League of Legends’ Latest Patch: Honoring Profits Over Players?
The Honor System Revamp: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
Hey there, Summoners!
Buckle up, because Riot Games just dropped the notes for Patch 25.04, and it’s stirring the pot in the League of Legends community. This time, the spotlight’s on the Honor system revamp—a change that seems less about fostering good vibes and more about squeezing players dry, yet again.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this update and see how it fits into Riot’s ongoing trend of prioritizing profits over player satisfaction.
From Steady Progression to Dynamic Evaluation
Previously, your Honor level in League was a steady climb over the season—play nice, don’t get penalized, and you’d reap the rewards.
A simple carrot and the stick type of motivation.
Now, Riot’s introducing a “dynamic evaluation” system that updates based on your recent behavior.
Sounds fancy, right?
But here’s the kicker: this change shifts the goalposts, making it harder to maintain higher Honor levels consistently. One salty game, and you could see your Honor plummet faster than a fed Rengar bushcamping a squishy ADC.
Removing the Honor Carrot
Remember those Honor Orbs and Capsules? The little goodies that made being a decent human on the Rift feel worthwhile?
Gone. Poof. Vanished.
In their place, we now have Battle Pass XP drops. So, instead of earning unique rewards, you’re funneled into grinding the Battle Pass—a system that’s already a thinly veiled cash grab.
And if you’re gunning for those exclusive Honor 5 skins like Three Honors Malzahar, Shen, and Akshan, you’ll need to be on your best behavior all year long. Slip up, and say goodbye to those coveted cosmetics.
Communication Privileges: Pay (or Behave) to Play
The new system also ties your Honor level to communication features.
At Honor 3, you’re granted basic chat functionalities. Climb higher, and you unlock perks like ally-targeted pings and flashy Honor recalls.
But dip below, and Riot slaps you with chat restrictions faster than you can type “/mute all.” It’s a system that dangles essential game features as treats, subtly nudging players toward spending more time (and money) to stay in Riot’s good graces.
A History of Profit-Driven Changes
This isn’t Riot’s first rodeo when it comes to making changes that seem more about fattening their wallets than enhancing player experience.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of their greatest hits!
1. The Blue Essence & Rune Rework (2017)
Back in 2017, Riot revamped the rune system and merged Influence Points (IP) into Blue Essence (BE).
On the surface, it looked like a quality-of-life improvement. But in reality, it resulted in players earning less currency overall, making it harder to unlock champions without opening their wallets.
The new system also introduced more expensive prestige skins and event passes, leading to accusations of Riot prioritizing monetization over player enjoyment.
2. Mythic Essence & Prestige Skins (2022)
Fast forward to 2022, and Riot replaced Prestige Points with Mythic Essence in the Hextech Crafting system. This change made it even tougher to obtain skins without shelling out real cash, emphasizing a fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) mentality.
The pricing and limited-time availability of Prestige skins led to community outcry, with players feeling like Riot was nickel-and-diming them at every turn.
3. Champion Price Hikes (2023)
In 2023, Riot adjusted the pricing structure for champions, making older but still popular champs more expensive.
This move was seen as a blatant attempt to push new players toward spending Riot Points (RP) instead of grinding for Blue Essence, effectively putting fan-favorite champions behind a paywall.
4. The Event Pass Monetization Shift (2023)
Riot revamped event passes to be pricier while offering fewer rewards, essentially turning them into glorified battle passes.
The change made it harder for casual players to earn skins or loot through gameplay, leading to criticism that Riot was milking the event system for every penny.
5. Skins Over Balance (Ongoing)
There’s a running joke in the community that when a champion gets a new skin, they suddenly become overpowered.
Coincidence? Many think not.
Riot has been accused of strategically buffing champions around the time they release new skins to boost sales, a practice players have dubbed “Skin-Driven Buffing.”
6. Removal of Game Modes (Clash, Nexus Blitz, Arena)
Riot has a history of removing or neglecting popular game modes, often citing “low engagement.” However, players believe it’s because these modes weren’t raking in enough cash.
The removal of Arena in 2023, despite a dedicated player base, was particularly controversial. If they ever try getting rid of ARAM, I think that would be enough to push me over the edge, never to be seen in the Rift again.
Speaking of which, if you’re looking for some tips to improve at ARAM, we’ve got a funderful guide you can check out.
7. Riot’s Push for Expensive Skin Lines (Prestige, Mythic, Ultimate Skins)
Riot continues to churn out higher-priced skins while reducing the number of free or earnable cosmetics.
Ultimate skins, once a premium experience, now come with a hefty price tag but lack the wow factor they once had.
The Bottom Line: Players as Cash Piñatas
Riot Games, once the darling of the gaming world, seems to have shifted its focus from player satisfaction to profit margins. With an estimated valuation of $21 billion and annual revenue of $1.5 billion in 2023, it’s baffling that a company of this magnitude feels the need to nickel-and-dime its player base.
The recent layoffs of 530 employees in January 2024, despite their massive earnings, further paint a picture of a company prioritizing profits over people.
Instead of viewing gamers as the pillars supporting their empire, Riot seems to see us as cash piñatas—beat us hard enough, and we’ll spill out more money for their “free-to-play” game.
But with new contenders like Marvel Rivals and other emerging titles nipping at their heels, Riot might want to rethink its strategy.
Alienating the very community that propelled them to success is a risky game, and if they don’t start playing nice, another MOBA might just swoop in to pick up the pieces.
In the end, while we’re all for supporting developers and ensuring the longevity of our favorite games, there’s a fine line between fair monetization and blatant cash grabs.
Here’s hoping Riot remembers what made League of Legends great in the first place: a passionate community and a commitment to player experience. Until then, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how these changes unfold.
Stay sharp, Summoners, and see you on the Rift!
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Kassadin
February 20, 2025
No honor among thieves
cccc
February 21, 2025
uninstalling after 15 years. riot can burn