I’ve been playing League of Legends (LoL) since 2017, making it seven years of gaming by 2024. When I started, LoL wasn't even hosted by Riot Games in Indonesia. Instead, it was managed by Garena, a subsidiary of SEA Group, the company behind Shopee marketplace. Back in those early days, competitive play was alive and well, with Garena and private groups hosting various tournaments. My friends from high school and I even tried our hand at offline competitions. Although we were just a few months into the game and ranked in bronze (the lowest rank at the time), the community spirit, the cheering, and the laughter made those experiences unforgettable.

However, the competitive scene in Indonesia started to decline around 2019. The events became scarce, and the community began to fade. We continued to play, but it was more for fun than competition.

A significant change came in January 2023 when Riot Games took over LoL SEA from Garena. This transition brought noticeable improvements. The server performance improved significantly, with ping times dropping from 60-100ms under Garena to 24-56ms with Riot. Riot also put effort into revitalizing the player base, creating a Discord server and organizing offline events. I attended one such event last year to watch the World Championship Finals featuring T1 vs. Weibo Gaming. The venue was packed, largely due to the presence of 'Faker', the all-time favorite pro player in the T1 team.

Despite these efforts, the enthusiasm seemed to wane after the event. Many players who had left during Garena's tenure had moved on to other games like Dota 2, Mobile Legends, and Valorant. Rebuilding a player base that has shifted to other games is challenging. In Indonesia, Mobile Legends is particularly popular, offering more career opportunities and financial rewards within the local esports industry.

The gaming landscape in Indonesia differs significantly from the global scene. While Valorant is appreciated both locally and globally, with notable Indonesian players like 'PRX f0rsaken' gaining international recognition, LoL struggles to regain its footing. The lack of local appreciation and a dwindling player base lead to longer queue times, making it harder to enjoy the game.

In my view, League of Legends is indeed dying in Indonesia. Other games have taken its place in popularity and player engagement. However, even if the day comes when LoL is no longer playable in my country, I will cherish the memories and friendships forged through this game. This post serves as a reminder of the joy and camaraderie that defined my youth.