Riot Pls: 10th Anniversary Edition - Senna, Preseason 2020, Legends of Runeterra, LoL: Wild Rift, Arcane, and much more announced!

"LoL is introducing a new champion to the Rift, Senna. Originally one of the many souls trapped in Thresh’s lantern and a fan favorite since her introduction in Lucian's story, Senna is the newest support to join LoL’s roster of more than 140 champions and will uniquely embody a marksman-like playstyle. She will hit the Public Beta Environment on October 29th and live servers on November 10th."

Preseason 2020 Gameplay: Rise of the Elements

"Welcome to Preseason 2020: Rise of the Elements! In our high-level goals blog, we revealed that this year’s preseason would be transformative but left the details hiding in the fog of war. Then we shared a video preview during the 10th Anniversary Edition of Riot Pls. And now, the full reveal is here. 

Elemental Rifts 

GOAL: Every game, Summoner's Rift presents a variety of distinct and memorable environments for players to master. 

Rise of the Elements will bring SR to life as the primal magic of the Elemental Drakes changes the landscape each game. The third drake transforms the Rift before it spawns and after that, its element will be the only one to spawn for the remainder of the game. 

Infernal Rift 

The Infernal Drake sunders the Rift, creating new pathways through buff camps and burning away their brush. In addition, the dragon pit itself becomes the Infernal Drake’s molten domain, crumbling the walls at the mouth of the pit. New paths make opportunities for a quick flank or sidestep that your opponent isn’t expecting. 

Ocean Rift 

The Ocean Drake brings new life to the Rift, causing existing brush to expand, fresh patches of brush to grow around the dragon pit, and the environment to flood with pools of water. In addition, Honeyfruit plants sprout up in each jungle quadrant. Sneak around the jungle or look for a new ambush opportunity. 

Cloud Rift 

The Cloud Drake’s power spawns air currents flowing through the jungle and dragon pit, speeding up champions in the vicinity. Dodge skillshots or make a swift collapse on your enemies trying to sneak a far away objective. 

Mountainous Rift 

The Mountain Drake triggers a seismic shift throughout the Rift. Bluffs of rock erupt from the earth, making for some scary new choke points and ambush locations, most notably across the mouth of the dragon pit itself. Extra tight spaces give opportunities for big AOE wombos and create some interesting new hiding spots with fog of war. 

We wanted to make sure the Elemental Rifts are fair to both teams regardless of whether one team is ahead on drakes. Keeping your head in the game if you fall behind early can be hard enough as-is; we didn't want to make it feel like the map itself was trying to make you lose, too. When creating new layouts for the Rifts, we wanted to make sure each of them would be as exciting and fair as the base SR map. Both teams have the opportunity to exploit and master the new terrain equally, so the outcomes are still in players' hands regardless of which Elemental Rift takes shape. 

Additionally, we wanted to ensure the Rifts feel intuitive, even in your first game. We avoided creating new gameplay mechanics in favor of expanding the SR elements you're already familiar with. We also made sure the changes always occur in the jungle near buff camps and dragon pit so that no matter which element you get, you'll interact with the layout changes around the same areas. 

Elemental Buffs & Dragon Souls 

GOAL: The elemental buffs are more equal in both satisfaction and strength. 

The Elemental Drakes themselves still grant different flavors of permanent, stacking buffs to your team when killed, but some buffs are now a little different.

• Infernal Might:
• Gain a percentage increase of Attack Damage and Ability Power.
• Oceanic Will:
• Regenerate a percentage of missing health every second.
• Cloudbringer’s Grace:
• Gain cooldown reduction for your Ultimate ability.
• Mountainous Vigor:
• Gain a percentage increase of Armor and Magic Resistance.

When a team kills their fourth Elemental Drake, instead of stacking their elemental buff, they'll gain a powerful Dragon Soul from the dominant dragon. Dragon Souls persist through death and last the remainder of the game.

• Infernal Dragon Soul:
• Every 3 seconds, your next attack or damaging spell creates a small AoE explosion, dealing adaptive damage that scales with bonus attack damage, ability power, and bonus health.
• Ocean Dragon Soul:
• Dealing any damage triggers strong health and resource regeneration for 3 seconds.
• Damage to minions provides less regeneration.
• Cloud Dragon Soul:
• Hitting enemies with abilities or attacks lowers the cooldowns of your base abilities.
• Mountain Dragon Soul:
• After not taking damage for 5 seconds, gain a shield that lasts until destroyed. The shield’s magnitude scales with bonus attack damage, ability power, and bonus health.

Once one team has claimed a Dragon Soul, it becomes the Elder Dragon's turn to defend the pit—this means only one team can have a Dragon Soul. 

Elder Dragon 

GOAL: Elder buff is more satisfying; Elder buff doesn't favor the team with more dragons. 

