This game is impressive

Spacesuit Spiff·Apr 6, 2017·119 votes·3,928 views

Genuinely. We enjoy it despite the fact that just hopping into a game with randoms is a ridiculous way to play it, let alone to play ranked. I play through my day off, hit that point in the middle of the afternoon where it goes from "your team is playing to win" to "your team is playing to escape the game asap while blaming each other", and keep playing regardless. Idk if it's masochism or what, but I think it's very interesting to acknowledge that this game is compelling enough for us to put up with that dumb stuff. Meanwhile my steam library is full of incredible games that I just don't get around to playing. So as easy as it is to bash League, let's take a whimsical moment to reflect that we still enjoy it despite the plentiful reasons not to.

64 Comments

JarvansWARApr 6, 201735 votes

Must be the mushroom juice.

Kled's onto something here...

StandgroundingApr 6, 20171 votes

Teemo mushroom?

YalathanilApr 6, 20171 votes

Where did you think Kled gets his 'shroom juice?

StandgroundingApr 7, 20171 votes

is he immune to poisen effects?

zero356Apr 6, 201716 votes

You don't reach 100 millions monthly active accounts without doing something right I don't know what it is, but I will say this. If anyone ever asks me what the best game ever is, LOL has to be in the running (not necessarily winning) solely for the statement above.

If I had to answer why -Riot still focuses on the game. Even if they do a shit job sometime, they are focused on a game, not money -Speaking of money, FREE TO PLAY. That's huge, and Riot was one of the first to do it successfully. -The game itself is good, there are just a few issues

Which is the last point. My biggest complaint against Riot in general is taking too long to do things and ignoring player feed back. Taking however long to admit the Fiora rework was bad/ way to much is a good example.

But when the biggest complaint is speed in reacting to the community, you're doing pretty good.

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 201710 votes

I think a big reason that reacting to community speed is hindered, is that it's really hard to get a definitive answer on what the community wants. The Boards is a rather limited voice, a vocal minority, and while we shouldn't ignore it, it also shouldn't be the sole source of community feedback. I've taken about 10-12 survey's from Riot, which ask a lot about some general things (happiness with content, general improvement and where), while also asking more specific questions (How the Lunar Event felt, Hextech system, etc).

Skins ProjectApr 6, 20175 votes

Lul.

Salty boards members downvoting u for saying that they're opinions ain't majority.

Plez.

MILLIONS OF PLAYERS VS

boards..

Which is a few thousand at most.

zero356Apr 6, 20174 votes

Fair enough, which actually speaks to a problem I didn't talk about before

Pride. Another reason they're generally slow is that they generally refuse to admit even the possibility that they may be wrong. See Malzahar (and Zyra) who have basically been kicked out of mid lane and Riot's just like "nope, our updates were totally a good idea." Or Morde in general. Or, on a personal note, Sona. Basically a mini-Ryze with yearly buffs/slight changes ... that are quickly nerfed because they refuse to take the time to actually make a good, more balanceable champion (and the final question on that is whether I'm still just talking about Sona).

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 20172 votes

Malzahar and Morde are on the same note: People who they didn't feel were healthy pre-update. While New Malz/Morde may have a dozen other problems, they don't have the big stemming issues they had before. (Uninteractivity being a big one)

Zyra, on the other hand, they tried to bring her back mid. Her mage update was meant to try and bring her back, but once again, she was deemed very oppressive, so she's back to Support like she was pre-update. Although I'll keep playing her mid regardless, they tried to get Zyra back to Mid, but it just didn't work out. That for me, is good enough.

Until Sona gets more urgency for herself and other players fighting her, she's going to continue in her tortured state. For a final reminder, I'd like to point out the difference between getting something wrong, and not hitting the spot, but it's in the right direction.

Sexy Jack RabbitApr 6, 20174 votes

I think what his general point was, is that Riot in general can be pretty stubborn in their choices. Whilst at times it is for better, there are times where it simply takes too long for things to be reverted/nerfed/buffed etc.

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 20172 votes

Yeah, they're slow, but they're slow to us on the outside. What we see on PBE is normally already a finished product of what came from lots of internal testing. Sometimes those internal tests don't work out, and so they never hit PBE.

