Is League of Legends ACTUALLY Dying?

Summary

The video discusses concerns about League of Legends' future following a lackluster new season rollout and a disappointing season cinematic that received significant backlash. Despite Riot Games' focus on other projects like Valorant and an upcoming MMO, the community remains hopeful for a turnaround. Riot acknowledges the discontent and promises more communication about their commitment to League's future, hinting at a higher budget for 2023.

Takeaways

• 😕 League of Legends is not dying, but it's facing significant dissatisfaction from players.
• 🤦‍♂️ The rollout of the 2023 season was poorly communicated and handled, leaving players frustrated.
• 😒 Riot did not provide timely updates about the season start, with players learning about it through a single tweet from a Riot employee.
• 😬 The 2023 cinematic release was a major letdown, consisting of a simple camera flyover of Summoner's Rift, lacking the excitement of previous years.
• 😡 The cinematic received 156,000 dislikes within 24 hours, further fueling players' frustrations with Riot's handling of the game.
• 🎮 Players feel that Riot has been focusing more on creating skins than developing new game modes or meaningful content for League of Legends.
• 💸 Riot seems to be diverting resources from League to focus on other games like Valorant, an upcoming MMO, and a fighting game.
• 💭 Riot promises that they are still investing in League, but players are skeptical due to the lack of visible improvements.
• 🕹️ Players are especially upset about the absence of holiday events or new game modes, which used to be a regular part of League's updates.
• 🌟 Despite the issues, some fans still believe Riot may turn things around, especially with the promise of a higher budget for 2023.

Q & A

What is the current state of League of Legends according to the video?

League of Legends is not dying, but it is facing issues. While it still has a healthy player base, recent updates and the 2023 season rollout have disappointed players, leading to concerns about the game's future.

What was the main issue with the release of the 2023 season?

The 2023 season rollout was poorly communicated, with delays in announcing the season start date and a lackluster cinematic. Players were unhappy with the minimal updates and lack of communication from Riot Games.

What disappointed players about the 2023 season cinematic?

The 2023 season cinematic was a two-minute video showing a simple flythrough of Summoner's Rift, which felt like a downgrade compared to previous years' high-quality, action-packed trailers. This was particularly disappointing given the lack of other updates.

How did Riot Games respond to the backlash regarding the cinematic?

Riot Games acknowledged the disappointment in a five-tweet thread, explaining that there were 'unprecedented circumstances' that led to the simpler cinematic. They admitted it missed the mark and promised to communicate future plans more effectively.

Has Riot Games shifted its focus away from League of Legends to other projects?

Yes, it appears that Riot Games has been focusing more on its other projects, such as Valorant, Wild Rift, an upcoming MMO, and a fighting game. This shift in focus has contributed to the reduced investment in new content for League of Legends.

Why are players upset with the lack of new game modes in League of Legends?

Players are frustrated because Riot has released over 100 skins per year in 2021 and 2022 but has not introduced any new game modes or significant in-game experiences. Players miss the variety and fun that past events and game modes provided.

How has the player base of League of Legends been affected recently?

The player base remains strong, but there has been a slight decline in viewership and engagement during the preseason, which is a normal trend. However, the community's dissatisfaction with recent updates could impact long-term player engagement.

What has Riot Games promised in response to player feedback?

Riot Games has promised to invest more in League of Legends and communicate their plans better. They claim that League has a bright future and that the game will receive more resources, potentially turning things around in 2023.

What does the lead gameplay producer say about the future of League of Legends?

The lead gameplay producer assured players that League of Legends is not in 'maintenance mode' and that they are working on bigger projects that will take time to release. He emphasized that these projects are for League of Legends, not Riot's other games.

What are players hoping for in future League of Legends updates?

Players are hoping for more variety in the game, including new game modes, special events, and perhaps the return of the winter map. They want more than just skins and are asking for experiences that provide fun and excitement beyond the standard gameplay.