Elder Dragon still grants a powerful, short-term combat buff, and we're retooling it to offer teams who failed to claim a Dragon Soul a teamfight-focused hope of getting back into the game. To achieve this, we're removing Elder Dragon's scaling with Elemental Drake buffs (which favors the team that's ahead) and replacing it with a new execution component. If Elder's burn damage affects a low-health enemy champion, they’ll be consumed by a searing Elder Immolation—killing them instantly!

Enemies affected by the Elder burn have a small marker on their health bar, indicating the execution threshold. The execution has a brief wind-up, so with quick reactions, Immolation victims can avoid imminent execution with the usual suite of clutch save abilities or spells (Zhonya’s Hourglass, Kindred’s Ultimate, etc). The threat of Immolation will still be there when they become vulnerable again, so if the Elder buff burn is applied a second time, it’s back to the fountain! 

Side Lane Alcoves & Brush 

GOAL: The side lanes offer greater outplay opportunities by allowing players to turn fights through clever environmental play. 

Aside from the Elemental Rifts and other Dragon changes, we've made some renovations to other parts of Summoner’s Rift. We've created identical alcoves in top and bottom lane. Both alcoves feature three patches of brush on their outer edges and a small space in their center for champions to juke around or hide in. 

We don’t expect alcoves to be used constantly throughout lane phase. But every so often, players may turn a 2v3 into a double kill, or perhaps escape certain death due to the unique layout of an alcove. We look forward to seeing how players make use of them when they hit the Rift. 

Finally, there are two new patches of permanent brush opposite the Baron and Dragon pits. These open areas to the river are high traffic, but lack the map features that create playmaking possibilities. New brush opens up a lot of new strategic and tactical options. 

Other gameplay changes 

But it’s not all about the map! There’s a host of other new features and updates coming in preseason to address common frustration points in League. 

Jungle Path Diversity 

Early jungling currently revolves around Krugs due to their high gold/XP tuning, resulting in pretty one-dimensional pathing and a heavy blue-side advantage due to bot lane's proximity to Krugs. We're making XP and gold changes in order to open up more diverse pathing options and jungle strategies—most significantly, reducing Krugs' value and buffing Gromp's so junglers can hit level 3 off any combination of outer camp (Gromp or Krugs), buff camp, and any third camp. 

We’ve also added respawn timer icons (like you see on red and blue buff) to the minimap for every camp to help all junglers plan their next moves. 

Top Lane Influence 

For a high-stakes solo lane, top hasn’t been able to translate a lane win into an effective mid and late game carry for their team—particularly in higher levels of play. Combined with this preseason's increased focus on Elemental Drakes drawing fights to the bot lane, we're shifting power around to give top laners better opportunities to translate their wins in lane into game wins. 

We’re increasing base minion XP slightly so solo laners level a bit faster, and we’re reducing the amount of bonus XP generated when allies share XP so bot lane levels a bit more slowly. We're also slightly decreasing jungle XP. 

Additionally, to balance out the map objectives a bit, we’re spawning Rift Herald earlier in the game and allowing her to respawn once if she is killed early. 

Support Items 

We're refreshing support choices in the shop. They’ll be less poachable and have an expanded quest system that should be more satisfying overall. We're also reducing the current complexity and rules bloat of the lineup. 

Towards the goal of creating more satisfying items, supports will no longer have to upgrade these starter items in the shop. Instead, the quest system now automatically upgrades items to their second and third tiers when milestones are reached, with the Warding passive baked into those upgrades: 

• Tier 1 - Starting stats and gold generation passive
• Tier 2 - Stats improved, 3 wards added
• Tier 3 - Major stats upgrade, 4 ward capacity, gold generation passive removed

This unlocks supports to begin progressing toward their item builds without having to spend their first 1500g on completing their economy item. These starting support items won’t carry as many stats as before, but we think this is a fair tradeoff for the jump-start supports are getting on their other items. 

The four starting support item options are:

• High AD + Low HP + Spellthief’s passive
• High AP + Low HP + Spellthief’s passive
• Low AD + High HP + Targon's passive
• Low AP + High HP + Targon's passive
• (Coin removed) 

When assessing the play patterns of the income passives, Targon’s and Coin both encourage a safer, more sustain-focused playstyle compared to Spellthief’s aggressive one. To simplify the support item system, we’re removing Coin and allowing ranged champions to use the execute element of Targon’s passive. 

Finally, we're adding a new poaching rule that significantly reduces the gold you get from minions if you're farming them consistently. The tuning we want should still allow supports to secure a last-hit every now and then or even farm an occasional wave like today; the penalty only kicks in if item holders begin farming like non-supports. This new rule also allows us to remove the current anti-poaching mechanics on Spellthief's (charge pausing on CS, nearby ally requirement for gold). 

