TL;DR
- Chronoshift provided free access to 10-year-old League of Legends versions using Riot’s CDN code
- Riot’s security department demanded complete source code surrender and website shutdown
- Developers argued they used publicly available code, not stolen intellectual property
- The project expressed disappointment but acknowledged Riot’s legal rights
- Community support highlighted demand for official legacy server options
League of Legends enthusiasts have expressed significant concern regarding Chronoshift’s termination, a community-driven initiative that enabled access to decade-old MOBA iterations through Riot’s distribution infrastructure. This preservation effort allowed players to experience historical game versions that are no longer officially supported.
The volunteer-developed Chronoshift platform operated without charge, providing nostalgic gameplay by leveraging code accessible through Riot’s Content Delivery Network architecture. However, recent developments saw project contributors disclose on social platforms that Riot Games’ security division issued formal cessation directives.
Riot’s security representative initiated contact with concise communication, directing Chronoshift creators to Discord for further discussion. During these exchanges, identified representative Zed mandated comprehensive intellectual property transfer, including complete website source materials and development codebases.
Following Riot’s official engagement, the Chronoshift web presence became completely inaccessible to users, effectively halting all community operations. This immediate takedown demonstrates the serious legal considerations surrounding unofficial game server operations.
An official statement ending our project:https://t.co/pLQFvzRoNJ
— Chronoshift Project (@ChronoshiftDev)
April 23, 2021
Chronoshift shut down by Riot Zed
Project developers responded to accusations by clarifying their technical approach, emphasizing that utilized code remained publicly accessible through Riot’s official distribution channels. This defense emerged following allegations of unauthorized property appropriation for server creation.
The Chronoshift team conveyed profound disappointment regarding Riot’s handling methodology while simultaneously acknowledging the game developer’s legitimate legal standing to pursue resolution. Initial intentions involved compliance with Riot’s legal framework for continued operation, though this collaborative path now appears closed. Final optimism rests on potential corporate recognition of substantial community interest demonstrated through widespread response to the shutdown announcement.
“Our concluding appreciation extends to all contributors who participated in testing and development phases, demonstrating exceptional dedication to the initiative. We extend gratitude for your unwavering support, enthusiasm and commitment!” the Chronoshift organization stated in their final communication.
Action Checklist
- Research official developer policies regarding community projects before investing development time
- Document all code sources and maintain clear separation between original and third-party code
- Establish transparent communication channels with official developers early in project lifecycle
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Riot plans to shut down fan-made Chronoshift server in LoL Understanding Riot Games' legal shutdown of the Chronoshift legacy server and community impact