Can Riot’s Upcoming League of Legends Fighting Game Succeed Where Others Have Failed?

To be fair, the genre’s current monetization systems aren’t exactly stellar either, as DLC will frequently be released very close after launch, with new characters costing between $6-7 each. An extreme case was Street Fighter V, which launched with only 16 characters but then added a whopping 29 more that went for $5.99 when purchased individually. While it’s common for bundles or re-releases to offer the full cast at a decreased cost, there is certainly room for improvement with the current model.

The other central concern about Project L is it could be another case of a fighting game failing to balance approachability and complexity. In recent years developers have been trying to find a way to maintain the nuances and intricacies that define these titles while paving the way for newer players, hopefully becoming the first breakaway success that manages to bring in massive numbers like MOBAs or shooters. In an ideal world, this easy-to-pick-up, difficult-to-master entry would let newcomers get in and quickly understand the genre’s central appeal while still ensuring layers of depth for a more dedicated audience.

However, attempts at striking this fabled balance have been relatively mixed, resulting in many games that arguably curtail skill ceilings while also failing to onboard genre neophytes successfully. For instance, DNF Duel, another title based on an enormous existing gaming franchise, featured easier inputs, removed cross-ups, and generally avoided more complicated systems. Unfortunately, its player base quickly disintegrated, going from a peak of 12,000 concurrents on Steam to a 24-hour max count of only 100. While that outing had many problems besides its lack of depth, it was also based on a high-earning series from a different genre that attempted to appeal to those outside this space’s core audience, making it an interesting parallel to Project L.

At this point, many oldheads perceive modern fighting games as “dumbed down” and less interesting than previous offerings because they are designed with newcomers in mind. While I think much of this is nostalgia, and many of these people conveniently forget the awful balancing and jank that existed in these older titles, it is true that most modern entries are trending towards removing complexity. One way developers have attempted to cater to a new audience is by offering “simplified inputs” for special moves, meaning they don’t require stick motions like Z-inputs or half-circles. Another way they are streamlined is by giving combo routes more lenient timing. Some have complained that these changes make certain powerful maneuvers too easy to perform and thus overly spammable, such as invincible reversal Dragon Punch attacks going from a Z-input to a more reliable single-direction input. Others have said that making combo timing too straightforward makes it so that everyone performs identical optimal combos because there’s no risk-reward between performing a basic, lower-damage route versus a deadlier but more difficult sequence.

Radiant has promised that Project L will have simplified inputs, which has made some worry it will turn out like DNF: Duel or other recent entries that lack flair at higher levels of play. Personally, I think that the ideal solution is to have an option for easier inputs but for challenging inputs to be available for additional reward. However, I think the most essential element is for these titles to maintain depth in their general system mechanics, adding more potential layers to decision-making and having numerous movement abilities. While many have complained about last year’s Guilty Gear: Strive for “being too easy” compared to previous outings, its Roman Cancel system is an excellent example of balancing complexity and approachability. It allows players to improvise and be creative while also tethering multiple techniques to a single resource in an easily digestible way. Similarly, while Dragon Ball FighterZ uses simplified inputs and was designed to pull in Dragon Ball fans who may have never picked up a fight stick, its movement is intricate enough to create many avenues for expression.

The good news is that what little we’ve seen of Radiant’s game seems to indicate there are many ways to maneuver, and they’ve specifically called out having a suite of movement options as a key design focus. Additionally, its tag system appears as though it could enable tricky setups, potentially creating a sizable skill ceiling where veterans can create hard-to-perform but rewarding offensive sequences. While we still don’t have much to go on, considering the development team’s experience with the genre and their statements about the importance of balancing depth and beginner-friendliness, I’m hopeful that they understand the assignment.

However, although simplified inputs can make these entries more approachable, I believe the single biggest stumbling block with the genre is that they have been criminally bad at teaching newbies. Sure, fighting games are inherently complex, frequently taking a lot of practice and knowledge to grasp. However, this learning process is far more difficult than needed because few games successfully teach players how to play them. Almost all of my understanding of these games has come from reading wikis, forum posts, and Discord channels instead of through in-game tutorials. While something like Mortal Kombat 11 does a great job introducing many complicated topics, I’m still waiting for a novel solution to onboarding that reacts to your play. Perhaps something like an in-game coach that analyzes habits and offers suggestions to improve would be highly beneficial. Another great feature would be something like what’s provided in Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core Plus R (yes, that’s the real full name), where you can enter a replay and then take control of a specific scenario, your opponent’s previous actions reenacted so you can attempt a different approach to the situation.

Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Project L has a low skill floor and high ceiling, I will be impressed if it can do something that almost every other fighting game has failed at, revealing what you don’t know and helping you learn. While I’m not sure this is the one missing piece for this genre to “fully break into the mainstream,” at the very least, I think it would be cool to get additional people in the door. I would love it if more players could reach the point where the appeal finally clicks, and it becomes clear why so many play these games with such fervor, folks gathering from around the world to compete and watch the best. While all that pressure may be too much to put on the shoulders of any one title, I’m interested to see if Project L can help more people experience the joy of fighting games.

Elijah Gonzalez is the games intern for Paste Magazine. In addition to playing the latest indies and AAAs, he also loves film, anime, lit, and creating large lists of media he’ll probably never actually get to. You can follow him on Twitter @eli_gonzalez11.