League of Legends 2025 Update Delayed?

When Riot’s Pupulasers hinted that League of Legends 2025 update would “change League forever,” many fans speculated about a possible “League of Legends 2” update, potentially bringing a new engine, improved graphics, and a revamped client. However, recent discussions reveal that while this was indeed the plan, the ambitious update has been delayed. Here’s what we know about Riot’s efforts to modernize League of Legends and the challenges behind this extensive project.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the latest patch, 14.22, click here.

A New Engine and Client for League of Legends?

Riot Games has reportedly been working on a massive overhaul, with the goal of upgrading League of Legends to a modern engine by 2025. This would align League’s engine more closely with newer Riot projects like Wild Rift, and Riot’s popular FPS shooter Valorant. MonteCristo, a well-known figure in the gaming community, mentioned in a podcast that Riot had already tested a playable demo of League on this new engine. While the initial excitement around this project was high, it seems the development process is more complex than anticipated.

I have now served as League of Legends’ Game Director for 15 months. Some reflections on the year and our path forward:

1. We should chase legendary dreams rather than perfect what we know
2. Fun over fair, change over inertia, journey before destination

(Cont, 1/x)
— Pu Liu (@RiotPupulasers) December 16, 2023

What the League of Legends 2025 update Could Mean for Players

The planned update would improve League’s performance, graphics, and overall user experience. Transitioning to a modern engine would make it easier for Riot to implement visual updates, create more detailed champion models, and reduce bugs stemming from outdated code. Riot even expressed an interest in integrating features and models from Wild Rift, which has been praised for its visuals and fluid gameplay, and overall a well structured codebase and modern mechanics due to using Unreal Engine.

Challenges in Updating an Aging Game

However, creating a new engine for League isn’t a simple task. Riot has faced hurdles, including team restructuring and layoffs, which likely slowed down the project. Additionally, Riot’s complex codebase for League makes it challenging to transition without impacting gameplay or introducing bugs. Mark Merrill recently addressed these challenges, highlighting that while Riot is expanding and refocusing teams to move League forward, an update of this scale will take time.

Will League Transition to Unreal Engine?

One of the biggest questions is whether Riot will move League to Unreal Engine, which powers the little sister of League of Legends, Wild Rift, and many other popular games. Updating League to Unreal Engine 5, for example, would provide a cleaner and more manageable codebase, making it easier for developers to introduce new features and visuals without constantly battling old code issues. Riot has already announced that Valorant will be upgraded to Unreal Engine 5, so this could be a possibility for League in the future.

For more information on future updates and Riot’s plans for League, visit the official League of Legends website.

Frequently Asked Questions about League of Legends 2025 update

Is League of Legends 2025 update adding a new engine?

Riot is working on updating League’s engine, but the timeline has been delayed.

What improvements will the new engine bring?

A new engine could enhance graphics, gameplay smoothness, and make it easier for Riot to add updates.

When will the new engine be released?

League of Legends 2025 update as the name implies, was scheduled for 2025, the release may be pushed to a later date, potentially 2026 or beyond.

Will League of Legends be moved to Unreal Engine?

It’s possible, as Riot has upgraded Wild Rift and plans to move Valorant to Unreal Engine 5.

What is holding back the League engine update?

@Riotpupulasers has attributed the delays to aging codebase, having to add new content in the current game while simultaneously porting it to their in-house new client and Unreal Engine 5, and the changes of devs over the years.