Riot Games has recently intensified its crackdown on account boosting in League of Legends, triggering sharp exchanges between developers and players who rely on these practices for income. One player who built a career around boosting and coaching players voiced concern over losing revenue, only to receive a pointed response from Riot’s Director of Product, Drew Levin, who humorously suggested a career move to McDonald’s. This interaction spotlights Riot’s firm stance against account boosting and highlights ongoing efforts to preserve competitive integrity in the game.
Riot Games’ Strong Move Against League of Legends Boosting
In August 2025, Riot Games announced a significant update aimed at combating smurf and boosting abuses within League of Legends, one of the most popular MOBAs worldwide. This update includes stringent bans on players who boost others’ accounts by grinding ranked progress on their behalf and charging fees for this service. Such boosting factories have proliferated on platforms globally, with even high-profile figures like Elon Musk admitting to using boosting services in other games.
Key features of Riot’s crackdown include:
- Implementing the 25.18 patch with strict bans on accounts involved in boosting.
- Penalizing players who promote or participate in the boosting economy.
- Restricting the use of smurf accounts to maintain fair matchmaking.
This regulatory push aims to reduce the “Boosting Factory” networks and discourage services facilitating score inflation across ranks. The move follows growing community demands for fair play, and it signals Riot’s commitment to uphold game integrity.
Player Reaction and Developer’s Response
A Twitter user known as SLS replied directly to Drew Levin, confessing that their main income is derived from boosting accounts and coaching League of Legends players. SLS lamented the impending loss of revenue and sarcastically asked if working at McDonald’s was the next step. Levin responded by sharing a direct link to McDonald’s careers page, reinforcing the message that boosting harms the game’s ecosystem.
Levin’s pointed remarks included:
- Highlighting that the boosting industry ruins the gaming experience for others.
- Stating Riot’s intent to improve the fairness of skill evaluation systems.
- Dismissal of boosting as a legitimate “industry,” framing it rather as exploitation.
This exchange underscores Riot Games’ rejection of account boosting and signals ongoing efforts to dismantle these practices rather than enabling their persistence.
Broader Impact on the Gaming and Fast Food Industries
The boosting crackdown reverberates beyond the gaming community, especially as Riot Games indirectly referenced jobs in the fast food sector like McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, Five Guys, KFC, and Jack in the Box as alternative employment options. This provokes reflection on the cultural perceptions of fast food workers, emphasizing the demands and dedication required in these roles.
Considering fast food jobs reveals:
- These roles require significant stamina and patience.
- They are often undervalued despite their societal importance.
- Cultural shifts could lead to better pay and respect for fast food employees.
Suggesting a fast food career to a disgruntled booster may spark debates about career paths in 2025 and the importance of recognizing all labor sectors fairly.
Maintaining Integrity in League of Legends Rankings
Riot’s latest update also focuses on maintaining skill integrity in Ranked matchmaking. Boosters undermine this system by artificially inflating player ranks, which affects the experience and fairness for genuine competitors. Riot expects these measures to scare off customers for boosting services and to gradually eliminate smurfing abuses.
Players should note:
- Boosting risks account bans under the new 25.18 patch.
- Smurfing could become less effective as detection improves.
- Coaching remains a legitimate way for players to improve without risking bans.
This approach ensures that every player’s rank reflects true skill, improving matchmaking fairness overall. For a detailed look at ranked dynamics and accounts, check this comprehensive guide to League of Legends Season 3.
Survival Tips for Players Amid Riot’s New Policies
Players looking to thrive under Riot’s strengthened policies should adopt safe and ethical gameplay practices. For example, off-peak gaming reduces exposure to reports and detection systems. Coaching, rather than boosting, offers a sustainable improvement path. Additionally, players can explore other games or modes to diversify their experience.
Recommended strategies include:
- Focusing on personal skill development through coaching and guides.
- Engaging with community resources and cheat sheets such as tips for gaming improvements.
- Avoiding transactions with boosting services to prevent bans.
Combining these tactics enhances competitive integrity and protects player accounts from penalties.