Riot Games has made a significant change to the League of Legends ranked play experience with the release of Patch 14.15. Prior to this update, players were able to jump straight into ranked play once they reached the required level. However, Riot has now mandated that aspiring ranked competitors must first complete a set number of unranked matches on the classic Summoner’s Rift map before they can queue up for ranked games. This new requirement aims to ensure that players have a more comprehensive understanding of the game’s fundamentals before entering the higher-stakes ranked environment.
In addition to this new requirement, Riot Games is also addressing the issue of smurf accounts and account manipulation in the ranked queue. Experienced players creating new accounts to play at lower skill levels and dominate less skilled opponents can undermine the competitive nature of the queue. By implementing measures to place smurf accounts at a more appropriate skill level and cracking down on account selling and sharing, Riot hopes to create a more balanced and enjoyable ranked environment for all players.
These changes come at a crucial time for the League of Legends franchise as Riot Games continues to expand the IP with new projects. The updates to the ranked queue aim to strengthen the core competitive experience of the original game and create a more positive and rewarding experience for all competitors. While some players may initially view the new requirements as an unnecessary hurdle, Riot’s commitment to fostering a more informed and skilled ranked player base is a clear indication of their dedication to the continued growth and success of the League of Legends franchise.
As the League of Legends community navigates these changes, the impact on the competitive landscape and the overall health of the ranked mode will be closely monitored. The success of these changes will be measured not only in the immediate reactions of players but also in the long-term impact on the game’s competitive ecosystem. Ultimately, the new requirements for the ranked queue represent a bold and necessary step in the ongoing evolution of League of Legends, prioritizing fairness, skill, and the overall enjoyment of the player base.