Riot is currently testing a new control scheme for League of Legends. On the test servers, players can now experience a different way to play LoL. Many are wondering how significant the change will be for the game. Twitch streamer NoWay sees it as a big advantage.
What is this new control scheme? In mid-August, Riot announced in a developer video that they plan to introduce a new control scheme using WASD. You would control the character with the keys instead of the mouse. This is intended to be introduced as an optional way of playing to simplify the entry for newcomers.
You can already test the control scheme on the PBE, the test server of LoL. Many streamers and professionals have already looked at the feature, including NoWay. Although he was initially unsure about how strong the new control scheme would be, he is now fairly confident: the WASD control will help newcomers.
Learn more about NoWay here:
Riot wants to attract newcomers and not push them away
What does NoWay say about the WASD control scheme? In a YouTube clip on his channel Variety4u, the streamer spoke about the new control scheme and his thoughts on it. He clarifies upfront: The new control scheme is a necessary and important step
that would lower the entry barrier of the game. It simplifies the learning process, it simplifies certain mechanics at a low level.
He also does not believe that the new control scheme will be unfair. While there are champions like Kog’Maw or Jinx who could benefit from optimal kiting made possible by the control scheme, this would not apply to most. Riot would balance champions who truly benefit from it with an artificial delay. They have already confirmed this themselves.
According to NoWay, the feature is oriented towards newcomers, who they also want to attract with a new dynamic camera. LoL is like other MOBAs incredibly overloaded and difficult to play and learn.
This is a significant problem for the game, and at the same time, it is essential to bring new players into the game. He even believes that mouse and keyboard will continue to be the stronger inputs.
NoWay compares the control scheme to the modern controls of Street Fighter 6. There, a simplified control scheme enables beginners to perform skills and combos without complicated inputs. However, they cannot execute all moves of a character. The control scheme in Street Fighter allows beginners to have fun without much training time. Basic mechanics must still be learned.
Overall, NoWay believes that LoL is currently doing a lot right to make life easier for new players. Smurfs are still an issue that he believes needs to be addressed.
Is what NoWay says true? Even if you are a large online game, it is important to attract new players. This leads to more revenue and revitalizes the community. Attracting newcomers is quite challenging for a MOBA, and Riot’s approaches are good. As NoWay says in the video, in the end, you just have to wait and see.
LoL is a complex game, and a new control scheme can affect not only individual champions; you never know what secret mechanics players might discover. For regular players, not much is likely to change; however, in the professional area, it will be seen whether players embrace the new control scheme or stick to the old ways. The LoL team of HandOfBlood has to face other problems: LoL team of HandOfBlood reveals master plan against impending relegation to the 2nd league
