RAID: Shadow Legends interview: Ihor Mishchenko chats about the return of the Community Weeks event
Our long-time readers might remember that last year, we spoke about RAID: Shadow Legends' Community Weeks event with Ihor Mishchenko, Director of the Community Management Department. At the time, it was a new initiative for RAID, and the hope was that it could become an annual celebration of the game's community. And, as you've probably guessed by the very existence of this article, it has become a yearly thing. Twice is a traditional, right?
And so it seemed right to speak with Ihor again about what's changing for this year's Community Weeks.
Hi Ihor, welcome back to Pocket Gamer! During our last interview, you mentioned you hoped the Community Weeks event could become an annual celebration. Now, it's back this year! So, how did players react that made you decide you had to do it again?Thank you, Stephen. It’s great to be back!
The player response last year really blew us away. From the level of engagement to the sheer positivity across our platforms, it was clear the community resonated with being put front and center of the event. We received a significant number of messages from players asking if it would return, which made the decision easy. It had really turned into something meaningful for our players and for us.
How successful were the Community Weeks events compared to other campaigns you run throughout the year?It was among our top-performing campaigns of the year for us in terms of engagement and sentiment. While we run a variety of high-performing marketing and in-game events, this one really stood out because it simultaneously made players feel seen, valued, and celebrated, as well as bringing an incredible gameplay experience.
We saw a clear rise in discussion and user-generated content inspired by the event’s activities, more creators getting involved, and an increase in community participation across Discord, YouTube, and beyond. It showed us that when we shift the spotlight to the community, players respond with enthusiasm, creativity, and loyalty.
Were there any elements of these community-focused events that have made their way into other RAID content since?Absolutely, though I must say that it wasn’t exactly a surprise. It felt more like a powerful confirmation of just how much players value visibility and personal recognition. The community-focused activities we featured during Community Weeks really struck a chord with them and with us.
That experience gave us the clarity and confidence that these types of initiatives truly resonate with our community and have a meaningful impact. Since then, we’ve made a conscious effort to increase the number of community-focused activities throughout the year.
There were quite a few parts to the Community Weeks last year. What would you say worked particularly well? Likewise, was there anything that didn't play out as planned that's been scrapped or tweaked for this year?Highlighting prominent community achievements and personalities, along with the collaborative creation of a thematic Champion, was especially impactful. We believe it helped make the game feel more personal and gave our players a sense of ownership and pride. At the same time, it strengthened the sense of connection within the community, and that’s really the core purpose of an event like this.
That’s why this year, it’s become our main focus. Some of last year’s activities, while well-intentioned, ended up being a bit too complex or niche for some of the mid-level players. So this time, we’ve streamlined the structure, made participation more accessible, and added new interactive elements based directly on player feedback. We think players will feel that difference from day one.
Similarly, is there anything new on the schedule you can tell us about?Without giving too much away, yes!
Headlining this year’s activities, we’re offering all players a brand-new Legendary Champion, Iudex Artor, who can be obtained for free through a special ‘Reward Calendar’ feature that will run throughout the event.
And just like last year, we’ve prepared a surprise for our community, something they’ll discover in the second half of Community Weeks. We won’t spoil the details just yet, but it’s something fresh, and we’re and we’re excited to see how the community responds. We see it as the cherry on top of this year’s celebration.
Will the events take place over six weeks once again? Could you talk us through the schedule?This year, we’re going with a leaner, more focused 4-week format, with meaningful content and activities planned for each week. We’re kicking things off with a community vote to decide one of the major in-game rewards. That’s followed by our new Reward Calendar giveaway, with daily login bonuses and a free Legendary Champion.
Midway through, we’ll roll out gameplay perks like free gear removal and a special event packed with various rewards, including the soul of our thematic Legendary Champion, Iudex Artor. Throughout the event, we’ll continue to spotlight creators and community stories, giving players the recognition they deserve.
And to finish strong, we’ll wrap it all up with a surprise for everyone. It’s a shorter run, but it’s more focused, more dynamic, and designed to keep the momentum going from day one to the final moments.
Are there any plans to create more Community events throughout the year, or is the current plan to keep it as an annual tradition?While Community Weeks will remain our flagship community celebration, we’re actively exploring activations that help build stronger connections within the community.
Whether it’s themed contests, spontaneous shoutouts, or new experiences designed to bring players closer together, the goal is the same. We want to make sure players feel seen, valued, and engaged, not just during the big moments, but throughout the entire year.
