League of Legends (LoL), often called League, is a multiplayer online battle arena video game created and published by Riot Games. It was inspired by Defense of the Ancients, a custom map for Warcraft III. Riot Games wanted to make a separate game in the same style. Since its release in October 2009, League has been free to play, with players earning money through buying character customization items. The game is available for Windows and macOS computers.
In the main game mode, Summoner's Rift, two teams of five players compete against each other. Each player controls a character called a "champion," which has special abilities and play styles. During a match, champions gain strength by earning experience points, collecting gold, and buying items to defeat the opposing team. Teams protect their base and win by attacking the enemy base and destroying a large structure inside it called the "Nexus."
League of Legends has received mostly positive reviews, with praise for its ease of use, character designs, and quality of production. Over time, the game has been re-evaluated by critics, who now consider it one of the greatest video games ever made. However, problems with rude or abusive behavior from some players have continued, even after Riot Games tried to address the issue. In 2019, the game reached eight million players at the same time. Its popularity has led to related content, such as music, comic books, short stories, and the animated series Arcane. The game's success has also inspired other games, including a mobile version, a digital collectible card game, and a turn-based role-playing game. A massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) based on the game is currently being developed.
League of Legends is the world's largest esports game, with global competitions organized in regional leagues that end in an annual event called the League of Legends World Championship. In 2019, the event had over 100 million unique viewers, with 44 million watching at the same time during the finals. Events are shown on websites like Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, and the sports channel ESPN.
Gameplay
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players control characters called "champions." Each champion has special abilities and is viewed from a side angle. During a match, champions earn experience points (XP) by defeating enemies, which helps them level up. Players can buy items to strengthen their champions using gold. Gold is earned over time by defeating enemies or structures. In the main game mode, Summoner's Rift, items are purchased from a shop located in the team's base. Each match is separate; progress like levels and items does not carry over to other matches.
Summoner's Rift is the most popular game mode in League of Legends and is widely used in professional play. Players are matched based on their skill level, and their starting rank is determined by this system. There are ten skill tiers, with the lowest being Iron, Bronze, and Silver, and the highest being Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger.
Two teams of five players compete to destroy the enemy team's "Nexus," which is protected by enemy champions and structures called "turrets." Each team's Nexus is located in their base, where players begin the game and return after dying. Non-player characters called "minions" spawn from each team's Nexus and move along three lanes (top, middle, and bottom) toward the enemy base. Each base has three "inhibitors" behind the third tower in each lane. Destroying an inhibitor allows stronger minions to appear in that lane and weakens the enemy's defenses. The area between the lanes is called the "jungle," where "monsters" respawn regularly. Killing monsters gives gold and XP, similar to killing minions. A special type of monster lives in the river between the jungles. These monsters require teamwork to defeat and grant powerful effects, such as summoning a strong unit, boosting team strength, or creating stronger minions.
Matches in Summoner's Rift can last between 15 minutes and over an hour. Players typically follow common strategies: one player in the top lane, one in the middle lane, one in the jungle, and two in the bottom lane. Players in lanes gain gold and XP by defeating minions and try to stop opponents from doing the same. A "jungler" focuses on killing jungle monsters and helps teammates when strong enough.
In addition to Summoner's Rift, League of Legends has two other permanent game modes. ARAM ("All Random, All Mid") is a five-versus-five mode played on a map called Howling Abyss. It has only one lane, no jungle, and randomly assigns champions to players. Because the map is small, players must avoid enemy attacks carefully.
Teamfight Tactics is an auto battler game released in June 2019 and made permanent the following month. Players build teams and battle to be the last remaining team. Units fight automatically on a board, and players do not directly control combat. The game is available on iOS, Android, and can be played with Windows and macOS versions.
Other game modes are available temporarily, often tied to in-game events. Ultra Rapid Fire (URF) mode was a short-lived April Fools' Day joke in 2014. In this mode, champions had no ability costs, faster attacks, and reduced cooldowns. However, the mode was not reintroduced because it caused player fatigue and was too difficult to balance. Other temporary modes include One for All, where all team members use the same champion, and Nexus Blitz, where players compete in mini-games on a smaller map.
Development
Riot Games was founded by Brandon Beck and Marc Merill, who wanted to create a game that would be supported for a long time. Their idea was inspired by Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a popular mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. To play DotA, users had to buy Warcraft III and install extra software. Some critics, like Brian Crecente of The Washington Post, said DotA was hard to set up and lacked polish. Blizzard Entertainment, the company that made Warcraft III, supported the game with an expansion pack but later focused on other projects. Beck and Merill wanted to make a game with better long-term support.
To find talent, Beck and Merill held a DotA tournament at the University of Southern California. At the event, they met Jeff Jew, who later became a producer for League of Legends. Jew knew DotA well and taught others how to play during the tournament. Beck and Merill invited him to join Riot Games as an intern. They also recruited Steve Feak, one of DotA’s designers, and Steve Mescon, who ran a website to help DotA players. Feak said early development of League of Legends was similar to creating DotA, with many changes and tests.
