Dynamic queue creator Lyte leaves Riot Games

League of Legends' dynamic queue represented one of the biggest shifts the game had seen in its seven years of existence. It was an attempt by Riot to ease the toxic nature of games by ensuring players had better-defined roles in game and reliably teaming more premade groups against each other. Now its creator, Jeffrey "Lyte" Lin, has left Riot.

In a tweet this afternoon the long-time Riot employee spoke about his departure.

Goodbye for now, Riot Games
Joining Riot has been one of the most epic quests in my life, but today, that quest comes to an end. Thank you for embarking on this wild roller coaster ride with me. Social design was pretty new in the games and tech industries, and exploring uncharted territory with you has been a thrilling experience.

I've always believed that making League of Legends had to be a collaboration with the community. My friend Ghostcrawler and I have always said that passionate gamers, even angry ones, are gamers that care about the game--just like us. Whether you were in Wood 1 (damn matchmaking!!) or Challenger, we all want League to be the best possible game it can be. Being able to work on a game with such a passionate community has been an honor.

To Riot: When I joined here I was just a kid. A mid-level designer with the opportunity to solve an impossible problem. I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way - and learned so much from them - but the journey has been incredible. To players: keep giving feedback and working with Riot to make League last for another decade, so I can one day teach my future son how to play this crazy game.

I will always remember the impressive and inspirational Rioters who've crossed my path, and a part of me will always be a shopkeeper on the Howling Abyss. Riot will be perpetually on my radar. That said, impossible problems have an irresistible allure to me, and I think it's time for a new challenge. League is in better hands than ever before, and I'm excited to see, as a player, what they'll do next.

I'll be around,
Lyte

The immediate reaction to the news was joy from a small segment of League of Legends fans. Dynamic queue was a lofty goal that occasionally didn't live up to its expectations. It got off on the wrong foot thanks to a spate of pro players mocking the shift on social media early into its launch. Initially queues were pairing pros with players far below their skill level, which resulted in games that were far too easy and low MMR gains for the top players.

This carried on into the community at large, which quickly condemned Dynamic Queue as a mistake and made Lyte's its poster child for the problem. Inside of Riot his role was the Lead Designer of Social Systems, part of which was attempting to make the game less hostile at all levels. He spoke with Polygon about his vision for the game when Dynamic Queue launched last year.

It's unclear who will take over Lyte's role at Riot, but his efforts to make League of Legends a less toxic game are worth being lauded, even if all his plans were never realized or had hitches.