“LoL Developers Admit Major Mistakes with Champion Unlocking in the New Season”

The creators of League of Legends have acknowledged significant issues regarding the unlocking of new champions in the first act of the 2025 ranked season. In a recent post on the game’s official website, representatives from Riot Games addressed player concerns about the revised systems for earning blue essence, which have left many feeling frustrated and undervalued.
The changes introduced at the start of the season limited the methods players could use to accumulate blue essence, making it harder to access new champions. Previously, players could earn blue essence through various activities, such as playing their first match of the day or disenchanting champion shards obtained from leveling up. However, the new battle pass system has drastically reduced the number of rewards available. Players can now receive only four capsules with shards per season and a one-time blue essence bonus for completing the battle pass, leading to a significant increase in the time required to unlock champions.
In their statement, Riot Games acknowledged that these alterations may not have aligned with their goal of providing a fair and accessible experience for all players. They emphasized their commitment to addressing these issues in a timely manner. The developers are currently examining the system for potential bugs and are exploring options to enhance the overall progression experience.
Players have expressed hope that Riot will consider their feedback and implement meaningful changes to restore balance and satisfaction within the game. As the community continues to discuss these issues, many are eager to see how Riot Games will navigate the challenges ahead and improve the champion unlocking process moving forward. The ongoing dialogue between developers and players is crucial in shaping the future of League of Legends, ensuring it remains an engaging and rewarding experience for all.
Riot Games Acknowledges Issues with Champion Unlocking in League of Legends 2025 Season
Gamers began expressing their dissatisfaction almost immediately following the launch of the 2025 season of League of Legends. The introduction of the new battle pass significantly altered how players could earn blue essence, a crucial currency needed to purchase champions. Previously, players could earn blue essence through various means, including leveling up and completing event rewards. However, these options were largely removed, leading to frustration among the community.
As a result of these changes, players calculated that it would now take an astonishing 900 hours of gameplay to unlock a single champion. This shocking figure prompted Riot Games to take notice of the growing backlash. Just a few days after the launch, the developers publicly acknowledged their missteps, stating, “We seriously screwed up.” This admission highlighted the disconnect between the developers’ intentions and the actual player experience.
Riot Games provided statistics to illustrate the impact of the changes. Before the patch, players typically earned between 4.5 and 37.1 thousand blue essence over a 60-day period, depending on their time spent in the game. However, the new system only benefitted those who played less than 20 hours during that period, resulting in a modest 6.9% increase in blue essence for that group. In stark contrast, players who invested more than 20 hours saw their blue essence earnings plummet by 17% to 71%. This decline was primarily due to Riot’s failure to account for bonuses awarded for the first victory of the day when recalibrating the rewards.
In response to the overwhelming feedback, Riot Games outlined a plan to rectify the situation. The developers announced that they would adjust the free rewards and repeatable missions associated with the Battle Pass. In the upcoming patch (25.S1.2), players can expect a significant increase in the repeatable bonus for the epilogue after completing the Battle Pass, raising it from 50 blue essence to 750 blue essence. Furthermore, an easy mission will be introduced, offering a one-time reward of 4,250 blue essence in patch 25.S1.3.
Additional changes are slated for the Act II Battle Pass, where completing levels will yield 9,000 blue essence instead of the previously offered 4,750 blue essence. Riot Games is also implementing a 40% increase in account experience gained from matches to make up for the loss of the first win bonuses. These adjustments aim to restore balance and fairness to the champion unlocking process.
The community’s response to these announcements will be closely monitored, as many players hope that these changes will meaningfully address their concerns. Riot Games has historically valued player feedback, and the swift acknowledgment of these issues demonstrates their commitment to improving the game experience. As the developers continue to refine the battle pass system and champion unlocking mechanics, players remain hopeful for a more rewarding and accessible experience. The ongoing dialogue between Riot Games and the player community will be critical in shaping the future of League of Legends, ensuring that it remains a beloved and engaging game for both new and veteran players alike.