League of Legends Classic, a new take on the game that pulls from its "greatest hits" across various eras, is set to launch on July 29. The project aims to let players relive favorite moments and mechanics from the game's nearly two-decade history. Executive producer Paul Bellezza explained in an interview with Polygon that the initiative began with an internal hackathon.
The Genesis of Classic
The concept for League Classic emerged from Riot Games' internal "Thunderdome" hackathon, where teams can develop passion projects. A prototype focused on resurrecting the game around its 2013, or Season 3, era, proved that the endeavor was both technically feasible and enjoyable. The original League engine has evolved significantly over the years, and questions arose about whether older assets and code could be accessed. The prototype demonstrated that this was possible, and that the experience could be fun.
Season 3 was selected as the framework for Classic due to its global relevance. League launched in different regions at varying times, and Season 3 represented a period when most major regions were actively engaging with the game. Bellezza also noted that this era saw significant shifts in gameplay, such as the establishment of jungle pathing as a distinct role. While Season 3 serves as the foundation, League Classic will incorporate other elements from different years, including items like the Zz'Rot Portal from 2015 and the Heart of Gold, alongside visual designs from that period.
Development and Roster
Development of League Classic involves a dedicated team of approximately 25 to 30 individuals, comprising veteran League designers, engineers, and technical artists who have deep knowledge of the game's history. This team will be responsible for live services, including balance updates, post-launch. Initially, the game will launch with around 60 champions. Future additions will be influenced by player feedback, with the community able to vote on which champions should be reintroduced as players progress through the "Classic Pass."
The user interface will blend modern quality-of-life improvements with the aesthetic of past eras. While the underlying systems are rebuilt with current technology to ensure smooth performance, the UI will be reskinned to match the classic look, including iconography and visual design elements. The development team had to meticulously recreate assets, such as the map and champion models, often rebuilding them from degraded code or missing art assets. For instance, the original Sion model was found to be extremely degraded and required significant reconstruction.
Player Retention and Release
Riot Games intends for League Classic to serve as a welcoming point for players who may have drifted away from the game, offering a familiar and nostalgic experience. The aim is not to divide the player base but to offer an additional, complementary way to enjoy League of Legends. Players will be able to engage with both the classic and current versions of the game. For newer players, Classic offers a chance to experience League's history firsthand.
While jungle timers were not present in early prototype playtests, their inclusion in the final release is not yet confirmed and could change. League of Legends Classic is scheduled to be released on July 29.