The official reveal of the newest Ultimate skin being added toLeague of Legendshas been met with significant backlash from fans over the pricing of the skin. Throughout the MOBA’s nearly fifteen-year-long lifespan, the game has added thousands of purchasable skins for its massive roster of playable characters. Each new update to the game typically brings a handful of new skins to the game with different unique designs, visual effects, and some even boasting new voice lines. Now, the newest ofthe MOBA’s top tier of skinsis not receiving a warm welcome.Ultimate skins have long been the pinnacle ofLeague of Legendsskins since the pricing tier was first introduced in 2012 with Pulsefire Ezreal. These skins, costing the real-world equivalent of nearly $25, feature significant changes to their characters by adding evolving character models, completely new voice lines, and many more features. The top tier is alsoLeague of Legends' most elusive set of skins with only six Ultimate skins being released so far. Now, the game’s upcoming seventh Ultimate skin is receiving heavy criticism from players.RELATED:Coca-Cola and League of Legends Team Up to Create EXP-Flavored DrinkA series of videos shared by Riot Games Senior VFX Artist Sirhaian officially revealed many of the gameplay animations for the upcoming Soul Fighter Samira. While the skin features flashy animations and effects, many players have called into question whether the re-design qualifies as an Ultimate-tier skin. OnedisgruntledLeague of Legendsfanreferenced a previous developer post when discussing the skin, feeling that Soul Fighter Samira does not meet the “boundary-breaking standards” set by past Ultimate skins. Others have pointed out that many of the special features with the skin have been recycled from past Legendary skins.
The controversy surrounding Soul Fighter Samira would not be the first time Riot Games has elicited backlash for its Ultimate skins. Gun Goddess Miss Fortune’s release in 2018 saw similar reactions from fans with many feeling that the skin did not qualify for the Ultimate threshold, with Riot later reducing the price of the skin. Some fans have speculated that the developer may take a similar approach with Soul Fighter Samira, dropping her price inLeague of Legends' in-game store, but plans to that effect have not been announced at the time of this writing. Soul Fighter Samira is expected to debut with the release of Patch 13.14 on July 19th.
The upcoming Samira skin’s release comes as Riot Games has seen major struggles withLeague of Legends' competitive esports scene throughout the year. The LCS, Riot’s North American professional circuit, found itself in hot water after theLCS Players' Association staged a strikefor better compensation. The competitive league also lost one of its founding members this year as LCS mainstay Counter Logic Gaming was acquired by NRG Esports. Riot Games' Ultimate skin controversy marks the newest entry in a year filled with struggles for the gaming juggernaut.
