Riot Games is fundamentally altering the core gameplay loop of Teamfight Tactics (TFT) with the upcoming launch of Set 17, titled 'Space Gods.' The developers plan to replace the 'Carousel'—a staple mechanic since the game's inception—with a new feature called the Realm of the Gods.
Set design lead Noëmi Couté describes the move as a major experiment for the auto battler. The new system replaces the traditional shared drafting pool with a marketplace where celestial deities provide rewards to players.
Balancing innovation and player friction
Couté noted that the team initially envisioned a much more complex 'carousel bazaar' featuring various interactive shops and social elements. However, technical constraints and the risk of overwhelming players forced a more streamlined approach.
"We tried things like putting augments into the system. That didn't go over very well," Couté said. She cited both technical difficulties and 'change aversion' among the player base as primary reasons for the scaled-back design.
The development team also tested adjustments to round structures and comeback mechanics, but many of these ideas were abandoned to avoid driving players away. Couté admitted that striking a balance between novelty and stability proved difficult on a short development timeline.
"We don't want to cause so much friction that those players are like, 'I don't want to relearn the game. I'm going to play something else,'" Couté said.
Despite the simplified rollout, the team intends to use player data to further evolve the Realm of the Gods. While the original Carousel mechanic is expected to return in Set 18, the developers are focused on ensuring the new celestial marketplace provides the necessary novelty to keep the live-service title competitive.