And the main reason they don't revert, is because even if it's not as good as intended, it's still in the right direction. Kog'Maw, the famous revert, ended up not being so, and was reverted as such. They don't revert buffs, because normally it just puts them back where they were, or they feel that it's better for X ability to be stronger than Y ability in the long run.

zero356Apr 7, 20171 votes

Kind of the point But even in changing and refixing takes way to long for some of this stuff. Again, Fiora and Rework GP taking so long to be nerfed is a good example

AMYS GRAVEApr 6, 20172 votes

You don't reach 100 millions monthly active accounts without doing something right I don't know what it is, but I will say this. If anyone ever asks me what the best game ever is, LOL has to be in the running

I mean that statement means lol has quantity not necessarily quality.

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 20172 votes

But you don't get Quanity without quality. A million people aren't going to buy a shitty product.

AMYS GRAVEApr 6, 20172 votes

Happens every day with fast food.

Another example would be movies. Finding Dory, Batman v. Superman, and Suicide Squad were all in the top 10 grossing films of 2016, that doesn't mean they were the best movies ever. To even compare them to the likes of casablanca, schindlers list, citezen kane, etc... is just wrong. I would say the same thing about league in comparison to super mario bros, Zelda oot, shadow of the collosus, etc....

League is to video games what The Transformers is to movies. People keep coming back, often without being able to explain exactly why. Popular is not the same as quality, even if it brings in the bank.

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 20174 votes

But those are still good movies when it comes to production ~~save suicide squad~~. They're not some C-rated movie that just barely understands Film, they have great camera work, reasonable plots, pacing, acting, voice acting, whatever combination. We watch movies that settle an urge in us, whether to see Robots punching each other, you're DC fan, or love Feel Good movies.

If a game is shitty, let's look at some of the famous Steam Greenlight asset flip games, it shows and people won't buy it. Same goes for shitty movies ~~looking at you Ghostbusters reboot~~. While people may still go see it, they do it for their own reasons, but those reasons are normally niche/very exclusive. You don't get a game with millions of players without having a good wide-spread appeal that attracts a variety of players.

AMYS GRAVEApr 6, 20171 votes

I'm not saying that league is some C-rated game, just that its not on par with the greats.

I would argue that when discussions of games like oot come up we always talk about dungeon design, how to incorporate time travel into the game, how to use hardware to the fullest, etc... why the game is great. When a conversation comes up about league it always seems to inevitably turn into either balance problems or player behaviour problems.

The same thing happens when we look at the movies i listed. The conversation surrounding those films trend toward their problems instead of their success, and that seems like a necessary (but not sufficient) condition to classify it along side the greats.

Automated RivenApr 6, 20171 votes

Idk. I love having conversations about different champions and team comps. Strengths and weaknesses of said things. Items and so on. I rarely feel as tho a champion is so far op (release Camille is an exception) that I must ban them. I just ban Darius every game cause I hate playing him. And what I found to be the best conversation I have ever had about this game happened 3-4 weeks ago, when I was talking about a play bot some friends of mine had had.

AMYS GRAVEApr 7, 20171 votes

Yeah, those are the best conversations, but that's not how most conversations (perhaps your mileage may vary) seem to go.

Automated RivenApr 8, 20171 votes

find people who like to discuss it with you?? shrugs

Glory ln DeathApr 6, 20172 votes

One of the problems with your analysis is that you're comparing very different games - you're putting a PvP MOBA up against singleplayer story-based adventure games. Those are extremely different categories - one is a series of short battles against real people that focuses on skill and intense action, while the other is a longer, story-driven adventure that focuses on creating a world and story that draw you in and lead to a conclusion. Comparing games across that border is like comparing Dungeons and Dragons to pinball.

AMYS GRAVEApr 7, 20171 votes

I am comparing different games but the post was putting league as the best game ever, so it should need to stand up in comparison to those games. Point taken though.

zero356Apr 7, 20171 votes

Generally true But it doesn't happen to the extent that a single game surpasses literally everything else by this much just because it's free and kind of ok.

Lux Is Mai WaifuApr 6, 201710 votes

Addiction does not equal quality. Crack isn't a fantastic thing because people always want more.

MrryZApr 6, 20176 votes

Wait, it isn't? Damn I've been doing this all wrong...

