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Making the case for strong (human) narrative editors
Industry professionals discussed the critical role of human editors in game narrative development at GDC Festival of Gaming. Speakers emphasized that AI cannot replicate the emotional consistency, human context, and nuanced understanding of errors that human editors provide, which are essential for refining game stories and ensuring player engagement.
League of Legends Patch 26.6 balances rising jungle picks and issues in the mid lane
Riot Games has released League of Legends Patch 26.6, focusing on rebalancing jungle picks and mid lane champions. The patch includes nerfs to Zaahen and Shen in the jungle, buffs for Lissandra and Olaf, and adjustments to items like Sunfire Aegis and Chempunk Chainsword to address itemization frustrations.
What Call of Duty's Toxicity Data Actually Reveals
Activision is publishing detailed community safety data for Call of Duty, showing a significant reduction in voice chat toxicity exposure and repeat offenders since implementing AI moderation tools like ToxMod. While the data indicates progress, the article highlights missing baseline numbers and regional breakdowns, and contrasts Activision's transparency with other industry players who publish little to no such information.
League of Legends EUW Servers Hit by Champion Select Issues
League of Legends players on the EU West (EUW) servers are experiencing widespread issues with champion select, preventing them from entering matches across all game modes. Riot Games has acknowledged the problem and is actively working on a fix.
From Fan to Developer: Hytale’s Community-First Hiring Approach
Hytale is adopting a unique hiring strategy by recruiting developers directly from its player community, prioritizing creators who have experience with modding and content creation. This approach aims to foster an agile team of builders and maintain a strong connection to player desires, potentially serving as a new model for talent acquisition in the game industry.
Riot Games’ Wild 2024: Record $434M Profit But $603M in Dividends to Tencent
Riot Games reported a record profit of $434 million in 2024, but paid out $603 million in dividends to shareholders, primarily Tencent, using cash reserves. This financial strength allows for continued investment in games like League of Legends and Valorant, as well as their respective esports scenes, despite broader industry challenges.
Tencent Games Showcases Tech Advancements Shaping Future Player Experience at GDC 2026
Tencent Games will present its technological advancements at GDC 2026, focusing on AI-powered tools for game creation, engine innovation, and player protection. The company will showcase solutions like VISVISE for 3D animation, MagicDawn for enhanced visuals, and ACE for anti-cheat systems. Tencent Games will also highlight its commitment to sustainable growth and talent development through various sessions and initiatives.
League Pro Naiyou Accused of Matchfixing as Teammate’s ‘I’m a Clown’ Post Rocks LPL
League of Legends player Naiyou is under investigation for matchfixing, with his teammate 369 seemingly confirming the allegations through a social media post. Fans have pointed to suspicious in-game decisions and item builds as evidence of Naiyou throwing matches, potentially impacting the LPL playoffs. The scandal raises concerns about the integrity of competitive League of Legends.
Least Toxic Online Games for Adults in 2026
This article discusses online multiplayer games that are less likely to expose players to toxic behavior, focusing on community culture, game structure, moderation, and anonymity. It highlights games like Deep Rock Galactic, Final Fantasy XIV, and Warframe as examples of well-designed environments that foster positive player interactions, while also advising on self-protection strategies applicable to any game.
LEC Spring Split Returns March 28 with New Best of 3 Format
The LEC Spring Split will resume on March 28 with a significant format change, moving all regular season games to a Best of 3 series. This shift aims to increase strategic depth and competitive integrity, aligning with other major regions like the LCK and LPL. However, Monday games will no longer feature live audiences due to logistical and cost considerations.
League of Legends Community Turns ‘Rell Chikita’ Into Viral Moment
A Reddit post containing the phrase 'Rell Chikita' unexpectedly became a viral moment within the League of Legends community, highlighting the player base's ability to create shared experiences and inside jokes. This phenomenon demonstrates how the community can generate its own entertainment and viral content, even for less popular champions like Rell, showcasing a positive and creative side beyond the game's competitive aspects.
86% of Creators Use AI, 85% of Gamers Hate It. Here's What That Means for You (2026)
A significant paradox exists in the gaming content landscape: 86% of creators utilize AI tools, while 85% of gamers express negative sentiments towards AI-generated content. This disparity impacts content consumption, with AI search results drastically reducing click-through rates for traditional content. While AI moderation is seen as a clear success in combating toxicity, creators are advised to use AI for backend tasks and maintain human authenticity to succeed.
2XKO is no longer in PlayStation 6 top downloads charts and nobody is remotely shocked
Riot Games' 2XKO has fallen off PlayStation's download charts, indicating lower-than-expected popularity for the 2v2 fighting game. Despite attempts to market it as a mainstream title and introduce expensive cosmetic skins, the game struggles to gain traction beyond the dedicated fighting game community, leading to layoffs and questions about its long-term viability.
VALORANT Crossplay Leak Splits Community Down the Middle
A leak suggests Riot Games is considering crossplay for VALORANT, dividing the community. Supporters believe it will expand the player base and allow friends to play together, while opponents worry about competitive integrity due to potential advantages for mouse and keyboard players over controller users. The implementation would require careful consideration of matchmaking and balance.
New Riftbound cards and legends appear online for the next 3 sets
Information has surfaced online regarding the next three sets for the collectible card game Riftbound, developed by Riot Games and UVS. Set 3, titled Unleashed, is expected to feature 8 legends including Vex, Vi, and Pyke, with a reveal date of March 16. Sets 4 and 5 are also teased with potential new legends and card art, expanding on existing champions and themes.
Riftbound: Vendetta and Radiance Details Previewed by Riot Games
Riot Games has previewed upcoming sets for their League of Legends card game, Riftbound: Vendetta and Riftbound: Radiance. Vendetta, releasing July 31, 2026, will introduce enemy faction pairings and over 160 cards, including nine new Champions. Radiance is set to release on October 23, 2026, with over 180 cards and its own Showdown deck.
Here Are The 12 Finalists For The World Video Game Hall Of Fame In 2026
The Strong Museum has revealed the 12 finalists for the 2026 World Video Game Hall of Fame, including first-time nominees like Silent Hill, Mega Man, and League of Legends, alongside returning candidates such as Angry Birds. The inductees will be announced on May 7, with a "Player's Choice" category allowing fan votes to influence one ballot.
US government reportedly debating whether to force Tencent to give up its US-based game holdings
The US government is reportedly considering forcing Tencent to divest its stakes in US and Finnish game companies due to national security concerns. Tencent holds significant shares in numerous major developers, raising fears of potential access to personal data of US citizens. This debate has been ongoing since 2020, with a recent meeting on the matter postponed.
Trump administration reportedly debating whether to force Riot Games owners Tencent to divest stakes in US game companies
The Trump administration is reportedly considering forcing Tencent, the Chinese owner of Riot Games and other major stakes in US game companies, to divest these investments. Concerns over national security and potential intelligence gathering are cited as reasons for the debate, which comes ahead of a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
League of Legends Patch 26.5 notes released with major balance changes
Riot Games has released Patch 26.5 for League of Legends, introducing balance changes and new cosmetic skins in preparation for the First Stand international tournament. The update focuses on refining the competitive meta without drastic shifts, with new skins for Maokai, Xerath, and Sona available now.
