Senior Riot Devs Say the League of Legends Player Base is Getting Old
It's a common problem in long-running live service games: how do you onboard new players into something as complex as League of Legends? Riot Games recently addressed this issue, revealing that the player base of LoL is indeed aging, with fewer new players jumping in. Here's a deep dive into the current situation and Riot's plans to adapt.
The Aging Player Base
For many, League of Legends has always been a young people’s game. The fast-paced esports focus, meta K-pop tie-ins, and connections to streaming and influencer culture boosted its popularity among younger gamers. However, time doesn’t stop for anyone, and those who started playing a decade ago have naturally aged.
Game director Pu Liu acknowledged in a recent Q&A at the Summer Game Fest that "it's certainly true that our audience is aging up," but he emphasized that "it's not inherently a bad thing." Retaining players over the years means that the average age of the player base will increase. The problem now is that LoL isn't attracting new players as effectively as it used to.
How to Attract New Players
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Liu pointed out that the gaming landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade, as have gamers’ expectations. League of Legends is no longer the hottest topic among gamers, facing stiff competition from games like Roblox and Fortnite. Additionally, issues such as "smurf" accounts—experienced players creating new accounts to play against less skilled opponents—are deterring new players. The game's growing complexity, similar to other long-running live-service games like Destiny and World of Warcraft, also presents a barrier to newcomers. |
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Gamers' Preferences
Andrei van Roon, head of League Studio, highlighted another aspect of the changing player base: shifting preferences in game modes. When LoL first launched, most players engaged in normal games to learn and enjoy the experience. Over time, there was a significant shift towards ranked competitive play, especially among high school and college students. This trend has evolved as players age, with many now seeking a balance between competitive and more relaxed gameplay. Van Roon explained:
"Now for some of our audience—especially those that now have jobs or kids or whatever—we're seeing some more shift towards: Hey, I want to be competitive some of the time, and I want other experiences as well.”
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Is League of Legends Dying?In response to these shifts, Riot Games is working to broaden League of Legends' repertoire of modes to cater to diverse player preferences. This approach aims to boost player engagement by offering a variety of experiences that appeal to both competitive and casual players. Riot's goal is to create an environment where players can enjoy the game regardless of their life stage or gaming style. Van Roon’s insights align with the experiences of many long-time players who have returned to LoL seeking a more relaxed, nostalgic experience, reminiscent of the Twisted Treeline map, URF, or even the ARAM game mode. |
In reply to this demand, Riot Games will be releasing a PVE Vampire Survivors style game mode for LoL in 2024. Riot’s commitment to adapting the game to meet the needs of its evolving player base is a great step toward sustaining LoL’s popularity.
The League of Legends player base is undeniably aging, and attracting new players has become more challenging in a crowded gaming market. Riot Games recognizes these issues and is taking steps to boost the game’s popularity among younger players by diversifying game modes and addressing the barriers that new players may face. By catering to both long-time fans and potential newcomers, Riot wants to ensure that LoL remains a staple in the gaming industry for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on League of Legends and the gaming world.
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