Riot Games
Riot Games business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
New TFT patch brings back encounters, and it looks like reroll meta is here to stay
The latest Teamfight Tactics patch, 17.2, introduces new lobby modifiers called encounters and five new augments, aiming to add variety to Set 17. The patch also adjusts the game's economy by reducing gold income and reworks the Timebreaker trait to require three units for rerolls. Several units like Viktor and Vex have been nerfed, while others such as Lulu and Maokai received buffs, potentially shifting the meta towards reroll strategies and stabilizing Level 8 boards.
LoL’s new Season 2 kicks off with Deathfire Touch, Stormraider’s Surge, and massive system overhaul
Riot Games has launched Season 2 of 2026 for League of Legends with Patch 26.9, reintroducing Deathfire Touch and Stormraider's Surge while removing Phase Rush. The update includes new starting items, a reworked Statikk Shiv, and a complete overhaul of Role Quests to reduce laning penalties and encourage roaming. Several champions have also received balance changes to accommodate new item and rune synergies.
Quinn Finally Gets PROJECT Skin Treatment in League of Legends | HappyGamer
Quinn is receiving a new PROJECT skin in League of Legends, a highly anticipated cosmetic for the champion. While many players are excited about the futuristic design and updated abilities, some question why Quinn was chosen over other champions who have waited longer for premium skins. The release date is not yet confirmed but is expected within the next few months.
League of Legends Patch 26.9 Drops With Latest Champion Balance Changes | HappyGamer
League of Legends Patch 26.9 has been released, introducing new champion balance changes that are already being discussed by the community. The patch aims to keep the game fresh through regular adjustments, though it acknowledges the difficulty in pleasing all players with its extensive roster and diverse player base.
Best Android Card Games – Updated!
This guide highlights the best card games available on Android devices, ranging from traditional TCGs to unique indie titles. Featured games include Balatro, Magic the Gathering: Arena, GWENT, Slay The Spire, Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, Legends of Runeterra, and more, each offering distinct gameplay experiences for mobile players.
New Valorant update brings ranked to Skirmish, and introduces the Kuronami 2.0 collection for skin aficionados
Riot Games is introducing a ranked queue to Valorant's Skirmish mode, named Skirmish: Ascension, with a limited agent roster and weapon selection. The update also brings the Kuronami 2.0 skin collection, featuring new looks for the Ghost, Guardian, Operator, and Phantom, along with a transforming melee weapon. Additionally, a new battlepass with cosmetic items will be available.
VALORANT Kuronami Collection returns with transforming Kunai/Katana melee, priced at 9,500 VP
Riot Games is re-releasing the Kuronami skin collection for VALORANT on April 29, 2026, coinciding with the launch of Season 2026 Act 3. The collection includes weapon skins for the Phantom, Operator, Ghost, and Guardian, along with a unique transforming Kunai/Katana melee weapon. The full bundle is priced at 9,500 VP and features custom animations and an interactive finisher.
SKIRMISH: ASCENSION ARRIVES IN VALORANT SEASON 2026 // ACT 3
Riot Games has announced Skirmish: Ascension, a new mode for VALORANT launching with Season 2026 // Act 3 on April 29, 2026. This mode features a curated Agent pool with limited abilities, staged weapons, and a competitive ladder with 1v1 and 2v2 queues. The update also includes the new Kuronami Collection and an all-new Battlepass.
You can now play League of Legends with a steering wheel
A content creator known as 'Dumbs' has successfully implemented a steering wheel for playing League of Legends, following the introduction of WASD controls in a recent patch. This setup required 12 hours of troubleshooting and allows for surprisingly smooth gameplay, opening up possibilities for creative control schemes in the popular MOBA.
New League Player Discovers Why Yasuo Remains Fan Favorite | HappyGamer
A new League of Legends player has discovered the appeal of the champion Yasuo, highlighting his fun-to-play mechanics and flashy abilities. The article discusses why Yasuo remains a fan favorite despite his controversial nature, attributing his popularity to his accessible yet deep kit that appeals to both new and veteran players. This phenomenon reflects Riot Games' design philosophy of creating engaging characters for a broad player base.
