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Franchise Hub
League of Legends
League of Legends news and esports, Riot Games' flagship MOBA franchise.
About League of Legends
League of Legends is Riot Games' free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), released in 2009 and built around teams of players controlling champions to destroy the opposing team's base. The game became one of the most-played and most-watched competitive video games in the world, anchoring a massive global esports scene centered on the annual League of Legends World Championship.
Riot Games has expanded League of Legends into a much broader media franchise, including the Netflix animated series Arcane, which earned significant critical acclaim and introduced the game's characters and world to a wide audience beyond players.
History
2009
Launch
League of Legends releases as a free-to-play MOBA, drawing inspiration from the Warcraft III mod Defense of the Ancients.
2011–present
Esports growth
The League of Legends World Championship grows into one of the biggest esports events in the world, filling major stadiums and drawing huge global viewership.
2021–present
Media franchise expansion
Riot Games expands League of Legends into other media, most notably the acclaimed Netflix animated series Arcane.
Key People
Brandon Beck
Co-founder of Riot Games
Marc Merrill
Co-founder of Riot Games
Key League of Legends Milestones
| Milestone | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends launch | 2009 | Introduced Riot Games' flagship MOBA |
| First World Championship | 2011 | Began the franchise's flagship annual esports event |
| Arcane season one | 2021 | A critically acclaimed Netflix animated series set in the League universe |
Financials
How It Compares
| Compared To | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Dota 2 | League of Legends and Dota 2 both popularized the MOBA genre from a shared modding lineage, though League has built a larger esports audience and broader media presence, including an animated series. |
| Valorant | Both are Riot Games titles with major esports scenes, but Valorant is a tactical first-person shooter while League of Legends is a team-based strategy MOBA. |
Trivia & Fan Culture
Grew out of a Warcraft III mod
League of Legends' MOBA genre traces its roots to Defense of the Ancients, a community-made mod for Warcraft III that inspired Riot's founders to build a standalone game.
Worlds became a global spectacle
The League of Legends World Championship has grown into one of the most-watched esports events annually, filling major stadiums and drawing huge online viewership.
Expanded into animation
Riot's Arcane, an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, won multiple Emmy Awards and significantly broadened the franchise's audience beyond gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is League of Legends free to play?
Yes, League of Legends is free to play, with revenue generated through cosmetic items and other optional purchases.
Is Arcane connected to the game's story?
Arcane is set within the League of Legends universe and explores the backstories of several in-game champions, though it's designed to be watchable without prior knowledge of the game.
Is League of Legends free to play?
Yes, League of Legends is free to play, with revenue coming primarily from optional cosmetic champion skins and related items.
What is Arcane?
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, produced by Riot Games and French studio Fortiche, which won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards.
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