Ever wonder if all those late-night League of Legends sessions are starting to add up? Maybe you're starting to think, "Man, I really waste time lol playing this game." Let's cut through the speculation and figure out not just how much time you've sunk into the Rift, but also how much money. Knowing both can be a real eye-opener.
At a glance:
- Discover how to check your total playtime in League of Legends.
- Understand why tracking both time and money spent can motivate better spending habits.
- Learn about third-party tools for playtime tracking and their accuracy.
- Find out how to balance enjoying LoL with managing your resources effectively.
- Get practical tips to reduce your spending without sacrificing the fun.
Time Flies When You're… Flaming? The Real Cost of LoL Playtime
It's easy to lose track of time when you're grinding ranked or trying out the latest champion. You might playfully accuse yourself of 'waste time lol' after a particularly long session. But how much time are we really talking about? And how does that translate into the value we're getting from the game? Understanding your playtime is the first step in making informed decisions about your gaming habits.
Finding Your Hidden Hours: How to Check Your LoL Playtime
Riot doesn't directly offer a built-in feature to track total playtime across your entire League of Legends career. This is where third-party playtime trackers come in. These sites estimate your playtime by analyzing your match history through Riot's API (Application Programming Interface). Here’s how it generally works:
- Enter Your Summoner Name and Region: Go to a reputable LoL playtime tracker website.
- Let the Tool Work Its Magic: The site will query Riot's API to access your match history.
- Receive Your Estimated Playtime: The tracker will then calculate the total time spent in matches.
Important Considerations:
- Accuracy: These tools aren't perfect. Accuracy depends on whether your match history is public and how complete the data is. Some older matches might not be fully accessible.
- Privacy: Be cautious about the sites you use. Stick to well-known trackers with clear privacy policies to minimize the risk of sharing your data with shady operators.
- Limitations: Playtime is usually calculated based on time in matches, not time spent in the client, queuing, or browsing the store.
Why Bother Tracking Your Playtime? The "Time is Money" Perspective
Tracking your LoL playtime isn't just about satisfying curiosity. It's about understanding the investment you're making in the game. Here's why it matters:
- Value Assessment: By comparing your total playtime with how much money you've spent, you can calculate a "cost per hour" of entertainment. Is that expensive skin worth it if you're only playing a few hours a month?
- Time Management: Seeing the sheer number of hours you've dedicated to LoL can be a wake-up call. It might prompt you to re-evaluate how you're spending your free time and prioritize other activities.
- Pattern Recognition: Tracking your playtime over time can reveal patterns in your gaming habits. Are you playing more during stressful periods? Are you neglecting other responsibilities?
Case Snippet: Maria's Wake-Up Call
Maria, a college student, discovered she had spent over 2,000 hours on LoL in the past two years. While she enjoyed the game, the realization that she could have used that time to learn a new skill or work on her side hustle led her to set playtime limits and allocate more time to her studies and personal projects.
From Skins to Summoner Icons: What's Draining Your Wallet?
You've checked your playtime, and now you're ready to face the music concerning your spending. It's time to find out exactly how much you've invested in League of Legends. The good news is that Riot provides a tool to help.
Riot's "Show Me the Money": Your Official Spending Report
Riot’s "Show Me the Money" tool is the most direct and reliable method to see your total spending. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Navigate to Riot Support: Go to Riot's official support website.
- Log In: Sign in with your Riot Games account credentials.
- Click the Button: Find and click the "Show Me the Money" button.
The tool will then display the total amount you've spent across all Riot games linked to that account, including League of Legends.
A Word of Caution: Third-Party Spending Calculators
While there might be third-party websites claiming to calculate your LoL spending, it's best to avoid them. These sites often require you to enter your account credentials, which can compromise your account security. Riot's official tool is the safest and most accurate option.
What's Included (and Excluded) in the Spending Report
The "Show Me the Money" tool provides a comprehensive overview of your spending, but it's crucial to know what's included and what's not:
Included:
- RP purchases (including purchased RP and RP via Valorant Points, TFT Coins or League+)
- Champions
- Skins
- Event Passes
- Emotes
- Icons
- Ward Skins
- Chromas
- Borders
- Little Legends (TFT)
- Esports team bundles
- Redeemed RP cards
Excluded: - Blue Essence purchases
- Mission Rewards
- Honor Orbs
- Prime Gaming Drops
Calculate my League of Legends spend
Understanding what's tallied is essential for a complete picture. For example, even though Blue Essence isn't tied to real-world spending, it still reflects time invested to unlock champions and other content. To see a full picture, check out Calculate my League of Legends spend.
