It’s not actually League of Legends 2: Stop calling big game updates sequels

Something has been bothering me since 2022, when Blizzard announced Overwatch 2. Then it happened again with Counter-Strike 2. And now League of Legends 2. But let’s be real: These are not sequels – these are just somewhat large updates.

When Blizzard first announced Overwatch 2, I already didn’t feel like it was necessary. Even the promised (and canceled) campaign stuff wasn’t enough to justify a sequel. Isn’t that just an expansion?

Developers explained that there would be a massive overhaul to the gameplay, including a switch to 5v5, and that the heroes would be getting kit updates to coincide with this new one-tank team format. So, like… A big patch?

But the weapon sounds would be updated! So… A quality of life fix?

In the end, we got Overwatch 2 anyway and we had to pay for it, despite it not having more than half of what was promised. Following that trend, we got Counter-Strike 2, which is just Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with better visuals. But it’s made on a new engine, Source 2, so there’s that.

Then, it was rumored that we were getting League of Legends 2. Ug, not again. Leaks claimed big things are coming. All 23094723894 champions would get massive overhauls and redesigns. The works.

Again… A big patch.

Now, the reality: Visual updates and upgraded tech. Honestly, nowhere near as expansive and exciting. Riot just wants the game to look and work better so new players will buy skins. I can’t say I blame them, but let’s not call this League of Legends 2. Or “League Next.” Let’s just call it what it is: League of Legends getting a big update.

Let’s cut the marketing shenanigans and be real

I’m assuming that publishers and gamers call these big overhauls “Overwatch 2” and “Counter-Strike 2” to make it sound exciting and massive. This isn’t just an update, it’s an entirely new game! It’s exciting! It’s a whole new experience! I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder! Indescribable feelings!

It gets the publications to write about it, like us! VIEWS! VIEWS! VIEWS! It gets the Reddit threads going nuts. Arguing. Speculating. Making X-rated fan art. LET’S STOP REVIEW BOMBING LEAGUE OF LEGENDS ON STEAM, IT’S FINALLY GETTING A BIG SEQUEL, FOLKS!

We don’t actually know 100% if League Next will be a “sequel” or if it’s just an internally used phrase for the massive update to the existing game. Maybe we weren’t supposed to even see the words “League Next” at all.

So I can’t say Riot is doing the same thing as Blizzard just yet. This is more a general point to leakers, publications, publishers, whoever: These are not sequels. These are the same game. These are just updates. And not even very interesting ones.

Needed? Usually. Somewhat. Exciting? Meh.

Also, 2027? Really? You expect us to keep talking about a big League of Legends update for a whole year? Ug. Enough with League Next for now. Let’s focus on League Now. Or just move on to a game with actually interesting stuff happening.

Didn’t Marvel Rivals just get a new buttcheek-baring skin?