valorant ( stylized as valorant ) is a free - to - play first - person hero shooter developed and published by riot games, for microsoft windows. first teased under the codename project a in october 2 0 1 9, the game began a closed beta period with limited access on april 7, 2 0 2 0, followed by an official release on june 2, 2 0 2 0. the development of the game started in 2 0 1 4. valorant takes inspiration from the counter - strike series of tactical shooters, borrowing several mechanics such as the buy menu, spray patterns, and inaccuracy while moving.