Lethality Items 

Lethality items are core for a pretty big group of AD assassins and fighters, but with only Duskblade and Ghostblade commonly used, choices feel limited. We want to make Edge of Night a more attractive option and add a fourth choice to the lineup: 

• Duskblade is mostly the same.
• Ghostblade is also mostly the same.
• Edge of Night's spellshield now works like Banshee's Veil, which is a more straightforward effect that avoids the learning curve of an active item while also allowing for clearer counterplay opportunities for opponents.
• Sanguine Blade is a new Lethality item that enables split pushing. Its unique passive grants a huge attack speed buff when no allies are nearby.
• We’re also exploring a few other potential lethality item options that you may see on PBE. 

Doubling the number of attractive Lethality items significantly increases assassins' ability to tailor their early builds to their matchup or game state, but we don't want to kill their later build variety by letting full-Lethality become optimal in every game. Individual items grant fewer stats but now feature a one- and two-piece bonus which preserves the power spikes of assassins' first big purchases. Since this set bonus stops at two, assassins should generally branch into raw-AD items like Guardian Angel or Black Cleaver after their two-item spike. Full Lethality should still feel like a strong option against exceptionally squishy comps, though. 

Other Items 

We're removing Spear of Shojin. Its unique passive when used by the most synergistic champions is lowering the downtime of some CC, mobility, and immunity spells beyond what we think leaves healthy room for counterplay. 

We’re also looking for other small improvements we can make across the item system from now through the launch of preseason. 

Keystone Rune changes

We’re tweaking some keystones to address a few problems they've created. 

Conqueror has been too effective at allowing sustained damage fighters to deal with tanks, who have lost their place in solo lanes as a result. We’re toning down the anti-tank nature of the rune by removing the true damage conversion and putting more power into the stacking adaptive force. 

Kleptomancy has been commonly used as a way to generate lots of gold in an uneven matchup, like ranged vs melee top lane. We’re pulling power out of the “farm gold off of my enemy” pattern and pushing more into the early game elixir drops. 

Aftershock continues to attract squishy champs looking to negate their intended fragility. We’re lowering the flat resistances more on this rune and buffing the power it gives to tankier champions. 

See you in 9.23! 

Exact numbers and whatnot for all the changes we've just shared will be available soon on the PBE for an extended four-week cycle. Rise of the Elements ships with patch 9.23 in November!"

Return of URF

"For the first time in four years, LoL will bring back Ultra Rapid Fire (URF) with full champion select, a popular, chaotically fun, limited-time game mode. 

• A new Dawnbringer Karma skin was announced  and previewed during the stream!
  
  "Riot is proud to announce the formation of The Riot Games Social Impact Fund, a non-profit engine to power continued global social impact. Riot’s Karma program has already donated more than $4 million to charities around the world, including many charitable causes selected by LoL players. Dawnbringer Karma will be the first LoL skin in which all proceeds will go to the Riot Games Social Impact Fund. "

• Going forward, Riot products will begin to Arabic language support.

• Riot is releasing several new albums featuring music across the seasons of LoL on various streaming music platforms  - these albums are already available on Spotify!

• Log on and play games to earn Anniversary gifts over the next several days! Be sure to track your progress in the client!
  
  "During 10 Days of Gifting (from 10/17–10/27) you can play a game to receive a daily gift, culminating in a very special surprise on League’s birthday. Don't worry if you miss a day, they'll last for a little while. "

Teamfight Tactics Mobile and Rise of the Elements

"Riot’s popular autobattler, Teamfight Tactics, is coming to mobile in Q1 2020 with pre-registration on the Google Play Store starting on October 15th. TFT is an eight person free-for-all strategy game where players strategize with LoL champions and items to defeat the seven other players in each match. 

To utilize the wide breadth of lore, champions, and thematics in the LoL universe, TFT on both PC and mobile will release new sets of champions and abilities every three to four months. The second set to launch in TFT for PC will be called Rise of the Elements and will feature content themed around the elementals, giving players opportunities to create new and interesting strategies with other, not-yet-seen, characters and items. Rise of the Elements will be released on November 5th in the LoL client.

New Games & More

Legends of Runeterra

Choose your champions, make your move, and be legendary. PRE-REGISTER @ https://playruneterra.com for a chance to play right now. Join the community and see more: 

WEBSITE: https://playruneterra.com 

DISCORD: https://discord.gg/legendsofruneterra 

YOUTUBE: you are here 

TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/riotgames 

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/legendsofru... 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/playruneterra 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/legendsofrun..."

