Riot Games has officially announced League of Legends Classic, a new iteration of its 16-year-old MOBA, following a series of leaks that had revealed its existence and details about playable champions. The announcement comes as Riot moves to address the premature disclosure of information.
The reveal video for League of Legends Classic offers a meta-commentary on the concept of a "classic" version, posing questions about what specific era or build of the game players might be looking for. The trailer suggests a fluid approach, potentially allowing players to influence what constitutes the classic experience.
This approach may differentiate Riot's strategy from that of Blizzard Entertainment, which has previously released World of Warcraft Classic and classic versions of its expansions, offering players a direct experience of earlier game states. Blizzard also brought classic modes to Overwatch, featuring distinct versions of the game with curated hero rosters and balance.
Details regarding the specific eras or balance states Riot is aiming for with League of Legends Classic remain somewhat elusive. Dataminers have uncovered PBE artwork and skins that hint at potential inspirations, but these findings have not yet provided a definitive answer.
Further information is expected in July. Riot Games has directed players to tune into the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) Finals on July 11 at 11 PM PDT for more details about League of Legends Classic. The MSI is currently being held in Daejeon, South Korea.