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League of Legends is always looking for ways to innovate its rotating game modes, as fans often need to take a break from the toxic wasteland that is Summoner’s Rift. Enter Arena, a 2v2v2v2 mode that allows you to duo with a partner in a series of short battles, where the victors come out on top. But as most rotating game modes like URF or One For All go, not even Arena was immune to diminishing returns in fun or interest. Thanks to some changes, however, we might hopefully see some new life for this League of Legends game mode.
League of Legends Arena is Returning
Arena is one of League of Legends’ more successful rotating game modes. It’s a series of 2v2 PvP battles, made more interesting through rotating battle arenas with different effects. For instance, a Lux might spawn at the center of the stage and shoot giant laser beams at you while you try to fight your opponents. At the same time, you can pick up Augments that will empower your gameplay. Some Augments are minor and might give you some Ability Haste, while others are major, giving you new abilities and crazy effects.
This is an element borrowed from one of League of Legends‘ most successful spinoffs, Teamfight Tactics (TFT). A testament to the success and staying power of TFT, Augments were designed to keep the game fresh and interesting and allow for some mind-boggling combinations. It’s proof that TFT is here to stay and continues to influence Riot Games in many ways. Despite this, Arena continued to fall off, with Riot Games stating in a press release that “play hours [decreased] over the time of its availability.”
New Game Modes Keep the Game Interesting
On a slight tangent, League of Legends has always had a complicated history with different game modes. Currently, excluding TFT, there are only two permanent game modes; Summoner’s Rift and ARAM, and this is due to the playerbase never really continuing to play new game modes that release. Riot Games’ tried to change things up with modes like Nexus Blitz or Twisted Treeline, the latter a game mode that used to be permanent but was later removed due to a small playerbase. In short, new game modes tend to fall off, and Arena was looking to follow a similar path.
I’m glad Riot Games isn’t giving up on Arena, though. In a new press release, Riot Games announced a series of changes to Arena designed to “increase the longevity of interest.” To me, this sounds like a clear desire for Arena to become a permanent game mode, or at least something like URF as a mode that remains popular throughout its run. (Riot Games has expressed an interest in making the game mode permanent.)
These changes are wide and varied. Arena will increase the number of players in one lobby, with lobbies of 16 fighters per game instead of 8. (In other words, 8 teams instead of 4.) The team will also introduce new items, known as Prismatics, which will “completely alter how Arena plays.” Additionally, players at a disadvantage can take a risk and purchase items from an Anvil, which will provide random items at a lower cost.
Mostly, I’m refreshed to see Riot Games supporting a game mode with a dedicated fanbase. While player numbers have dropped throughout its run, Arena supports a fanbase that would love for the mode to become permanent. League of Legends needs some variety when you’re tired of Summoner’s Rift and ARAM, and hopefully, these changes are what we need to breathe life in a stagnant game.