The Sanctum has League of Legends fans angry. Even angrier than usual.
League of Legends fans often have an adversarial relationship with Riot Games. Though they might like the game itself, Riot’s daunting task of updating the game and keeping it tuned in a way that both satisfies current players and keeps things accessible for newcomers is naturally going to leave some frustrated. The Sanctum has pushed the number of grumpy fans far past “some,” however.
The new system for obtaining premium skins has left fans downright mad. Rather than simply saying that the older system was better, fans are instead labeling Riot Games as unethical and exploitative.
The Sanctum is a loot box system introduced to League of Legends that contains most of the game’s premium skins and cosmetic items.
Previously, League of Legends players could obtain almost all the game’s most expensive skins by either playing the game or using RP, an in-game currency that was largely purchased with real-life money. This system wasn’t necessarily beloved, but was straightforward in a way that many fans accepted.
Arcane Fractured Jinx Launch Trailer | Gameplay – League of Legends
With the introduction of The Sanctum, League of Legends’ most prized skins will instead be gated behind a gacha game-style loot box system akin to those seen in Genshin Impact. This instead forces players to gamble for the skin; spending real-life money on a roll of the dice that has only a very slim chance of yielding the desired reward.
Offsetting this is a “pity” system similar to those seen in gacha games. After a certain number of unsuccessful attempts, players will have a 100% chance of acquiring the desired skin on their next attempt.
Hypothetically, this will allow players to get prized skins for just a few dollars. In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, players will need to pay over $200 for expensive skins.
The response to The Sanctum and this new system for distributing expensive skins has been resoundingly negative.
The initial announcement was lambasted by fans and things haven’t cooled down since. The first rare skin exclusively distributed through The Sanctum will be the Fractured Jinx skin, modeled after her appearance and outfits in Arcane Season 2. While the skin itself is elaborate and has all the trimmings of a pricy skin, fan reaction to it has been one of derision and criticism.
Arcane viewers used the source material to crack wise about the skins, discussing how only topsiders would be able to afford this Zaunite skin. The presentation of The Sanctum itself was also criticized. The imagery of slot machine-like reels was honed in on as being seedy or otherwise unbecoming of the game.
Regardless, The Sanctum and its loot boxes are almost certainly here to stay in League of Legends. While fans might be frustrated, gacha games’ loot box systems are a proven financial success and Riot Games is looking to make League of Legends more profitable. Players will, unfortunately, have to yet used to spinning to win the best skins for their favorite champions.
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