The League of Legends community has been navigating a challenging period recently. While fans generally embraced the second season of Arcane along with the new lore-themed season, Riot Games made some updates to the game that sparked less enthusiasm. Most notably, the introduction of Exalted skins through a gacha system, and the removal of Hextech Chests, didn’t sit well with everyone. This Wednesday, though, Riot released a developer video and blog post to reverse some of these unpopular decisions.
A key change on the horizon is bringing back Hextech Chests. In an earlier developer video, Andrei Van Roon, head of League Studio, explained that giving away free chests had accidentally become the main way for players to access new skins, resulting in expansive collections at no cost, which he said was “not sustainable in the long term.” In the latest video, Riot assures fans that Hextech Chests will make a comeback, allowing players to earn up to ten per Act: eight via the free seasonal pass and two more through the Honor system, rewarding good behavior in matches.
Unlocking champions will also soon become easier. The Blue Essence currency, which players can earn by simply playing, will see a 50% reduction in cost for all champions with the next update. This should make it significantly easier for both new players and veterans to expand their roster and experiment with recently released champions.
The community’s discontent with Exalted skins has been quite vocal. These skins are acquired by spending money on rolls in the Sanctum, and after about $250 worth, you get the skin. Radiant Serpent Sett and Fractured Arcane Jinx, two of the introduced skins, have faced criticism. The upcoming Exalted skin featuring Sahn Uzal Mordekaiser—a character with significant lore depicting his fearsome life before becoming the undead threat players now face—was set to follow suit. However, it hasn’t escaped critique for not meeting the quality expected of such high-priced skins. Riot is taking this feedback seriously, delaying the release to better align with players’ expectations and reducing the prominence of in-client ads for these skins moving forward.
In a heartfelt blog post, Rioteers acknowledged player frustrations: “We realize some of you are upset and maybe even questioning our intentions. We’ve always aimed to prioritize players, and when our decisions miss the mark, it can break your trust. Making League better isn’t achieved with just one set of changes. It’s about constant improvement and tweaking to ensure the game excels. We view today’s updates as a crucial step and look forward to your feedback on how they resonate. Thank you for standing by us, hearing us out, and joining us in making League the greatest game possible.”
Riot has shared some smaller updates, too, such as the return of Your Shop in Patch 25.6 and the Blue Essence Emporium in Patch 25.7. Plus, the game’s tournament queue, Clash, will now occur on a monthly schedule based on player suggestions. Additionally, one battle pass skin will be swapped for 25 Mythic Essence, usable for unlocking prestigious skins. The community is eager to see if the price point for Exalted skins remains and what further changes Riot will roll out in the coming weeks. It’s evident that vocal player feedback has prompted these substantial adjustments.
