The new game mode for League of Legends, Dominion, will add more than another map to an existing game. From its capture mechanic to the new items, Dominion presents itself as a strong alternative that can completely eclipse Classic.
In all fairness, Dominion is nothing new to battle arena games. Demigod did it before and while interest on it has waned the concept remains fresh. Many questions arise about the impact of the change: we are moving from simply destoying turrets to capturing points and undertaking quests.
While in Classic a good player is considered on the amount of kills, even though it is hardly the best quality gauge, Dominion shifts perceptions around. Would you rather be in a team with a player that is a great killer or one that always comes up top in captures?
The jump from kill-based to point-based gameplay will help players become more aware of teamwork and less concerned with kill steals. With smaller rewards for kills and more ways of earning gold even team compositions are altered. A carry heavy team may prove an unstoppable force in Summoner’s Rift but could find trouble trying to stop a more balanced opposition in Crystal Scar.
Not only perceptions will be modified by Dominion, the whole game may be at its first true step into evolving into a unique entity. If Dominion proves popular enough, it can become the new standard way of playing League of Legends; leaving Classic as an extra. Considering that Classic is still awaiting another map, new Dominion maps could be the path League of Legends follows.
Additionally, considering the rich gameplay of Dominion, League of Legends could futher distinguish itself from its many, and increasing, competitors. In its new state it will have only Demigod as true competition; in its current state: Heroes of Newerth, Defence of the Ancients 2, Realm of the Titans, Rise of Immortals and more that will surely come, stand in the same field.
While comparisons are unfair we still shouldn’t dismiss the fact that Demigod shipped with eight maps, where any number of players could fight; you weren’t forced to 3v3 or 5v5. You could even go 5v5 on a map recommended for 2v2, making for an exciting and constant struggle.
Furthermore, four game modes were available using those same maps. The result is that the maps might haven’t been perfectly tailored for each game mode but it did provide much needed variety for a game that, essentialy, has you doing the same things every single time.
Does this imply that Demigod is a better game? Well, that’s not really the point. The actual point is that Demigod recognized from the beginning that it needed variety to keep players interested. It may not be relevant to some, but having only two maps to play in means that you’ll be staring at the same bug coming from the mid tower very often.
In fact, the need of variety is the reason why champions are constantly released for League of Legends. Still, for some reason no new map has been released since Twisted Treeline; despite Magma Chamber being announced and then put on hold. Fortunately, now comes Crystal Scar with its new capture-and-hold style. While it won’t be a substitute for new maps it will help to add flexibility to League of Legends constrained gameplay.
Whether Dominion is the new future for League of Legends is up to its millions of players to decide. What is sure is that it’s the biggest improvement the game has seen since it was released. Let’s hope that it gives Riot Games the will to keep adding maps and even game modes to a game with a great fanbase and, already, ample champion roster.