Riot Games increases prices by up to 76%: which regions will be most affected?

Popular game developer Riot Games has announced changes in its virtual currency pricing. While many regions are affected, Ukraine is hit hardest with a 76% increase in prices across major games like League of Legends and Valorant.

Riot Games revealed that it will increase the price of virtual currency, which will impact five live games and most regions.

The game developer said these changes are intended to “combat the manipulation we’re seeing in the system and ensure that everyone is playing on a level field. "

According to Riot Games, when prices vary too much it allows for third parties to “exploit these differences using methods like VPNs and server transfers to buy currency at lower prices in one region and sell it for profit in another.”

Riot Games added that in certain areas, a large amount of virtual currency is purchased using third parties or players from outside that area.

Although the company claims that it isn’t thrilled about the changes, Riot Games is simply adjusting prices to accommodate for shifts in exchange rates and local economies, as well as battling third-party sellers of in-game virtual currency.

While many areas are affected by the change, Ukraine will suffer the most as virtual currency prices soar.

In games like League of Legends PC and Teamfight Tactics, Ukrainian players can expect a 73% increase in the price of virtual currency. This is in addition to games like Legends of Runeterra, which will increase by 64% compared to Romania, which will see a 5% increase.

Those who play ‘Valorant’ in Ukraine are expected to pay 66% more for virtual currency, whereas players in Turkey will only see a 15% increase.

The most significant increase for Ukraine will be in ‘League of Legends: Wild Rift’ as prices will increase by a staggering 76%.

According to Gamer Blurb, this sudden increase could deeply impact their chances of purchasing in-game currencies, as many Ukrainian players have been dealing with financial instability since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

This may have far-reaching implications for Riot Games, as many are already upset with what seems to be an unfair price hike for a country dealing with unique economic and socio-political circumstances.

Furthermore, Gamer Blurb believes that Riot Games' sharp increases in pricing could be driving Ukrainian players further away from its content.

What’s perhaps most intriguing about this sudden switch is Riot Games’ attitude toward the conflict and Ukraine’s economic circumstances. The game developer previously set up a fund to help aid the country's humanitarian crisis.

According to Riot Games, it donated “$1,000,000 to support humanitarian efforts in the region and immediately activated in-game fundraisers across League of Legends, VALORANT, Legends of Runeterra, Teamfight Tactics, and Wild Rift to support relief efforts in the region.”

With the help of gamers, Riot Games managed to raise $5.4 million, which was donated to three nonprofit organizations that were helping to aid Ukraine, including International Medical Corps, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, and the Polish Red Cross.

Riot Games published an article on ‘Upcoming Regional Price Updates’ on September 3rd, 2024, just 15 days before the price increase was set to take effect.