Riot catering to High Elo or Casual Players?

Posted on at 12:05 PM by Moobeat


Summoner Yondaimee asks the tough questions and is man enough to endure the answers. He recently channeled the power of the @Riot and asked which player base the game is balanced more around, the High ELO players or casual blokes. Dancemaster Phreak quickly crowstormed in and let loose a Dark Wind of answers.
"Here's what I understand about our philosophy. I may have inaccuracies in here, but I'm fairly confident I'm mostly right

We ideally balance for top-level play. This means nerfing champions like Janna, Cho'Gath, and Gragas despite massive forum outcry about how we're "ruining all tanks/support/whatever."

However, as we pride ourselves on League of Legends having broad appeal, we try to make sure the game isn't aggravating for everyone else. Not everyone is pro, and most people don't even want to be pro. This means that even though Evelynn 3 months ago wasn't going to be a first-pick-or-ban champion for the IEM invitational, we're going to nerf her because the other 99.99999% of players really don't want to play against Evelynn every game."

- Phreak, Community Coordinator, via the official forums.

46 comments

  1. Body1March 30, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Interesting post BRO!!!

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  2. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    love games taht focuses on high end players, i might check this one out!

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  3. consuela bananahammocMarch 30, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Nice read :)

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  4. RankMarch 30, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    yeah i agree with him

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  5. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    very intriguing will follow for further posts.

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  6. BTN Hip HopMarch 30, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    gotta get this game!

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  7. WizWayneMarch 30, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    love me some LoL!

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  8. DadeMarch 30, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Yeah I don't know, I guess well have to see.

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  9. Electric AddictMarch 30, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    makes sense. they do want as big of audience as possible and they need to appeal to both levels of players.

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  10. Aaron M. GipsonMarch 30, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    And it sounds to me that they are at least trying to mix it up a little bit which is pretty commendable for a free game if you think about it...

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  11. LeestanderMarch 30, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Gragas its the best, great guides at mobafire ;)

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  12. DocStoutMarch 30, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    I liked LoL a lot, almost always played in PuGs as Zilean, buffing and helping teammates, usually ended up as bottom for kills, top for assists. People claimed I was doing it wrong.

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  13. SOMSMarch 30, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    it is a noob game anyway.. were waiting for dota2

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  14. Buzzy LightsMarch 30, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Don't play LoL much but Thanks for sharing!

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  15. OnikazamMarch 30, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    High-level PvP play on online games weird me out. If I want to fight another player, I'll just play a fighting game or a shooter, but I guess that's just me. When I play MMOs I just like to relax and grind and kill monsters hahaha.

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  16. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    It's all about LoL! SC2 is too serious about pvping =/

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  17. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Sounds intriguing.

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  18. DavidMarch 30, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Haven't played this game, but it looks pretty good.

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  19. AdamMarch 30, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Man, balance is so hard to get right.

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  20. BroccoliMarch 30, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    They always attempt to balance, but it never is completely equal, and never will be. It is quite depressing, imo.

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  21. entertainventMarch 30, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    never played so nothing to add lol

    http://entertainvent.blogspot.com/

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  22. HmeceyMarch 30, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Well you have to decide.

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  23. Found on the Internet TodayMarch 30, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    guess we'll see.

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  24. HiFiMarch 30, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    It makes sense. Gotta have balance for pvp.

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  25. cool_ciclerMarch 30, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Very good point. After all it makes very sense.

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  26. BrAd?March 30, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Never really got into LoL myself,
    DotA is just so much better.

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  27. ChicagoTasteMarch 30, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    You make this game sound really fun. I think I might get into it.

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  28. SpadeMarch 30, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Looks cool

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  29. edMarch 30, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    what? i think everyone wants to be pro

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  30. RabidmooseMarch 30, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Hopefully they can strike a balance.

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  31. Nuker ZeroMarch 30, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    haha, evelyn. Thank you for that laugh. Also, I need $upport, just sayin. :(

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  32. AzurikaiMarch 30, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    not sure who this will benefit.

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  33. christopherMarch 30, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    need to try this game out...still haven't had the chance :(

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  34. FrostyMarch 30, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    Totally cater to casuals. Balance aside, the design of heroes and items is so simplified they can't argue any other way

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  35. JackieMarch 31, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    i dont have time for games! stop tempting me ! ;p

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  36. -inastateofblueMarch 31, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Ahaha I still never got around to downloading this -_-

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  37. Patti D.March 31, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    great read

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  38. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    I think the casual route is better as high end only is too much of a time sink/grind.

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  39. AmbiMarch 31, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    Just startet a few days ago LoL with a few friends, not yet familiar with it :)

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  40. elexerdelexMarch 31, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    99.99999%
    Lol'd at that! xD Keep up your posts man!

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  41. triadeMarch 31, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    LoL is a good game, but i want test HoN

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  42. AlphabetaMarch 31, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Heh, what does it take to becoming a nerfing champion?

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  43. skinned sheepMarch 31, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    thanks for the information/opinion

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  44. YellowNiceTechnoMarch 31, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I say nerf it if it's that imba

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  45. WilcoMarch 31, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    i dont have time to play games!

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  46. SportsGuyBrandonMarch 31, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Well I guess now I have to start playing LoL again.

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