The excitement surrounding League of Legends‘ upcoming skin, Quantum Galaxy Zed, is overshadowed by a wave of backlash from players regarding its price and the controversial gacha system used to obtain it.
The new skin, which is slated for release on Feb. 20, 2025, has stirred anger in the community, with many players expressing frustration over Riot Games’ latest monetization approach.
The Quantum Galaxy Zed Skin and Its Price Tag
Announced on February 4, 2025, the Quantum Galaxy Zed skin was immediately met with criticism. While the skin itself is an updated version of the existing Galaxy Slayer Zed, which has been in the game for nearly six years, it will not be available for direct purchase from the shop. Instead, it will be obtainable exclusively through The Sanctum, Riot’s new and controversial gacha system.
For those unfamiliar, The Sanctum operates on a pay-to-roll mechanic, where players spend 400 RP per roll in the hopes of landing valuable rewards. To secure the new S-tier Quantum Galaxy Zed skin, players will need to perform 80 rolls to guarantee the prize. This means that if luck is not on their side, a guaranteed purchase could set them back around $250 USD.
As players pointed out, the 0.5 percent chance to get the skin with each roll further adds to the frustration, leading some to joke that GTA 6—one of the most anticipated video games in recent history—might cost less than this single cosmetic.
One Reddit user summed up the sentiment, saying, “GTA 6 will cost less than this skin. Keep that in mind.” The comparison between a highly anticipated AAA game and a single in-game cosmetic speaks volumes about the frustration with Riot’s new monetization strategy.
Quantum Galaxy Slayer Zed Skin
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The Discontent with Riot’s New Monetization Policies
While Quantum Galaxy Zed is the latest example, it’s part of a larger trend of monetization changes introduced by Riot Games in Season 2025. Players are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the gacha system and other shifts in the game’s economy.
This includes the removal of Hextech Chests, which were once a regular feature in League of Legends, alongside the abundant free skins and shards that many players enjoyed.
In place of these, Riot has implemented battle passes and grind-heavy reward systems, making it more difficult for players to earn rewards without spending money. Players have pointed out that even Wild Rift, the mobile version of League of Legends, still retains the old Hextech Chests system, which only adds to the growing frustration.
“Hextech Chests are still in Wild Rift, but they’re removing them from League? That’s just frustrating,” one Instagram commenter lamented, reflecting a widespread sentiment that League of Legends’ player base feels underserved by the current direction of the game.
The Community’s Growing Frustration
The announcement of Quantum Galaxy Zed has opened the floodgates for critiques about Riot Games’ evolving approach to monetization. Players have voiced their concerns not only about the price but also about the shift away from free-to-play elements towards more pay-to-win or pay-to-access content.
This has left many feeling alienated, especially those who were used to enjoying content through earned progression.
Despite the visual appeal and the updated design of the Quantum Galaxy Zed skin, the price—coupled with the randomness of the gacha system—has made many hesitant to purchase. The sentiment is clear: players are tired of the increasing costs for in-game content, which they feel is becoming more of a money grab rather than a fair and rewarding system.
A Look Ahead
While the Quantum Galaxy Zed skin is set to release soon, it’s clear that Riot Games faces an uphill battle in addressing the mounting discontent from the player base.
The shift toward gacha systems and pay-to-win models is not sitting well with the League of Legends community, and unless Riot rethinks its monetization strategy, it may risk alienating a loyal group of players who have been with the game for years.
Final Thoughts
As for Quantum Galaxy Zed, it remains to be seen whether the skin’s allure will be enough to outweigh the discontent surrounding its astronomical price and the controversial system behind its release. For now, League of Legends players continue to express their frustration over the future of monetization in the game.
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