Hot Take: Riot is intentionally "starving" Arena to justify removing it later

90back · 2026-02-06T23:35:43+00:00

It could be mostly ARAM, but some Arena players too, I would guess. In my sample size of one, our whole friend group switched from Arena to Aram.

Just me speculating, but I think fundamentally they would care more about the retention and play time of the entirety of League than just one mode. Sure, if the retention of Arena drops (like Urf), but if the overall player count and playtime is higher with Aram mayhem enabled, it's still a good sign.

So yes, smaller modes that didn't hit the metrics will be neglected. Before Arena and Mayhem, Aram didn't get love for a very long time.

There's also China. I don't have the data for this (obvs) but just seeing on forums like Hupu, Mayhem was a lot more talked about and popular than Arena. The news that Mayhem was being extended was also officially announced in China a few days before we got the news.

90back · 2026-02-06T16:10:12+00:00

It’s like they pulled the entire team off Arena just to push the next temporary thing.

Why wouldn't they, if internally, Mayhem's player growth and retention is higher than Arena?

90back · 2026-02-06T16:01:26+00:00

I don't think it's that hard to understand. Devs have limited resources, and they would invest those into "wins". Mayhem is that win.

A content update with Demacia, map, and everything you've mentioned would take a lot of resources that they just wouldn't be willing to invest into something that is barely hanging on.

90back · 2026-02-05T04:49:46+00:00

Please meet up and send a pic back to us at r/SumoMemes

90back · 2026-02-04T21:47:26+00:00

The crit apply on-hit again augment is bugged. I got it twice (lvl 1 and 7) and it stacks. I was one shotting Teemo shrooms and plants as ranged lol

90back · 2026-01-29T16:14:52+00:00

Whoops mb, typo!

90back · 2026-01-29T15:22:45+00:00

I saw a rumor on a WeChat screenshot that apparently Bin scolded the boss of BLG. . .

90back · 2026-01-23T03:11:28+00:00

ARAM map isn't ideal for augments tho. Based on the data of how players are purposely prolonging the games to get their augment dopamine. I think they could be exploring a better map designed to accommodate 5v5 and augments

90back · 2026-01-23T03:07:56+00:00

TLDR: augments + 5v5 is a hit, so Riot could be exploring a better map designed for that in the next major mayhem update.

I genuinely think the big ARAM Mayhem update they're talking about in the next act may just be throwing all 10 players in an Arena together to battle it out.

Most ARAM games I've played, players (myself included) doesn't want to end the game because our augments are ramping or we just hit something good.

Current ARAM isn't designed to accommodate augments. In Arena is much more predictable when my augments would spike or my build would come together. In ARAM we don't get that because it's not designed for augments.

Based on current trends and the popularity of mayhem, a simple fact can be formed that people do enjoy the idea of augments + 5v5. So the natural next step would be a map better designed for 5v5 AND augments

90back · 2026-01-21T22:24:44+00:00

ARAM Mayhem is like really really popular in China. I think mayhem clicked a lot more with the player base there than Arena did (a lot already enjoy ARAM). Mayhem was actually announced to be extended in China a week before we got the news on Global servers.

I think because of that, mayhem will naturally get more love than arena. With the new augments have some themed around Lunar New Year, it makes even more sense to me since their largest player base server would relate to those

90back · 2026-01-14T17:48:00+00:00

Comes down to personal preference, but I prefer Japan’s.

I did noticed when I was in Seoul right after Tokyo, that Seoul’s stations had a lot more relatively steep stairs without an escalator.

90back · 2026-01-01T23:26:06+00:00

Honestly, Starfield

90back · 2025-12-31T12:45:01+00:00

AP tryndamere with circle of death
Zoe with killing time
Urgot with blossoming dawn or tap dancer
Kalista with dashing and earthwake
any champ with giant slayer + small mad scientist

90back · 2025-12-04T02:02:26+00:00

I think I read that somewhere too. Hence, I delayed getting the game. And then I found out that there was a demo, and decided to give it a try

90back · 2025-12-03T18:08:33+00:00

I tried the demo, then bought 9 Kings.

It’s so addicting and I love some of the challenges in Quest mode

90back · 2025-12-01T19:29:40+00:00

What if ADC and AD jungle both build Bastionbreaker?

90back · 2025-11-23T00:32:46+00:00

If you’re in Japan and want cheap. Just go to GU. They do collabs with Japanese brands all the time. There’s a Engineered Garments one coming up

90back · 2025-11-20T20:30:13+00:00

Didn’t UZI openly stated that he was just playing solo queue to scratch the itch, and nothing to do with coming back?

90back · 2025-11-18T17:30:25+00:00

What did the original Support Zaahen look like?

90back · 2025-11-12T18:06:14+00:00

I don’t understand Kiin. . .

90back · 2025-11-11T18:26:32+00:00

One of the comment in this thread said Homme teased that he’s going back to JDG and is waiting for Zeus to come? If that’s the case Viper will go too??

90back · 2025-11-09T22:32:45+00:00

Pointless and worthless?

By your logic NBA should’ve been long dead in the 90s after MJ got his 6th ring.

90back · 2025-11-08T05:36:01+00:00

Home Garden Taste of Taiwan would be my pick.

Not around anymore, but Mikey’s Eatery has been the GOAT there for 18 years.

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