Riot Games will take its entire studio on vacation next week. The company announced today that it will use the week of August 10 to "disconnect, recharge, and reboot," resulting in a slight change to some patches and launch schedules.

"This year has been a big year for Riot for many reasons, and putting the "s" in Riot Games was probably our proudest moment as a company to date, but getting our hands on so many new games is a delicate balance: COVID-19, telecommuting, and the rest of the world. Add in all that's going on, and it can be hard to separate the "work" and "life" parts of the work/life equation," Riot writes.

"As game developers, we are all very aware of the impact of crunch and project-based deadlines. We owe it to ourselves and to you as a team (well, many teams) to prioritize our health so that we can deliver new experiences to you well into the future."

Riot has faced considerable criticism in the past for its treatment of employees, with an employee walkout and an investigation by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing in 2019. Therefore, some may see the high-profile shutdown as part of a push to restore the company's public image. Personally, I am not too concerned about the possibility of employees getting meaningful time off, and especially if it is established as a regular, ongoing ritual.

Specific information regarding delays and rescheduling will be announced by Riot's respective game accounts over the next few days: League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and Valorant.