Idea: How about a smaller rift?

Syrio Forel·Dec 15, 2015·2 votes·501 views

I love league for many things, but keeping time commitments around the expected length of the game is one point where I feel some lacking. Of course you could play an ARAM, but that really doesn't capture the thrill of a 5v5 on summoners rift. So what would your thoughts be on a smaller scaled map for summoner rift, like for example removing one turret and decreasing the space between camps in the jungle, this would ensure a much quicker game time I imagine. This smaller game paired with a shorter game length could provide a fun way to spend 20 minutes. What is everyone's thoughts?

tl;dr -Smaller map for quicker matches so that you don't have to leave due to work/time commitments.

4 Comments

OnimarusDec 15, 20151 votes

The game is already becoming quicker and more snowbally. If you can't spare 40 minutes (max) don't play a match.

Syrio ForelDec 15, 20151 votes

I am not at ends at the status quo, I'm not saying this is something that should be there at all, just seeing what people think about the idea. but i agree there are 40 and even twenty minute matches, but its that 60 minute amazingly even games which are the most fun. By having to surrender due to real life time constraints where you are required somewhere, exp if you've got work in an hour and want to play a normal, you miss out on the possibility of having a really amazing game.

UtilityPunkDec 15, 20151 votes

I'd say 40 min is fine for an action-strategy game like League. Shorter than a hockey game. Shorter than many other sports, actually. Chess can take hours to finish and I rarely finish chess before 30 min (though it can be 'paused'). Maybe a 5 min intermission after 20 minutes (lol, maybe not). When I used to play tcgs, matches often took 40 min. A game I used to play called Fantasy Earth: Zero had 45 min matches quite often.

I'd say the 30-40 minute mark is perfect. It gives enough time for there to be more to the game than simply 'zerg rush mid to win'. A comparable game in level of strategy, World of Tanks doesn't allow revives. Matches are generally shorter, being 10-20 minutes, however, they are much more snowbally. The tables in that game almost never turn once one team has taken the advantage.

League gives enough time for strategy to develop without spiralling into endless poking. If it were shorter, the first team to lose a tower would be at a much greater disadvantage and there'd be less emphasis on actual strategy and more on meta. There is a 3v3 map to play which speeds it up a bit if need be.

League would be a different game if matches averaged 20 min. Part of the reason matches take so long is that stalling the opponent is a valid tactic. I agree though, it can be tough to fit an hour-long commitment into a busy schedule.

EDIT: Having re-read your post. The one part that bothers me is that you're playing league close enough to when you work that you have to leave a match.

km1hDec 16, 20151 votes

With the season 6 coming games are usually coming to an end around 20 minutes. Since preseason made snowballing really easy, games are really short. Also I feel that shorter games means less fun. Like I said earlier shorter games are caused because a lane snowballed hard. This makes the game less fun for the losing team. I personally don't like shorter games. Longer games means that both teams are sort of equal, plus it gives the team that lost early to have a comeback, resulting in a funner game.