Valorant's Unreal Engine 5 Upgrade Arrives July 29 — Ushering in a New Era

July 29 is shaping up to be a major milestone for Valorant fans, as Riot Games is set to roll out the long-awaited Unreal Engine 5 upgrade for its popular tactical hero-shooter. First teased months ago without a confirmed release date, the next-generation engine switch now has an official launch window — and it’s just around the corner.

A New Look for a New Generation

Since its debut in 2020, Valorant has become one of the most-played shooters on PC, combining tight, skill-based gunplay inspired by classics like Counter-Strike with a roster of unique agents, each with their own game-changing abilities. Over the years, Riot has steadily expanded the game with new maps, characters, anti-cheat tools, and competitive systems, all with an eye toward supporting a vibrant esports ecosystem.

Now, Valorant is preparing for one of its biggest leaps yet: a transition to Unreal Engine 5, which promises enhanced visuals, better performance, and smoother patching in the future.

Patch 11.02 Brings the Upgrade — Skipping 11.01 Entirely

In a blog post on Valorant’s official website, Riot developer Kenny “Karnifexlol” Cameron confirmed that the upcoming patch 11.02, scheduled for July 29, will include the full Unreal Engine 5 upgrade. To prepare for the shift, Riot is skipping patch 11.01 altogether. All game changes that were planned for 11.01 will be bundled into 11.02 alongside the engine overhaul.

The update is expected to be substantial in size, as it brings both technical enhancements and quality-of-life improvements — particularly around frame rate optimization and faster future downloads.

Riot’s Controversial Move Toward Betting Sponsorships

Alongside this major technical update, Riot Games has also stirred discussion within the community with its recent decision to permit betting-related sponsorships in both Valorant and League of Legends. The move, announced in June, is intended to support the financial sustainability of competitive teams and leagues while ensuring strict integrity guidelines are in place.

While the announcement drew mixed reactions, Riot emphasized that it’s aiming to provide clear boundaries for what these sponsorships can involve — and how they will be regulated across events.

Replay System Coming This September

Looking further ahead, Riot also confirmed a long-awaited feature is finally on the horizon: a full in-game replay system, set to launch in September. This tool will give players and analysts more control over reviewing matches — a valuable addition for both casual and competitive play.

2025: A Transformative Year for Valorant

With the Unreal Engine 5 update, controversial monetization decisions, and long-requested features on the way, 2025 is proving to be one of the most transformative years in Valorant’s history. While not every change has been met with universal praise, Riot’s ongoing commitment to evolving the game and listening to its community signals a bold new chapter for the tactical shooter.