In a move aimed at combating resellers and addressing global economic fluctuations, Riot Games has announced substantial price increases for its virtual currencies in various regions, with Ukraine facing the steepest hike. The changes will take effect on September 18, impacting in-game purchases across multiple titles.
Ukraine Hit Hardest
Ukraine will experience price surges ranging from 64% to 76% across all Riot Games titles, including:
- League of Legends: 74% increase.
- Legends of Runeterra: 64% increase.
- Valorant: 66% increase.
- Wild Rift: 76% increase.
Global Economic Factors and Reseller Tactics
Riot Games periodically reviews and adjusts microtransaction pricing to counteract resellers who exploit regional price differences. However, this approach may overlook significant income disparities between nations, potentially creating an uneven financial burden for players in lower-income countries.
Other Regions Affected
While Ukraine faces the largest increase, other regions will also see substantial price rises:
- Brazil: 14-20% increase
- Philippines: 40% increase for League of Legends
- Taiwan: 33% increase for League of Legends
- Turkey: 15-63% increase across games
Riot Games’ Official Statement
Smiley Joe from Riot Games addressed the Ukraine price increase on Reddit, citing the need to combat resellers who took advantage of previous price exemptions. For a comprehensive list of price adjustments, visit Riot Games’ official blog post.