Stop the Bleeding: Practical Tips to Control Your LoL Spending
So, you've seen the numbers—both time and money. Now what? If you're like many players, you might be surprised (or even shocked) by how much you've spent on LoL. The good news is that you can take steps to control your spending without sacrificing the enjoyment of the game.
Setting Boundaries: Monthly Budgets and Payment Methods
- Establish a Monthly RP Budget: Decide how much you're willing to spend on RP each month and stick to it. Use prepaid RP cards to avoid overspending.
- Remove Saved Payment Methods: Manually entering your payment information each time you make a purchase can discourage impulse buys.
- Set Spending Reminders: Use your phone or calendar to remind you of your budget limits.
Mastering the Sales Cycle: Smart Buying Strategies
- Your Shop: Every few months, "Your Shop" offers personalized discounts on skins based on your most-played champions. Take advantage of these deals to get the skins you want at a lower price.
- Essence Emporium: Twice a year, the Essence Emporium allows you to purchase rare items with Blue Essence, including chromas, icons, and ward skins. Save up your Blue Essence to snag these exclusive items.
- Early Sales: Most skins go on sale approximately six months after their release. Be patient and wait for the skins you want to go on sale.
Making the Most of Freebies: Earning Rewards Without Spending
- Hextech Crafting: Participate in events and missions to earn Hextech Chests and Keys. You can use these to unlock skin shards, which can be upgraded to permanent skins.
- Prime Gaming: If you're an Amazon Prime member, link your account to Riot Games to receive monthly rewards, including skin shards and other goodies.
- Events Without Passes: Even without buying event passes, most events offer free tokens that can be exchanged for orbs or chromas.
- Microsoft Rewards: Accumulate Microsoft Rewards points by completing tasks and redeem them for RP cards.
- Partner Programs: Keep an eye out for giveaways and promotions from Alienware Arena, Red Bull, and other Riot partners.
The Refund Token Strategy: Use Them Wisely
You have three lifetime refund tokens that allow you to return eligible purchases within 90 days. Use them strategically to get refunds on skins or champions you regret buying.
Avoid Accidental Purchases: Enable Purchase Confirmation
Enable the purchase confirmation setting in the LoL client to prevent accidental purchases. This will require you to confirm each purchase before it's processed, giving you a chance to think twice.
Quick Answers: Common Questions About LoL Spending
Q: I checked "Show Me the Money" and it says "0 USD." Is this accurate?
A: Not necessarily. If you have an older account, it might not be fully synced with the tool. Submit a support ticket to Riot Games to request a complete spending history.
Q: Can I get a refund on a skin I bought years ago?
A: No, you can only refund purchases within 90 days using your refund tokens.
Q: Does the "Show Me the Money" tool include everything I've ever spent on LoL?
A: It includes RP purchases, gifts, event passes, and TFT Coins. It excludes Blue Essence purchases, mission rewards, honor orbs, and Prime Gaming drops.
Q: How often should I check my LoL spending?
A: If you're on a tight budget, check your spending monthly. Otherwise, a quarterly check-in is a good way to stay aware of your spending habits.
Q: What happens if I remove my credit card from my Riot account?
A: Removing your credit card will prevent future charges, but your past spending history will still be recorded.
Q: Is buying RP worth it?
A: That depends on your individual preferences and budget. RP is primarily used for cosmetic items, so it's a matter of personal taste. Calculate your cost per hour of gameplay to assess the value you're getting.
Take Control of Your Rift Experience
Taking a hard look at your playtime and spending in League of Legends can be a sobering experience. However, it's also an opportunity to make informed decisions about your gaming habits and ensure that you're getting the most enjoyment out of your investment. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined above, you can control your spending, manage your time, and continue to enjoy the game responsibly. So, next time you think "I waste time lol", you'll have the data to decide if it's really worth it.