"Legends of Runeterra (LoR) is a free-to-play strategy card game set in the world of LoL. LoR features cards based on the iconic champions of LoL, as well as new characters and allies hailing from the regions of Runeterra, each with their own style and strategic advantage. LoR’s gameplay is built around dynamic, alternating combat that demands players use their skill, creativity, and cleverness to succeed. LoR offers players multiple options to acquire cards, including both robust free-to-play options and the ability to directly purchase any card with either earned or paid currency.

LoR will be fully launched in 2020 for PC and mobile and is now open for pre-registration.

For more information, visit www.playruneterra.com"

  

  

  

League of Legends: Wild Rift

League of Legends: Wild Rift was also announced, an upcoming mobile & console experience for LoL!

"Coming 2020 to Android, iOS, and consoles! Skillful outplays. Brilliant maneuvers. The occasional throw. Welcome to Wild Rift! Find out more: https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com  

A NEW RIFT
Dive into the same competitive 5v5 gameplay you expect from League of Legends on PC, but totally rebuilt from the ground up for new platforms! League of Legends: Wild Rift features 15-18 minute matches, an intuitive twin-stick control scheme, and a brand new map to explore.  

CHAMPS YOU KNOW
Blast the bad guys with Lux’s laser or outplay the opposition with a pixel-perfect Yasuo windwall. Champions play authentically to League, with slight changes for more thumb-friendly casting. At launch, around 40 champions that you’ll know from the PC game will be available, and dozens more will follow over time.  

SKILLS NOT BILLS
Check out the all-new 3D model viewer where you can show off your champs and skins, or master the Rift in ranked with your friends to earn unique loot. Also—just like League PC, Wild Rift is free to download, and all champs can be earned for free: no paying for playtime or power.  

SO WHEN IS THIS THING COMING OUT?
We’re going to begin the process of rolling alphas and betas through the end of 2019r. The plan is to have the mobile version fully live everywhere in the world by the end of 2020, with console coming sometime after. More info coming soon™!  

Follow for 200IQ gameplay clips, dev and feature updates, and a whole lot more:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/playwildrift
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playwildrift
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildrift
Website: https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com"

     

Arcane

"Every legend has a beginning. 

From the creators of League of Legends comes a new animated series about the origins of two iconic League champions—and the power that will tear them apart."

Other Projects

• Project A
• "Riot Games is developing a stylish, competitive, character-based tactical shooter for PC, temporarily codenamed Project A. The game is set on a beautiful near-future Earth and has a lethal cast of characters, each with unique abilities that create tactical opportunities for their gunplay to shine. More information to be revealed in 2020."

• Project L
• "Project L is a temporary codename for a fighting game set in the LoL Universe. The game is in early stage development, and no additional details are available at this time."
• Ahri, Darius, Jinx, and Katarina are featured briefly throughout the short preview. 

• Project F
• "Project F is a temporary codename for a very early development project that explores the possibilities of traversing the world of Runeterra with your friends."

League of Legends Origins

"League of Legends Origins is a feature-length documentary by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks. In it, Iwerks explores the rise of LoL and the community that made LoL one of the most-played PC games in history and fastest growing sports in the world. Told by the fans who love LoL and the visionaries who built it, Iwerks travels the world to capture the highs and lows of making a global phenomenon, from the early days of development through the 2017 World Championship in the Beijing National Stadium. League of Legends Origins is available now on Netflix and many streaming video on demand platforms."

League of Legends Esports Manager

"Today we are excited to announce LoL Esports Manager, a new game that puts you in the role of a team manager leading a top-tier professional League of Legends team. First launching for the LPL in 2020, LoL Esports Manager will provide players with the full experience of what it takes to run an esports team through major decisions that include: strategy selection, pre-match bans and picks, and winning the off-season by building the best team possible. 

The game will create unique moments only possible through the collection of popular pro players to create never-before-seen rosters. Using gameplay that combines esports strategy with a brand new AI system, the title will create a tactical experience bespoke to LoL Esports. You’ll be able to play through the game in two ways: Experiencing an esports story through the eyes of a single protagonist, or competing against friends and other players through ranked play. 

At Riot Games, we are committed to creating deeply engaging esports experiences for the League of Legends fan base. Our goal is to create a multi-generational sport that will bring joy to billions of fans across the world. In addition to providing an exciting new gameplay experience, LoL Esports Manager also will reinvest back into the esports ecosystem. Starting with the LPL, a portion of the revenues from LoL Esports Manager will go back to pro teams featured in the game, allowing the sport as a whole to share in the success. 

The title will first release for the LPL in 2020 with the intention to gradually expand and include players from other leagues. The reach and depth of the LPL provides an ideal environment to launch the first League of Legends game in the sports manager genre and create a product that deeply resonates with our fans before broadening to additional regions. As we head into the 10th season of LoL Esports, we remain deeply committed to elevating our sport and eagerly prepare to bring you another great year of competition."