Skin: What are skins in game and how to get them?

Skins are cosmetic items you can apply to your characters or their weapons to make them appear different than they usually would. While most games have you pay in-game premium currency to buy skins (such as Overwatch 2), some allow players to win skins using other methods, such as getting skin shards from Hextech chests in League of Legends or completing agent contracts in Valorant to be rewarded with weapon skins.

Unfortunately, in most cases, the only way to get a specific skin you want is to purchase them using an in-game currency, usually premium currency that you have to buy using actual money.

In a majority of games, skins do not do anything to affect your gameplay and are purely for aesthetic purposes. Despite that, developers such as Riot get a huge chunk of their total revenue from players purchasing skins.

Do skins provide any advantages?

Skins in games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are typically considered to be cosmetic items, which means that they do not provide any gameplay benefits or advantages to players. Skins are used to change the appearance of a player's in-game character, weapons, or other items, and they are purely for aesthetic purposes. While some players may value certain skins highly and may be willing to pay a premium to acquire them, skins do not provide any advantages in terms of gameplay. This is to ensure that the game remains fair and balanced, and that players cannot gain an unfair advantage by purchasing skins. However, it is important to note that some games may have special skins or items that do provide gameplay benefits, but these are typically not considered to be "skins" in the traditional sense.

When were skins introduced?

In League of Legends

Skins were introduced in League of Legends in November of 2009. The introduction of skins marked a major change to the game's mechanics, as it gave players the ability to customize their champions and tailor them to their preferences. Prior to the introduction of skins, players had limited options for customizing their champions, and their appearance was determined by their champion's base stats and abilities. The introduction of skins allowed players to change the appearance of their champions, weapons, and other items, and it gave players more control over the way their champions looked in the game. Since their introduction in 2009, skins have become an integral part of the game, and they are widely used by players to express their personal style and show off their in-game achievements.

In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Skins were introduced in the game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in August of 2013. The introduction of skins was a major update to the game, and it marked the beginning of the game's "Arms Deal" update, which added a wide range of new skins and other cosmetic items to the game.

In Dota 2

Skins were added to Dota 2 in May 2013. The update, called "The International," introduced a wide range of new skins and other cosmetic items. Before the update, players could only customize their heroes' abilities. The skins allowed them to change the appearance of their heroes, giving them more control over their in-game appearance. Since their introduction, skins have become a popular way for players to show off their personal style and in-game achievements.

Which games have the most expensive skins?

The game with the most expensive skins is likely to vary depending on the specific criteria used to determine the "most expensive" skins. Some factors that could be used to determine the most expensive skins include the prices that players are willing to pay for the skins, the rarity of the skins, or the number of in-game items or features that the skins unlock. Based on these criteria, some of the games that are known for having expensive skins include:

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO): CS:GO is a popular first-person shooter game that is known for its wide range of weapon skins and other cosmetic items. Some of the most expensive CS:GO skins include the AWP Dragon Lore skin, which has sold for over $61,000, and the M4A1-S Hyper Beast, which has sold for over $40,000.
• Dota 2: Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that is known for its wide range of character skins and other cosmetic items. Some of the most expensive Dota 2 skins include the Arcana items, which are rare and exclusive items that can only be obtained through special events or promotions. The most expensive Dota 2 Arcana item, the Earthshaker Arcana, has sold for over $38,000.
• League of Legends: League of Legends (LoL) is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that is known for its wide range of character skins and other cosmetic items. Some of the most expensive LoL skins include the Championship Riven skin, which has sold for over $10,000, and the PAX Twisted Fate skin, which has sold for over $7,500.