Considering stepping into the Rift in 2025? Read on to find out whether it’s worth it (spoiler alert: it is!). I’ll cover the basics of the game, how active the community is, and whether the game is still being updated with new content.
It’s the new year, and you know what that means: It’s time to reflect, make new resolutions, and… widen your “virtual” horizons. And by that, I mean try out some new games!
Since you clicked on this post, it’s safe to assume that you’re considering stepping into the Rift in 2025 — perhaps swayed by a friend or won over by Arcane’s enticing worldbuilding. However, you may have also heard rumors that League of Legends is a “dead” game (no doubt ushered by the Dota 2 fanbase).
While LoL may be over a decade old, it definitely isn’t a dying game. In fact, it’s thriving more so than ever. Below, I’ll explain if League of Legends is worth getting into in 2025 (spoiler alert: it is). I’ll cover the basics of the game, how active the community is, and whether the game is still being updated with new content.
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game that was first released back in ‘09. It was developed and published by Riot Games, aka the indie game company turned tech giant.
In the main game mode, Summoner’s Rift, two teams of five players are pitted against each other and must battle to invade and destroy the opposing team’s base. The map is split into two sides — red and blue — and players are assigned to different lanes based on their roles. Objectives spawn periodically across the map, which players can vanquish to gain buffs that greatly improve their odds of winning the match. A typical match lasts anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes.
Players can play as more than 170 different characters, or “champions,” each unique in playstyle, appearance, and mechanics. Considering the huge champion roster, coupled with hundreds of items and a zillion different possible rune combinations, every single game feels different — a huge gameplay element that keeps players hooked (and the game active for over a decade).
Yes, League of Legends still has a thriving community in 2025, and it’s safe to assume that the game will stay active for years to come. While there aren’t really any reliable statistics on just how active League of Legends is — Riot Games are pretty stingy when it comes to releasing data — sources like ActivePlayer.io estimate the monthly player count to be at around 131 million currently. There has been a slight drop over the years, but the numbers have consistently stayed above 125 million.
So, how does all this data translate? In-game, you can expect quick queue times in both ranked and unranked game modes. The average queue time is between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, and you’ll rarely ever bump into the same players…. So yes, that means you won’t have to deal with the exact same 0/10 Yasuo player twice in a row (you’ll get the reference soon).
Do note though that the queue time will depend on your elo. High-elo players (i.e. Master and above) typically have a lot longer queue times, but this won’t apply to you since you’re a beginner.
Yes, League of Legends still receives regular updates in 2025. In fact, Riot’s content schedule isn’t slowing down and has only ramped up over the years. New events, game features, cosmetic items, and champions are released throughout the year, and the meta is ever-changing too to keep gameplay feeling fresh, with patch updates released every few weeks.
Even in 2025, Riot continues to make major changes to League of Legends — the rehauled season framework and the updated Mythic shop, to name just a few!
The Riot universe hasn’t shrunk, either. It has continued to expand into whole new realms, from collectible card games and strategy games like Teamfight Tactics, to the smash-hit Arcane series (which quickly became a mainstream success). The esports scene is thriving too. The Worlds 2024 final reached 6.94M peak viewers and featured an opening performance from Linkin Park.
I won’t beat around the bush or “brush:” League of Legends is difficult to get into as a beginner. The game has a large learning curve, and it takes time to get accustomed to the gameplay, map layout, all the different champions, and various objectives.
However, once you get to grips with the basics? You’ll quickly find yourself immersed in the Rift, whether you like it or not! The gameplay is fast-paced, dynamic, and packed with exhilarating combat where you can flex your mechanics. The strategy element is also exciting in itself. Nothing can quite beat the rush of making the perfect shotcall and winning the game from it.
Not only that, but Riot recently introduced several features to make the game more beginner-friendly and accessible. So, it’s definitely the perfect time to explore the Rift if you’re considering it! Some of these features include guided jungle pathing, recommended item builds, and an ability level up indicator. The tutorial is also useful, introducing you to how the game works without being too overwhelming.
Look. I can’t force you to hit that “Install" button — that is, unless I master Evelynn’s good ol’ charm ability (again, you’ll get the reference soon). However, you should definitely, and I mean definitely, consider playing League in 2025 if you want a team-based game that:
For your information, League of Legends also has a fantastic esports scene, if you’re a fan of pro play.
If you’re still debating it, feel free to hop into our dedicated Discord group to get a feel of the LoL community. You can speak to other players (both new and veterans) and hear their perspectives too.
Ready to venture into the Rift? Click here to download the game. Adventure, bloodshed, and a vibrant world await!
