Expert analysis of Asmongold and Shroud’s MMO design insights with actionable leveling strategies
The Community Speaks: MMO Veterans Share Design Concerns
Prominent gaming influencers Asmongold and Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek have articulated specific design elements they hope Riot Games will exclude from their upcoming League of Legends MMO project. Their collective experience across multiple major MMO titles provides valuable insight into common industry pitfalls.
Both content creators specifically targeted monotonous leveling systems that lack clear endgame connections as their primary concern for the developing League of Legends MMO.
Riot Games officially confirmed development of their League of Legends MMO in early 2022. As development intensifies, Greg ‘Ghostcrawler’ Street, the project’s Vice President, actively sought community feedback regarding feature preferences and potential design concerns.
“I’m interested in understanding which features players would prefer not to see implemented, without directly criticizing existing games,” Street explained. “This feedback helps us identify areas where our design decisions might require additional clarification for the community.”
Asmongold’s Three Core Design Complaints
Asmongold presented three specific design elements he hopes Riot will avoid implementing. “Character-specific progression systems rather than account-wide progress, intentionally deploying flawed or dysfunctional mechanics that require later correction, and any form of backward progression that removes player accomplishments.”
These concerns directly reflect pain points he’s repeatedly identified within World of Warcraft’s design philosophy. Naturally, he hopes Riot’s development team will learn from these established industry missteps.
#1: Character-specific progress instead of Account-wide progress
#2: Systems that are obviously flawed or dysfunctional implemented only to be changed/improved later for “content”
#3: Backwards progression (losing items/exp)
— Zack (@Asmongold) May 1, 2022
Practical Insight: Account-wide progression systems significantly reduce player burnout when maintaining multiple characters. Games like Guild Wars 2 demonstrate how shared achievement tracking and mastery systems can preserve character identity while minimizing repetitive grinding.
Shroud’s Knowledge-Based Progression Philosophy
Asmongold wasn’t the only influential voice contributing to the discussion. Shroud also participated, bringing perspectives shaped by thousands of hours across New World, Lost Ark, and World of Warcraft gameplay.
“Leveling,” he stated concisely. “Player power advancement should derive from acquired knowledge and skill development. I envision game worlds where character creation initiates meaningful journeys rather than extended tutorial sequences.”
Asmongold concurred with this perspective while contributing additional economic considerations. “New World demonstrated how crafting activities and resource gathering during leveling phases could meaningfully impact server economies.”
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Design Strategy: Implementing horizontal progression systems that reward game knowledge and mechanical skill creates more engaging gameplay loops than simple experience point accumulation. Games like Eve Online successfully tie economic understanding to player power.
Practical MMO Design Strategies and Common Pitfalls
“Some leveling structure provides value, but it must serve clear purposes and naturally transition players toward endgame objectives,” Asmongold elaborated. The streamers clearly share aligned expectations for Riot’s upcoming MMO project.
I really liked how in New World even the items and profession stuff you would do during leveling would have an impact on the overall economy
While I think some leveling is nice, it should have a purpose and move you towards a greater goal in the endgame simultaneously
— Zack (@Asmongold) May 1, 2022
The project remains in early development phases currently. Specific details regarding content, core systems, feature sets, and release timing remain undisclosed. Players should anticipate extended development timelines before launch.
Nevertheless, early developer engagement with the MMO community represents an encouraging development signal. Successful implementation of these community-informed design principles could position Riot’s MMO as the genre’s next major success story.
Common Pitfall Avoidance: Many MMOs implement leveling as content padding rather than meaningful progression. Ensure early-game activities teach mechanics relevant to endgame raids, PvP, or economic systems. Avoid creating disposable content that players will skip on alternate characters.
Advanced Optimization: Implement scaling systems that allow friends at different progression stages to play together meaningfully. Dynamic level adjustment preserves challenge while enabling social play, a feature successfully implemented in games like Final Fantasy XIV.
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