Papa AndreiApr 6, 20177 votes

https://img.memesuper.com/1cbfa0df5173e000e010eb1a192d6bc1_meme-hes-right-you-know-meme-hes-right-you-know_800-598.jpeg

LiungLindwurmApr 6, 20176 votes

League is like one of the few games that challenges you and gives you the sensation of improvement. . .

MarshbouyApr 6, 20174 votes

I agree a lot with this post. Summed up my thoughts about this well.

blueberrypancakeApr 6, 20174 votes

Yeah I have a hard time playing in long sessions before getting eventually tilted if not bored. I think that League came around to populatiry when their weren't many other high caliber ranked experiences (kappa no kappa), especially among strategy games other than Starcraft, and some people just don't like that gameplay. I have relatively little desire to play as I'm getting back into TF2

Shuyin178Apr 6, 20174 votes

It's our inner gamers.

No matter how frustrating a game is, if we are doing bad (losing matches, not being bad ourselves) our inner gamer's blood boils and is determined to keep playing in an attempt to win. I've been gaming for a little over 20 years now and can say as a fact this exists and is the reason most of us in the community haven't left yet.

vOmvbrawfUApr 6, 20172 votes

Can't stop playing after a win because I'm getting good teams. Can't stop playing after a loss because I have to make up for it.

TuffnarApr 6, 20171 votes

Inner gamer sounds really cringe, i think its more of a, inner dopamine human reward system. Or inner human works too.

Shuyin178Apr 7, 20171 votes

Inner dopamine human reward system is more cringe and makes you sound like a drug addict.

ExcusemeFellowsApr 7, 20171 votes

Tbf, most medical terms have that effect.

TuffnarApr 8, 20171 votes

Because dopamine is a drug? And we sorta have to be addicted to it for it to work.

ChønklordApr 6, 20174 votes

League is like an abusive relationship; when you're together sometimes you can't stand the sight of each other. But then there's that one moment... That little spark, and you remember why you fell for them in the first place.

Then comes the great sex -- I.e. You're playing ranked, having a blast wrecking and trying new kinky builds, maybe find some hot sexy champion together here or there (wink wink nudge nudge) -- it's so wonderful the time flies.

Then comes the abuse. And wow is it bad; the constant yelling and fighting and screaming -- "YOU DID WHAT TO MALZAHAR? HOW DARE YOU! YOU NEVER LOVED ME!" -- but then you grudgingly makeup, until the next time. You always tell yourself "Nahhh they care about me. We're in love. League would never go behind my back and NERF someone else (again)."

But they do. And sometimes they want to buff a whole bunch of champs at the same time; as if you'd ever be ok with something as disgusting as that! But you need them -- it's like crack; you keep telling yourself maybe, just maybe they'll change. They'll be better; after all, they always tell you how sexy you look with that new skin you bought, and they give you presents often at the end of the year.

And just like that you're hooked again; the vicious cycle continues.

GorgiolioApr 6, 20174 votes

People enjoy things like Heroin despite the plentiful reasons not to. Food for thought.

AFilthyCaitMainApr 6, 20173 votes

I love this post.

ModAcademy KaynApr 6, 20173 votes

Wholly agree here. And though it's true to most games, I love hopping on the Boards/into Games and just seeing people's names. I smile and remember the Calvin and Hobbes comics I read car ride through car ride. I see Lisa references, other Overwatch players who luckily snagged their name. I see 'X' is so HOT and chuckle, or the dedicated main names.

And though I dislike how opposition arguments are villanized, I love people's varying opinions, and how others are willing to stand and argue their point (though a lack of manners dull that for me).

Cryo00Apr 6, 20173 votes

Riot's good points recently.

Story, champion creation and skin design team are on fucking point. All the new champions released so far are fun to play and have amazing back stories which I love to read. Skin lineup is fantastic as well.
Free to play, can run properly even on potatoes.
NO CHESTS FOR SKINS !!! Holy shit this is such a huge thing. The fact that Riot allows you to just purchase whatever skin you want is a godsend after rolling chests in Smite and DOTA. I guess you can make the argument for Hextech skins, but I personally dislike all of them so far.
Active with the community.
As much as people give them shit for, I think balancing is more or less fine.