A version of League of Legends built using the Warcraft III engine was completed in four months and shown at the 2007 Game Developers Conference. However, investors were not interested because the game used a free-to-play model and had no single-player mode. Publishers wanted a retail version of the game and were unsure about the free-to-play model, which was not common outside of Asia. In 2008, Riot Games partnered with Tencent, a Chinese company, to launch the game in China.
League of Legends was officially announced on October 7, 2008, for Microsoft Windows. Closed beta testing started in April 2009, with 17 champions available at launch. Riot originally planned to release 20 champions but added more before the full release in North America on October 27, 2009. The game’s full name was League of Legends: Clash of Fates, but the subtitle was removed before launch.
The game receives regular updates called patches. These updates change how strategies work in the game, known as the metagame. Riot standardized its update schedule in 2014, releasing patches every two to three weeks. Updates are based on gameplay data and the game’s goals.
The development team includes hundreds of designers and artists. In 2016, the music team had four composers and producers creating audio for the game. As of 2025, the game has 172 champions, and Riot regularly updates the oldest ones. A Mac version of the game was released in 2013.
Since 2023, League of Legends uses Riot’s custom anti-cheat software called Vanguard, which requires access to a device’s kernel. Some users found this intrusive, but Riot said the software does not collect user data. A small number of players reported issues with their devices after Vanguard was introduced.
In December 2025, Bloomberg News reported that Riot Games was planning a major update called "League Next." Riot responded by saying they would replace the game’s client, improve onboarding for new players, and update visuals. Both the report and Riot’s response emphasized making the game easier for beginners.
League of Legends uses a free-to-play model, earning money by selling cosmetic items that do not affect gameplay. Players can buy in-game currency called Riot Points (RP) to purchase items like skins, which change a champion’s appearance. Skins range in cost from $4 to $25. In 2024, Riot added a new tier of luxury skins that cost between $200 and $430. Players buy attempts to win these skins through a slot machine system. Some players criticized this as unfair, and the first skin in this tier was seen as a recycled version of an existing design.
After announcing a $430 skin to honor professional gamer Faker, Riot also announced layoffs, which upset players. In 2025, Riot introduced a new skin requested by players, but critics called the strategy "whale chasing" and "psychological manipulation." Analysts said the approach encouraged players to spend more money.
In November 2024, Riot announced changes to player rewards, calling the game’s systems "needlessly complex." This caused backlash, with some players claiming they would need to play over 800 hours to unlock a champion. Riot later admitted a mistake in their calculations and reversed some changes, including lowering the cost to buy champions and reintroducing "hextech chests," a loot box system.
Before 2014, players in League of Legends were called "Summoners," who controlled champions in battles to prevent a war. Sociologist Matt Watson said the game’s story lacked political themes found in other role-playing games and was overly simplified.
Reception
League of Legends received mostly positive reviews when it was first released, according to Metacritic, a website that collects game reviews. Many publications highlighted the game’s high replay value, meaning players could enjoy it for a long time. Kotaku reviewer Brian Crecente praised how different items changed how champions played. Quintin Smith of Eurogamer agreed, saying the game allowed players to try many different strategies. Comparing it to Defense of the Ancients (DotA), Rick McCormick of GamesRadar+ said playing League of Legends felt like choosing freedom over perfection.
Because of its origins, reviewers often compared it to DotA. GamesRadar+ and GameSpot said the game would feel familiar to players who had already played DotA. The game’s creative character designs and bright colors made it stand out from other games. Smith noted that while there were few negative points, Riot Games had not yet fully improved on DotA’s design.
Although Crecente liked the game’s free-to-play model, Ryan Scott of GameSpy criticized how non-paying players had to work hard to unlock important features, calling it unfair in a competitive game. Many outlets said the game was not fully developed. A physical version of the game was sold in stores, but GameSpot’s Kevin VanOrd said buying it was not a good idea because it included $10 in store credit for a store that no longer existed. German site GameStar said the bonuses in that version were not available until after the launch and did not review the game fully. IGN’s Steve Butts compared the launch to the poor release of CrimeCraft in 2009, saying some features from the beta version were removed even for players who bought the retail version. Players also faced long wait times to find matches, and GameRevolution mentioned annoying bugs.
Some reviewers discussed the game’s early community issues. Crecente wrote that players were often closed-minded and complained a lot when they lost. Butts suggested that League of Legends inherited some of DotA’s players, who were known for being unfriendly to new players.
Regular updates to the game led some outlets to change their opinions. IGN’s second reviewer, Leah B. Jackson, said the website’s original review was outdated. GameSpot increased its score from 6 to 9, and IGN raised its score from 8 to 9.2. Steven Strom of PC Gamer called the variety of champions “fascinating,” while Jackson noted memorable characters and abilities. Although items were praised at launch, Jackson later criticized the lack of diversity in items and said the in-game shop forced players to use specific items because they were too strong.