Riot Dev Reveals the Story Behind Gwen's Invincibility and Why Wild Rift Has Features PC Can't Handle | HappyGamer
Riot Games developer Endstep discussed the narrative philosophy behind League of Legends champion design, explaining Gwen's W invulnerability as a character-driven choice rather than purely balance. He also detailed how technical limitations in PC League of Legends prevent features like Zilean's missile speed manipulation, which is present in Wild Rift, highlighting the growing divergence between game versions.
LCS Import Crisis: Korea Has More Players Than US and Canada Combined
The LCS is facing an import crisis, with South Korean players now outnumbering North American talent in the league. This trend is attributed to organizations prioritizing veteran imports for larger paychecks over developing local talent, leading to a decline in regional competitiveness and identity. The article calls for stricter import rules and a greater focus on nurturing homegrown players to revitalize the North American League of Legends scene.
Is Valorant Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Valorant exhibits high rates of player harassment, particularly through voice chat, with 79% of players reporting such experiences in 2021. Despite this, Riot Games has implemented sophisticated voice moderation systems and strict enforcement measures, leading to a higher community safety score than raw harassment data might suggest. The article analyzes the structural reasons for toxicity, Riot's mitigation efforts, and suggests strategies for players to reduce their exposure.
Massively Overthinking: Do you try to deinfluence fellow gamers from any MMOs?
The Massively Overthinking column discusses whether writers and commenters intentionally try to deinfluence fellow gamers from playing certain MMORPGs. While some acknowledge the power of their platform to warn about issues like early access scams or unsuitable content for children, most aim for informative, nuanced criticism rather than outright dissuasion, prioritizing constructive feedback and avoiding negativity.
Gamescom Dev 2026 announces first speakers and sessions
Gamescom Dev has announced the initial speakers and sessions for its upcoming conference in August, featuring over 50 confirmed speakers from prominent studios like Sucker Punch Productions, Compulsion Games, and Riot Games. The event, formerly known as Devcom Developer Conference, will host around 220 sessions and has seen a record number of exhibitor registrations.
League of Legends booster puts out post offering "10k per month." Riot absolutely cooks them
Riot Games' Director of Product, Drew Levin, has publicly addressed and threatened to ban a League of Legends booster advertising high monthly earnings. The booster, known as 'Little Peter,' was offering significant sums for players to reach high ranks, but Levin quickly identified and responded to the post, indicating that such activities are against Riot's terms of service and will result in account bans.
Bind Gets Benched as Ascent Returns to Valorant Ranked
Valorant is rotating maps in its competitive play with Act 3, removing Bind from the ranked pool and bringing back Ascent. This change significantly alters team strategies, favoring different agent compositions and playstyles. Riot Games aims to keep the competitive meta fresh and prevent stagnation through regular map rotations.
Costreaming Controversy Hits Popular League of Legends Show Mind the Gap
A controversy surrounding costreaming in League of Legends has sparked debate within the community, particularly affecting the analyst show Mind the Gap featuring Vedi and Jatt. The discussion centers on how costreaming impacts original content creators by potentially diverting viewership and engagement, raising questions about sustainability within the esports ecosystem.
LCS Pros Show How To Kill Dragon Without Touching It
Professional League of Legends players from the LCS have discovered a strategy to defeat the in-game dragon objective without directly attacking it, showcasing advanced game mechanics and team coordination. This innovative tactic, highlighted in the MISSING PING series, could significantly alter dragon control strategies in competitive play and potentially influence the game's meta, though Riot Games may intervene if it proves too powerful.
45+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Big Games Big Deals Sale
The PlayStation Store is currently hosting its Big Games Big Deals sale, featuring thousands of discounted PS5 and PS4 titles until May 6, 2026. The article highlights a curated selection of recommended games, many of which are at their lowest-ever prices.