If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the next major update for Valorant, you may need to hold off just a little longer. Riot Games has officially confirmed that Patch 11.01 is being skipped, and instead, the next update players will receive will be Patch 11.02 on July 29, 2025. This decision is tied directly to Valorant’s ambitious and game-defining transition to Unreal Engine 5 – a shift that could reshape the experience for millions of players worldwide.

Extended Content Gap Ahead as Riot Prioritizes Technical Overhaul

Valorant’s most recent update, dropping on June 24, introduced the new Corrode map and the Face Guard Bundle. However, with Riot entering a short summer hiatus and redirecting its engineering resources, developers have now confirmed that there will be no new update until July 29.

That makes for over a month without a patch – a rarity in Valorant’s live-service history. Despite the long wait, the decision reflects Riot’s focus on ensuring a smooth and polished rollout of Patch 11.02, which will serve as the foundation for the game’s migration from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 (UE5).

Temporary Store Refresh: Rupture Bundle Incoming

To bridge the gap until 11.02, the in-game store is set to cycle out the Face Guard Bundle in 10 days. Replacing it will be the Rupture Bundle, a select-tier cosmetic line designed to be more budget-friendly than premium sets.

While it may not offer the visual flair of high-end bundles, Rupture serves as a small yet thoughtful addition during this period of limited content and adds a bit of freshness for dedicated players.

Riot Developer’s Candid Note on the Delay

Kenny, a member of the Valorant dev team, addressed the community directly with a short update posted to the patch notes page:

“Yesterday is when we’d normally put out a new patch, but in order to prepare for the upcoming UE5 update, we are skipping patch 11.01 and making any changes scheduled for this patch with 11.02 coming July 29th. Just wanted to let you all know. So that’s it. Those are the patch notes. See you in a couple of weeks.”

What to Expect with Valorant Running on Unreal Engine 5

The upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 marks a pivotal moment for Valorant, as Riot looks to enhance the game’s performance, improve visuals, and future-proof the platform for the long term. While some specifics are still under wraps, players can expect the following improvements once Patch 11.02 launches:

  • Improved Optimization: Increased framerate consistency and better performance across a range of PCs, including low-end devices.
  • Smoother Patch Deployments: UE5 supports more efficient content delivery, potentially reducing download times for future updates.
  • Enhanced Visual Elements: While Riot aims to maintain the clarity needed for competition, technologies like Lumen and Nanite could bring subtle yet impactful visual upgrades over time.
  • Scalability and Longevity: Unreal Engine 5 offers Riot a modern toolkit to expand Valorant’s capabilities for years to come, opening doors for more ambitious content down the line.

Community content creator Keltsu is planning to test the game post-patch on a low-end laptop with integrated graphics, providing valuable feedback on how UE5 impacts performance across the hardware spectrum.

Abyss Joins Competitive Map Pool in Unique Reveal

In one of Riot’s more unorthodox announcements, the updated map pool was revealed by humorously tossing printed map names into a swimming pool. The highlight? Abyss enters the rotation, while Icebox takes a step back.

The community’s reaction has been notably positive, with many players lauding this as the most well-rounded and balanced competitive map pool to date.

As Valorant prepares to take its next evolutionary step with Unreal Engine 5, players are in for both short-term adjustments and long-term potential. While the temporary content lull may test player patience, the upgrade promises to build a stronger foundation for performance, visuals, and innovation. In the meantime, players can explore new bundles, compete on Corrode, and get ready to experience Valorant like never before on July 29.

For more Valorant news, guides, and updates, stay locked to AllValorant.gg

Source: Keltsu on YouTube

FAQ – Your Patch 11.02 and UE5 Transition Questions Answered

When is the next Valorant patch releasing?

Patch 11.02 is officially scheduled to release on July 29, 2025. Riot is skipping Patch 11.01 to focus on the Unreal Engine 5 upgrade.

Why is Patch 11.01 being skipped?

This is a strategic move by Riot Games to allocate all development efforts toward finalizing the transition to Unreal Engine 5. Skipping a patch provides the extra bandwidth necessary for testing and optimization.

What is included in Patch 11.02?

The update will officially debut Unreal Engine 5 for Valorant. While not heavily focused on content on day one, players can expect performance upgrades, visual refinements, and foundational improvements designed to boost innovation over time.

Will there be any new content during the long update gap?

Yes. The Rupture Bundle, a select-tier weapon skin set, will become available shortly before Patch 11.02 to provide fresh in-game cosmetic content ahead of the major update.

What’s changing in the map pool?

Abyss will be added to the active rotation, while Icebox is rotating out. Many competitive players are praising this as one of the better-balanced map updates in recent cycles.

Is the game still going to work on low-end PCs after the UE5 upgrade?

Early indications suggest yes. Community figure Keltsu has hinted at testing the new version on low-spec systems, and Riot has repeatedly emphasized their commitment to maintaining performance across all supported hardware tiers.

Source: Valorant Patch 11.01 Skipped as Riot Prepares for Unreal Engine 5 Update