New season promises are being made again, but limited-time gameplay is not popular, and the five-way peak competition has been complained about.

It's not just corporations; even games, at the end of the year, paint a rosy picture for their audience, outlining their vision and future direction, promising success and breakthroughs. They talk a good game, but whether it can be implemented and how the audience reacts are another matter entirely. In any case, time flies, and two months of Season 41 have passed in the blink of an eye, making everyone sigh at the passage of time. In another month, a new season will begin, bringing new content that is both exciting and bittersweet. The incredible perks of the 10th anniversary celebration will forever remain a classic phenomenon.

A major overhaul of the game inevitably brings anxiety. A complete transformation requires readjusting one's mindset and adapting to new gameplay. The costs are high, but this is, after all, an esports game. If it doesn't keep up with the times and incorporate new elements, it'll just be another old mobile game. When highly playable competitive games emerge, it will easily steal customers away. For Season 42, leaked information includes a matchmaking system revamp and new heroes. Three new characters were officially announced on the day of the co-creation event: Liu Er, Wang Wei, and Da Yu. The most likely candidate is the last one. How to balance and adjust them on a large scale remains to be seen after the test server update. Looking back at the promises made by the developers, how many have they fulfilled? Do you even remember the grand promises they made?

Limited-time gameplay

According to feedback on the forums, the bizarre limited-time gameplay was surprisingly unpopular, while the international server loved it. For example, the new Spirit Treasures added during the Spring Festival were adorable pets with cute appearances, but players had to spend money to unlock more features and outfits. These pets were game assistants, appearing in the lobby, rooms, and even during matches. Of course, everything depended on the Spirit Treasure's level. I remember many players felt it was unfair, as Spirit Treasures followed players in battle, and this involved various factors, including revealing their location and combat power. Despite the simple new gameplay, the reaction was full of concerns. Ultimately, it was replaced with prompts, using voice to remind opponents when they disappeared from sight or when their equipment was complete.

In contrast, the international version is beloved by players who buy blind boxes to obtain costumes. No upgrades are needed; the spirit beasts enter the game and fight alongside you, though they are only summoned for a limited time, offering one of three functions: slow, true damage, or backpack. Initially, the Chinese version introduced new gameplay modes like limited-time equipment and the Moon Corridor in ranked matches, but players felt they weren't truly competitive and were just flashy.