Man, it sucks I'm not allowed to watch any replays from the previous patch...

Forbidden Siren·5/17/2017, 12:13:32 PM·29 votes·1,617 views

I played a game around 11pm last night and it was a really good game. I decided to wait to watch the replay sometime today as it was very late. However, I completely forgot about the new patch update today, making any previous replays disabled or gone. Which is kind of upsetting.

What was the reason for this again? It just sucks that there's no way for me to watch my replay from last night, let alone it was the day before the new patch.

[zombie-nunu-bummed]

25 Comments

Salron5/17/2017, 12:24:20 PM15 votes

The game essentially recreates the event of the match using the game files The game files are changed each patch, meaning you cannot recreate that exact same match without the necessary files because you're on a new patch

TimX24968B5/17/2017, 6:43:09 PM3 votes

this sounds like an old story back when people would have issues with brawl, smash 4, and other games with replay systems, and my guess is, its the same story here.

League replays just saves all the inputs from that game on both teams, not actual footage (the file size would be monstrous if they did something like store 45 minutes of up to 1080p footage, on average), and then simulates the whole game with those inputs. when you record, THEN you get footage. but when you update the game and change numbers and abilities, things no longer line up, and then you get a replay that isn't the actual replay, or that ends up being insanely buggy.

Colgate Gator5/17/2017, 2:56:48 PM1 votes

I assume that it has something to do with that the replay file being basically an executable for the game, the files get mismatched because they get new stuff in and whatnot.

But I'm only speculating, I actually would like to know the official reason the replays go poof after a patch update.

TwitchInMyPants5/17/2017, 6:45:39 PM1 votes

Basically the replay is built from files on that current patch, so if there's even a tiny balance update if they let you download unrestricted it'd prob bug/crash. Replays are created through the spectator system basically. There's games with more consistent replays like Heroes of the Storm but their alternative is probably worse. In order to make sure the replay works any patch the file is a little larger and it writes it as you play, and its so dedicated to making that replay accurate if you d/c and reconnect it makes you wait on the replay before you can resume playing.

Some of the most non-intrusive replays that were consistent were in Starcraft, though that was a 2D game so the file size was really small even if it compensated for the patch.

AmazoX5/17/2017, 7:23:46 PM1 votes

As much as this sucks, At least you had a CHANCE, Before you couldn't save replay's unless you are using 3rd party programs like skin-spotlight or baron-replays.

ReySolomon5/17/2017, 8:08:28 PM1 votes

Same here I had my 1st PENTAKILL as Swain but i'll always remember it

Carnerox5/18/2017, 11:11:30 AM1 votes

Plays.tv might be a better suit for you. The replay system is nice but plays.tv is better around patch time.

e46 Fanatic5/17/2017, 12:22:58 PM1 votes

It was to teach you late replayers a lesson. jk, rip.

MillyNotMiley5/18/2017, 4:59:26 PM1 votes

Maybe they could prompt you to update or you could have a setting where you decide whether to automatically update or not. Like you could delay the new patch on your client; be unable to play any new games, but watch any replays from that patch.

Or there could be a reminder that there's a new patch coming soon, in the same fashion as e--sports notifications.

YokoNomi5/17/2017, 2:53:01 PM1 votes

I've had to resort to lolreplay under circumstances such as this for former sessions as well. It's the best recommendation I can make.