League of Legends introduces Team Builder queue

League of Legends is most fun when you're playing with a good crew, who know how to fill the various roles essential for victory. Riot Games has introduced a new kind of queue designed to help enable that kind of play, even when you're matchmaking with strangers.

Team Builder allows queue members to nominate their chosen role, champion and position before joining a team. Currently in beta, the new queue will be rolled out to regional servers beginning this week; a schedule is available on the League of Legends blog.

Team Builder will be available for unranked Summoner’s Rift matchmaking, although other queues will remain available, and Riot is looking at bringing it to other games modes. It's not coming to ranked matches as yet; Riot acknowledges that ban and pick order mechanics are an important part of the draft process, and isn't yet sure how Team Builder could work with that.

Riot said players shouldn't experience dramatic changes in wait time based on their choices, but said some roles are in higher demand. Estimated wait times should become more accurate as Riot monitors the scheme's implementation.

Thanks, Joystiq.