This latest patch brought with it a new queue system to help with the “Server Busy” downtimes, putting players into a queue with an estimated time that they could log in. Problem is, it doesn’t always work so well. In my experience, I’m still seeing the busy screen and remain unable to reach the queue until I mash F5 or bypass the busy server.
Once past the launcher, the login queue seems extremely erratic. At one point, I had an estimated login of 10 minutes or so and got into the queue immediately. This afternoon, I saw the screen pictured. Yes, indefinite approximate wait. Granted, I think this was a bug, but it’s one of many, and that doesn’t even get at one of the queue’s biggest problems.
The LoL client can be pretty buggy for certain people. I rarely have problems beyond random chat disconnects, but I’ve seen the occasional Bug Splat crash. When that happens during the queue period, there’s no reconnecting. You’re stuck waiting in line until you can get back in and hopefully recover from the disconnect. In most cases, though, I’d bet you just get a leave mark, and that’s not so cool.
There are definitely some things I think Riot needs to address with the system. It’s a good idea, and the times that the crash-to-queue situation should be relatively rare, but when it happens on an individual level, it’s a pretty terrible experience.
