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League of Legends' 'classic' mode has a release date, and it isn't just an old version of the game—players will vote on new patches, Old School RuneScape-style
Riot Games has announced that League of Legends Classic will launch on July 29, featuring a blend of Season 3 mechanics, modernized art, and community-voted updates similar to Old School RuneScape. The mode will bring back old champion builds, runes, masteries, and summoner spells, with plans to add more classic champions over time.
League of Legends Classic isn't the launch experience, it's a "greatest hits" of the early years
Riot Games has detailed League of Legends Classic, describing it as a "greatest hits" collection of the game's early seasons, rather than a strict recreation of the 2009 launch. It will feature original champions, items, and gameplay design, launching on July 29 with content roughly around Season Three. Players will be able to influence its future development.
Am I growing out of live service games?
The author reflects on growing out of live service games, finding it increasingly difficult to re-engage with titles like Marvel Snap and Valorant after breaks due to constant updates and meta shifts. While acknowledging the appeal of thriving game ecosystems, the author now prefers more static multiplayer experiences like Counter-Strike 2.
League Classic might sound fun, but as a 15-year League of Legends veteran, I'm here to tell you: You want this…
A veteran League of Legends player expresses skepticism about the upcoming 'League of Legends Classic,' arguing that while nostalgia is a draw, the modern game is superior in design, balance, and player experience. The author highlights numerous past design flaws and contrasts them with current improvements, suggesting that a return to the past would not recapture the magic players remember.
Announcing Convergence Fest, A First-of-Its-Kind Celebration of Teamfight Tactics and Riftbound
Riot Games announced Convergence Fest, a new multi-day live event combining the Teamfight Tactics Vegas Open and the Riftbound North American Regional Championship. The event will take place in Las Vegas from December 11-13, 2026, and will feature competitive tournaments, developer panels, an Artist Alley, and exclusive merchandise. Tickets go on sale in August and September.
Why Players Are Re-Evaluating Value In Modern Video Games And Digital Platforms
Modern players evaluate video game value beyond the initial price, considering factors like playtime, updates, social features, and ongoing costs. This shift mirrors trends in other digital platforms, where users scrutinize terms, rewards, and overall experience before committing. Game mechanics like daily logins, progress bars, and leaderboards are increasingly used across various online services to drive engagement and user retention.
Here's our exclusive card reveal for Riftbound: Vendetta
Riot Games has revealed a new equipment card, Tools of Empire, for the upcoming Riftbound: Vendetta expansion of the League of Legends Trading Card Game. This 4-Energy Gear card can grant a unit +2 power on its own or +4 power when Empowered, a new mechanic that allows cards to gain abilities after a cost is paid. The expansion is set to release on July 31.
Masters at work: how Riot grew Valorant into its second global esport
Riot Games has successfully grown Valorant into a major global esport, second only to League of Legends, by focusing on community engagement and diversifying revenue streams beyond sponsorships. Bill Pan, Head of Product Strategy for Valorant Esports, highlights how in-game digital goods have been crucial for funding the esports ecosystem, allowing Riot to thrive despite broader industry challenges like an 'esports winter'. The company continuously adapts its content and distribution strategies to maintain relevance with evolving player bases and changing entertainment consumption habits.
VALORANT Game Changers EMEA Grand Finals Return to Istanbul for Third Consecutive Year | Invision Game
Riot Games announced that the VALORANT Game Changers EMEA Stage 3 Grand Finals will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, at the ESA Esports Arena on August 30. This marks the third consecutive year the city hosts the event, which will determine which teams qualify for the VALORANT Game Changers Championship. The venue will also host an official VCT EMEA watch party for the Stage 2 Finals.
Riot believes League of Legends 'mage bot' strats are "healthy diversity" and "need to be viable"
Riot Games has decided against planned Brand buffs for League of Legends patch 26.14 due to concerns about mage bot lane strategies, but maintains that this approach offers healthy diversity. Lead Gameplay Designer Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison explained that while frustrating for traditional marksmen, mages in the bot lane provide a necessary strategic option and prevent the game from becoming too formulaic.
Evening Esports and Competitions
Riot Games is reportedly close to achieving self-sustainability for its esports operations, according to a statement from the company. The firm behind League of Legends aims to make its competitive gaming ventures financially viable.
Riftbound: Vendetta Details Revealed; Rival Champion Legends And New Set Mechanics
Riot Games has revealed details for Riftbound: Vendetta, the fourth set for the League of Legends trading card game, set to release on July 31, 2026. The set introduces new mechanics like Unit-Gear and Decrees, alongside three new gameplay mechanics: Flow, Burn, and Empower. It will also feature rivalries between champions such as Shen and Zed, with special Showdown Decks available for two-player experiences.
Riftbound announces a proactive ban ahead of Set 4, with more ban updates on the way
Riftbound lead designer Dave Guskin announced that the card Stealthy Pursuer will be proactively banned in Set 4 due to an infinite combo. A full rules update and ban list will go live on July 24th alongside the Vendetta Pre-Rift. Riot Games is monitoring the card pool and willing to act before problematic combos become entrenched in tournament play.
Teamfight Tactics temporarily kills MacOS support, as Riot works on long term fix
Riot Games has temporarily removed MacOS support for Teamfight Tactics following patch 18.1, as they work on a long-term fix and transition away from Hextech for Unreal Engine. While the company assures players that account data and content will remain unaffected, Mac users will need to wait for a future update to regain access to the game on their platform.
Riftbound Vendetta Spoilers and card revealed through to release
Riot Games has begun the spoiler season for its upcoming card game expansion, Riftbound Vendetta, which runs from July 6th to July 18th. The reveal period introduces new mechanics like Flow, Burn, and Empower, alongside new card types such as Decree spells. The season kicked off with a comedic sketch featuring Kennen and Akali, and official blog posts detailing the new gameplay features.
"We can break even and be self-sustaining within Riot" – The firm behind League of Legends is "super close" to making esports sustainable
Riot Games' head of publishing and esports, John Needham, states that the company's esports business is very close to achieving profitability and self-sustainability. He attributes this progress to a shift in business model from sponsorships to digital items and increased revenue sharing with esports teams, alongside efforts to grow viewership and player engagement through various transmedia initiatives.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Riftbound Vendetta reveals Kennen as the Purple and Yellow Legend ahead of full preview season
Riot Games has begun revealing content for Riftbound Vendetta, confirming Kennen as the "Purple and Yellow Legend" and detailing the abilities of Akali. The reveals also showcased other cards like Nasus Ascended and Ocean Drake, with more information to be released throughout July.
Epic Games CEO says "Steam charges such high fees" that companies like Genshin Impact maker MiHoYo "find it more profitable to go it alone," fans remind him MiHoYo has multiple games on Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Steam's high fees make it more profitable for major companies like MiHoYo to distribute their games independently. This claim was met with a community note clarifying that MiHoYo has a growing presence on Steam, recently releasing Zenless Zone Zero and potentially planning a Steam launch for Genshin Impact.
The MOP Up: Sky Children of the Light creates an interactive Vincent van Gogh exhibit
Sky Children of the Light has launched an interactive exhibit inspired by the art and life of Vincent van Gogh. This article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Sea of Thieves, Marathon, Raven2, Skull and Bones, Riftbound, Enlisted, The First Descendant's Evangelion collaboration, and Disney Dreamlight Valley's upcoming Adventure Pack.