system requirements for Valorant?
If you want to play Valorant on your PC, you need to make sure that your PC meets the system requirements for the game. These are the minimum and recommended specifications that your PC needs to have in order to run the game smoothly and without any issues.
Valorant is known for having low minimum requirements but high recommended requirements for optimal performance. This means that you can play the game even on a low-end PC, but you may experience low FPS (frames per second), lag, stuttering , or crashes. To enjoy the game at its full potential, you may need a high-end PC, with better graphics, memory, and processing power.
Here is a table of the system requirements for Valorant, according to Riot Games’ official website:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | High-end | | — | — | — | — | | Operating System | Windows 7/8/10 64-bit | Windows 7/8/10 64-bit | Windows 7/8/10 64-bit | | Processor | Intel Core i3-370M | Intel Core i3-4150 | Intel Core i5-4460 | | Memory | 4 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM | | Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Nvidia GeForce GT 730 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | | Storage | 12 GB available space | 12 GB available space | 12 GB available space | | Internet | Broadband connection | Broadband connection | Broadband connection |
As you can see, the minimum requirements are quite low, and you can probably run the game on any modern PC or laptop. However, the recommended and high-end requirements are much higher, and you may need to upgrade your PC or buy a new one if you want to play the game at higher settings and resolutions.
Tips to improve your FPS and reduce lag in Valorant
If you are having trouble running Valorant on your PC, or you want to improve your FPS and reduce lag, here are some tips that may help you:
– Update your drivers: Make sure that your drivers are up to date, especially your graphics card driver. You can check for updates on your device manager or on the manufacturer’s website. Updating your drivers can improve your performance and fix some bugs or errors. – Lower your settings: You can lower your graphics settings in Valorant to reduce the load on your PC and increase your FPS. You can do this by going to the settings menu in the game and adjusting the video options. You can lower the resolution, texture quality, detail quality, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, material quality, and other settings. You can also turn off some effects such as shadows, bloom, distortion, vignette, and first person shadows. – Close background programs: You can close any unnecessary programs or applications that are running in the background on your PC. These programs can consume your CPU, memory, and bandwidth, and affect your performance and connection. You can use the task manager to see which programs are using the most resources and end them. You can also disable some startup programs that run automatically when you turn on your PC. – Use a wired connection: You can use a wired connection instead of a wireless connection to play Valorant online. A wired connection is more stable and reliable than a wireless connection, and it can reduce lag, ping, packet loss, and jitter. You can use an Ethernet cable to connect your PC to your router or modem directly. – Check your firewall and antivirus: You can check your firewall and antivirus settings to make sure that they are not blocking or interfering with Valorant or Riot Vanguard. You can add Valorant and Riot Vanguard to your firewall’s exception list or whitelist, or temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus while playing. However, be careful not to expose your PC to any security risks while doing so.
Conclusion
Valorant is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter from Riot Games that combines precise gunplay with unique agent abilities. It is free to play and has a competitive esports scene. You can download Valorant from Riot Games’ website or Epic Games Store, but not from Steam PC. This is because Riot Games has its own launcher and distribution platform for its games, wants to have more control over its game updates and player data, and does not want to share revenue with Steam or other third-party platforms. You cannot play Valorant on Steam Deck either, as it is incompatible with SteamOS due to its anti-cheat system. There are possible workarounds to run Valorant on Steam Deck, but they are not recommended or supported by Riot Games. To play Valorant on your PC, you need to meet the system requirements for the game, which are low for minimum but high for recommended or high-end. You can also follow some tips to improve your FPS and reduce lag in Valorant.
If you are interested in playing Valorant, you can download it today from Riot Games’ website or Epic Games Store. You will need a Riot account and a Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system to play it. You will also need a good PC and a stable internet connection to enjoy it.
Valorant is a fun and challenging game that will test your skills and strategy in every match. Whether you play solo or with your friends, you will have a blast playing Valorant. So what are you waiting for? Download and play Valorant today and join the millions of players who are already enjoying this game.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Valorant and their answers:
Is Valorant free to play?
Yes, Valorant is free to play. You don’t have to pay anything to download and play it. You can also unlock all the agents and weapons without spending any real money, by playing the game and completing missions and contracts. The only things that cost money are cosmetic items such as skins, sprays, banners, titles, cards, and buddies, which do not affect the gameplay at all.
Is Valorant cross-platform?
No, Valorant is not cross-platform. You can only play Valorant on PC, and you cannot play with or against players who are on other platforms such as consoles or mobile devices. Riot Games has stated that they are exploring the possibility of bringing Valorant to other platforms in the future, but they have not confirmed or announced anything yet.
How many agents are there in Valorant?
There are currently 16 agents in Valorant, each with their own personality, backstory, and special abilities. They are divided into four categories: duelist, initiator, controller, and sentinel. Duelists are aggressive and self-reliant agents who can create and finish fights. Initiators are agents who can set up fights and create opportunities for their team. Controllers are agents who can manipulate the map and control areas with their abilities. Sentinels are defensive and supportive agents who can protect their team and hold their ground.
How often does Valorant update?
Valorant updates regularly with new content, features, improvements, and fixes. Riot Games follows a patch cycle of two weeks, meaning that they release a new patch every two weeks. Each patch may include new agents, weapons, skins, maps, modes, events, balance changes, bug fixes, and more. Riot Games also communicates with the players through dev blogs, patch notes, social media posts, and videos.
How can I watch Valorant esports?
You can watch Valorant esports on various platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, or Valorant’s own website. You can watch professional players compete for glory and prize money in tournaments and leagues organized by Riot Games or other third-party organizers. You can also watch live streams or videos of your favorite players or teams on their own channels or pages.