League of Legends: Riot Admits Mistakes in Rewards System Changes and Promises Fixes

The Issue with the New Rewards System

Riot Games has acknowledged a significant mistake in the recent changes to the rewards system in League of Legends. The updates, announced in November 2024, were intended to simplify the game’s reward structure by consolidating most rewards into the free track of the battle passes. However, these changes had unintended consequences that drastically slowed down player progression and champion unlocks.

The Problem with Blue Essence and Account XP

The new system failed to account for the First Win of the Day (FWotD) experience bonus, which is crucial for Blue Essence (BE) income. This oversight resulted in a more than 71% reduction in BE earn rates for highly engaged players. Similarly, the loss of FWotD experience affected account leveling, significantly slowing down the progression to level 30, a requirement for ranked play.

Player Feedback and Impact

Players, especially new ones, were severely impacted by these changes. It was estimated that a new player would need over a year to unlock enough champions and reach level 30 to participate in ranked matches. This feedback highlighted that the new system was not only complex but also detrimental to player progression.

Upcoming Fixes

To address these issues, Riot is implementing several fixes:

Increased Blue Essence Earn Rates

Starting with Patch 25.S1.2, the Blue Essence earn rates from the free battle pass track will be significantly increased. For example, the total BE from milestones will rise from 4,750 to 9,000, and repeatable Epilogue milestones will increase from 50 to 750 BE.

One-Time BE Mission

Since the Act 1 Pass is already live and some players have passed the BE milestones, a one-time easily completable mission will be introduced. This mission will grant players 4,250 BE to compensate for the missed rewards.

Account XP Boost

To ensure that players can reach level 30 and access ranked play at a similar pace as before, account XP earn rates will be increased by 40%.

Changes to Battle Pass Rewards

In addition to the fixes, Riot is making other changes to the battle pass rewards. The final Champion Capsule in the Pass will be upgraded to a Glorious Champion Capsule starting with the Act 2 Pass. This change aims to provide more valuable rewards to players.

Ranked Season Changes

For Season One 2025, there will be a single big reset at the start of the year, with no additional resets later. The requirements for earning Victorious skins are also being adjusted. Instead of needing to achieve Gold with 80 Summoner Points or grind out 1,000 SP below Gold, players will need to win 15 games of Ranked (solo/duo, flex, or a combination) in each thematic Season to earn the base Victorious skin.

Commitment to Player Experience

Riot’s commitment to improving the player experience is evident in these changes. The company acknowledges the frustration caused by the previous updates and is working to restore a more balanced and rewarding system. This includes ensuring that high-engagement players are not penalized and that new players can progress at a reasonable pace.

Broader Implications for Riot Games

These changes come at a time when Riot Games is undergoing significant internal adjustments. The company recently announced layoffs affecting over 500 employees and the closure of its third-party publishing label, Riot Forge. Despite these challenges, Riot remains committed to its core games, including League of Legends, VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, and Wild Rift. The focus on sustainability and cost management is crucial as the company navigates its future in the gaming industry.

Conclusion

Riot’s admission of mistakes and their swift action to correct them demonstrates a commitment to listening to player feedback and improving the game. As the fixes roll out, players can expect a more balanced and rewarding experience, aligning with the original intent of the rewards system changes. This proactive approach is a positive step towards maintaining a healthy and engaged player base.