Everything We Know About Riot Games’ Upcoming League of Legends MMO so far
Introduction:
Riot Games, the developer behind the popular MOBA game League of Legends, has announced that they are working on a massively-multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMO) set in the fantasy universe of Runeterra. This new game is expected to challenge genre heavyweights like World of Warcraft, Lost Ark, and Final Fantasy. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming League of Legends MMO.
Release Date:
Unfortunately, Riot has yet to lock in any official release date for the League of Legends MMO, though a late 2024 or even early 2025 release window looks likely considering when development began behind the scenes. In 2020, several Riot devs confirmed the MMO’s existence after months of silence, so it’s reasonable to assume a four to five-year development cycle.
Subscription Model:
At this time, it’s unclear whether the League MMO will have a subscription model or be free-to-play. League MMO boss Greg Street has commented on the game’s approach in general terms and said Riot is considering financing the title with cosmetics, similar to other flagship titles like League, VALORANT, and TFT. Street has also stated that players won’t have to worry about “pay-to-win” features no matter what MMO model they choose.
Runeterra Regions:
League of Legends boasts one of the most expansive fantasy worlds in gaming, with Runeterra spanning thirteen diverse regions. Dot Esports expects that some elements from all these places will be in the game. Popular regions like Demacia, Ionia, and the twin cities of Piltover and Zaun are likely to be the focus of the MMO, while fantastical regions like Bandle City, Shurima, and the Shadow Isles will probably be utilized as adventure areas and Raid settings.
Game Map:
Riot has yet to confirm that their new League MMO title will be set in Runeterra, but it is highly likely considering their past development of the fantasy world. The MMO map should look similar to the map in the current MOBA game. However, they have said, the game world is complete.
Classes:
Riot has the perfect setup for their League MMO ready-made with their current champion classes from their flagship MOBA title. There are six primary classes (Controller, Enchanter, Fighter, Mage, Marksman, and Tank) and then between two and three subclasses in each, except for the Marksman which stands alone. Some variation of these classic fantasy roles should be present in the MMO title. In addition, League MMO lead producer Greg Street has said that end-game Raids are one of the most important factors in the title’s development, drawing inspiration from bosses like Baron Nashor, Elder Drake, Krugs, Gromp, and any of the 162 champions in League.
We’ll update you with more news as and when it happens.
