In League of Legends, there are always many different game modes aside from the main mode, Summoner’s Rift (The Rift of Justice). Notably, Teamfight Tactics has transitioned from a side mode to an essential mechanism. Riot even once considered making TFT a standalone game, and this mode has its own international tournaments attracting players from all over the world. Additionally, we cannot overlook ARAM – a game mode that Riot used to introduce the Volibear rework and which both casual players and professionals choose to “test their skills” with new champions and item builds.
However, this seemingly familiar game mode, often used for players to freely showcase their skills without the pressure of winning or losing like in Ranked Solo, has sparked a heated debate. Specifically, the question is raised: Is ARAM a mode purely for entertainment, or should players also try hard?
According to some players, ARAM is still a mode that has wins and losses. The feeling of losing a match is not something everyone wants to experience. League of Legends is a team game, with only TFT representing the single-player mode. Thus, anyone entering ARAM for the purpose of entertainment and not caring about teammates who are making efforts deserves to be criticized, and after the match, they can be reported just like in any other game mode. In fact, many players tryhard in ARAM just as hard as they do in Ranked.
On the other hand, some argue that ARAM or any game mode, is primarily about entertainment. ARAM itself is just a side mode, and winning or losing does not affect a player’s ranking. Even professional players use ARAM to “test champions,” so there is no reason why everyone should “tryhard,” and whether to put in effort is each player’s choice.
League of Legends is a competitive game, and naturally, with such a nature, there will always be elements of winning and losing. The gaming community is also very diverse, and each person plays games for different reasons. Of course, most players in competitive games will want to compete hard and achieve victories. However, many players simply want to unwind after stressful working or studying hours.
Nevertheless, as the community recognizes, it is essential to clearly differentiate between playing for entertainment and ruining the game, exploiting side modes to frustrate others. Modes like ARAM or URF can easily make players upset when many inconsiderate players want to exploit these modes to satisfy their negative needs and impact the experience of others.
Respecting the needs of individuals and the collective is the most crucial factor in any team game. Whether to tryhard for victory or to enjoy oneself is each person’s choice. However, perhaps before starting a match, players should clarify their mindset as well as that of their teammates, and choose an appropriate approach for the game League of Legends in general or the ARAM mode to fulfill its purpose.