The only issue that I personally have is balancing on new champions. Many of them are over powered on release (Ivern, Camille (especially her), Jhin, Aurelion Sol)

Also, I keep coming back to the game every time they release a new skin series that I like. Skins OP.

robotgameApr 6, 20171 votes

Dota2 chests arent the only option, i bought 4 full items sets on steam market for 4 heroes for less than 3$ and they look just as good as a 750 rp skin. Unless you want the EXTREAMTLY flashy item sets for dota, damn they get expensive like the purple black for Invoker going for ~70$

AnidanApr 6, 20171 votes

Sweet Christ that Dark Artistry Invoker set looks good though. Too rich for my blood, but man it's a looker.

But yeah, in DotA2 chests aren't even close to the only option for people. Steam Marketplace exists for a reason. Some people will inevitably buy the chests to get the cosmetics they want quickly before they're on sale on the market, but they tend to sell their excess for everyone else and to recoup some of their cost. Aside from that, you can also mix and match cosmetics to create a more unique look if you're so inclined, which you can't really do in League. It's not huge, but it's still more possible variety to your hero's look than "exactly the same as anyone else who has this."

robotgameApr 6, 20172 votes

haha yeah im always drooling over Pipe of Dezun cosmetic item for Dazzzle. but as you said its not really a huge deal, atleast the cosmetic part isent. gameplay and game client is where its at

the weeabooApr 6, 20173 votes

But is it enjoyment or addiction?

Bye ChildhoodApr 6, 20172 votes

Indeed League of Legends is a very successful game. Riot is doing a great job. After all LOL is 7 years old already and still maintains an enormous playerbase. You hear thousands of complains on the huge playerbase.

I think the most important think that Riot do right is: everything that affects gameplay is available for free (IP): Champions, Runes, Masteries. Most online games fail because they eventually force players to 'pay to win'. While for LOL, you can become the best player in the world without using skins (Faker). This attracts more casual players and some eventually devotes to paid stuff like skins and summoner icons.

Other successful reasons include wide variety of champions and aesthetic matters. And team games naturally introduce more new players to play with friends.

I do think the most important problem in LOL is the lack of maps. It is understandable Riot bases balancing on Summoner's Rift and does a great job on balancing. But the lack of diversity of maps makes the game a bit boring after long times.

KairoptraApr 6, 20172 votes

You see? This is what we need more of in the community: positive attitudes and an appreciation for the game while acknowledging the problems. +1

General Esdeath Apr 7, 20171 votes

It's more of an addiction. "I've spent enough time I'm almost [insert desired rank] I may as well go for it."

It's a completion thing humans have, which is why if you leave 1 pringle left you'll feel the urge to eat it.

Doctor FillgoodApr 7, 20171 votes

[{quoted}](name=Spacesuit Spiff,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=pgJAWPbU,comment-id=,timestamp=2017-04-06T00:42:52.241+0000)

Genuinely. We enjoy it despite the fact that just hopping into a game with randoms is a ridiculous way to play it, let alone to play ranked. I play through my day off, hit that point in the middle of the afternoon where it goes from "your team is playing to win" to "your team is playing to escape the game asap while blaming each other", and keep playing regardless. Idk if it's masochism or what, but I think it's very interesting to acknowledge that this game is compelling enough for us to put up with that dumb stuff. Meanwhile my steam library is full of incredible games that I just don't get around to playing. So as easy as it is to bash League, let's take a whimsical moment to reflect that we still enjoy it despite the plentiful reasons not to.

No other MOBA's around atm outside DOTA really... Also, like any hobby, it's hard to give up. People want something to take the place of a hobby when they give one up.
Time has been invested into the game. People don't want to feel as if their time has been wasted. Trolls have an overall penalty free way of being trolly. Get banne? Make a new account and start over again.

They used to be fantastic, and have had good ideas...but then they kinda went off in the woods and had a bit too much mushroom juice and started caring about the same way Kled cares about his team mates from the way it feels.

KoggyStyleApr 7, 20171 votes

know whats wrong with league? Banelings, fk those things i cant right click fast enough to kite those.

Marmalade SkiesApr 7, 20171 votes

my steam library is full of incredible games that I just don't get around to playing

Actually its full of shit games that seem good because "it was only $3". And you never realize how shit they are because you never play them more then once.

League is great and all, but I dont see the point of making a thread just to jerk off riot.