Statistical Probability VS League of Legends
This game was, at one time, very challenging. It was dynamic, shifting, ever changing, and admittedly a great deal of fun. As I have watched over these past years it has shifted from this, to a statistical algorithm that most players have simply come to recognize at a glance, without realizing it. While such things as Win Rate and such honestly do not matter, at least not as much as people give them credit for, the odds of your win or loss, the time frame, and almost exactly HOW you will win or lose is predictable.
For about a month now, on this account, I have wandered into games and called an end. Nothing extremely specific, just a Time Table and Win or Loss. Thus far I am at 89% as far as prediction, and this is with a +-3m 13s margin for error.
This is not meant to show off any form of knowledge, or skill, that I have that others lack. This is not a boast. This is a plea for help from the RIOT Design Team. The game that required tactics, strategy, skill, and a bit of luck has thus far been streamlined into a predictable course. When one plays enough you know the ranges, abilities, damage growth, etc of all champions available. You know when and where to move, what to avoid, and what to simply ignore as it will not result in your death.
This has made tower dives guaranteed. This has made Team Fights so predictable that many either avoid them, or force them early in a desperate attempt to shift the odds... generally to no avail, as certain teams will invariably dominate other teams. Even in ARAM it has become a simple question of a glance at the load screen (often people assume Meta Comps will win immediately, however ARAM doesn't work that way - that is a separate issue.), a quick look to see what item they started with on the enemy team, and then 15 minutes of boredom as you await the outcome.
This does not mean feed, or just go AFK, because the odds are not 100% accurate. You still play hard, and try to see where it goes... but if you already know you've won, or you already know you've lost, the FUN of the dynamic nature the game used to have is gone.
- Champions have become better, or worse, versions of each other.
- Itemization has become routine to the point you don't even have to look.
- Summoner Skills are things people use often the same two every match.
- Initiations on Teams are invariably the same, dependant on champions.
- Picks/Bans are decided before the first patches of a season.
- Nothing Ever Changes.
The Meta Changes. The ability for any AD Champion to hit you for 1000 burst came with Duskblade for example. You shift tactics, very slightly, and continue to play. Matches are basically static to the point that it's just become 'another match.' It's grinding, basically, which explains why most consider Ranked the only real play... every season players Grind up their points to get placed on a tier... they do it again next year.