Reviewers were happy with the many different ways champions could play, but Strom said female characters in 2018 still looked similar to those in other games. In 2016, a champion designer responded to player criticism that a young, female champion was not conventionally attractive. He said limiting female characters to one body type was unfair and said progress had been made in recent updates.
The game was often compared to others in the same genre. GameSpot’s Tyler Hicks said new players could learn League of Legends faster than DotA, and the game’s lack of random skills made it more competitive. Jackson called the rate at which players could unlock champions “generous,” but said it was slower than in Dota 2 (2013), a sequel to DotA. Strom said the game was faster-paced than Dota 2 but slower than Blizzard Entertainment’s Heroes of the Storm (2015).
At the first Game Developers Choice Awards in 2010, the game won four major awards: Best Online Technology, Game Design, New Online Game, and Visual Arts. At the 2011 Golden Joystick Awards, it won Best Free-to-Play Game. Music from the game won a Shorty Award and was nominated at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
League of Legends has received awards for its role in esports. It was nominated for Best Esports Game at The Game Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2025, and won in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Events organized by Riot for esports tournaments have also been recognized. At The Game Awards, Riot won Best Esports Event for the 2019, 2020, and 2021 League World Championships. At the 39th Sports Emmy Awards in 2018, League of Legends won Outstanding Live Graphic Design for the 2017 world championship. Riot used augmented reality to create a computer-generated dragon that flew across the stage during the event.
Player behavior
League of Legends has a long history of "toxicity," which refers to rude and abusive behavior during games. A survey by the Anti-Defamation League found that 76% of players have faced harassment in the game. Riot Games, the company that created League of Legends, admits this is a problem but says only a small number of players are always toxic. Jeffrey Lin, a designer at Riot, explains that most negative behavior comes from players who sometimes act badly. To address this, Riot has introduced several systems. One is a reporting tool that lets players report teammates or opponents who break the game's rules. The in-game chat is also checked by computer programs that identify harmful messages. An earlier system called the "Tribunal" allowed qualified players to review reports. If enough players agreed that a message violated the rules, an automated system would punish the player. Lin stated that completely removing negative behavior is not realistic, so Riot focuses on encouraging positive actions. In 2017, Riot redesigned the "Honor system," letting players give virtual medals to teammates for showing kindness, teamwork, or respect. Earning these medals increases a player's "Honor level," which rewards them with free in-game items over time.
In esports
League of Legends is one of the world's largest esports. The New York Times called it "the main attraction" of esports. In 2016, online viewership and in-person attendance for League of Legends esports events were higher than those for the National Basketball Association, the World Series, and the Stanley Cup. For the 2019 and 2020 League of Legends World Championship finals, Riot Games reported that 44 million and 45 million people watched the games at the same time. Harvard Business Review stated that League of Legends showed how the esports industry began.
As of April 2021, Riot Games manages 12 regional leagues around the world. Four of these leagues—China, Europe, Korea, and North America—use franchised systems, where teams are owned by specific organizations. In 2017, this system included 109 teams and 545 players. League of Legends games are usually livestreamed on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Riot Games sells the rights to stream the game. In North America, the league playoffs are broadcast on cable television by ESPN. In China, Bilibili was given the rights to stream international events like the World Championships and the Mid-Season Invitational for three years, starting in Fall 2020. This deal was worth about $113 million. Huya Live owns the rights to stream domestic and other regional leagues in China.
The highest-paid professional players in League of Legends earn more than $1 million, which is more than three times the highest-paid players in Overwatch. The game has drawn investment from people not usually involved in esports, such as Rick Fox, a retired basketball player who started his own team. In 2020, his team’s spot in the North American league was sold to the Evil Geniuses organization for $33 million.
Spin-offs and other media
In 2019, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of League of Legends, Riot Games shared updates about several games connected to the League of Legends brand. A mobile version of Teamfight Tactics was announced for iOS and Android devices and released in March 2020. This version allows players to compete across mobile and computer platforms. Legends of Runeterra, a free-to-play card game featuring League of Legends characters, launched in April 2020 for Windows computers. League of Legends: Wild Rift is a mobile version of the game for iOS and Android, with new designs for characters and environments instead of copying the original game. Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, a single-player role-playing game, was released in 2021 for multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. It was the first game developed by Riot Forge, a division that works with other studios to create games using League of Legends characters. In December 2020, Riot Games announced a new League of Legends–based multiplayer online role-playing game in development. Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story, a third-person adventure game about champion Nunu and his friend Willump, was released in November 2023 for Windows and Nintendo Switch.
Riot Games first entered music in 2014 with Pentakill, a virtual heavy metal band promoting a skin line. The group originally included six League of Legends champions: Kayle, Karthus, Mordekaiser, Olaf, Sona, and Yorick. In 2021, champion Viego joined the group. The music was created by Riot’s team, with guest appearances by Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe and Danny Lohner of Nine Inch Nails. Their album Grasp of the Undying reached number one on iTunes metal charts in 2017.
After Pentakill, Riot introduced K/DA, a virtual K-pop group featuring champions Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’sa. The group promoted a skin line and released the song “Pop/Stars” in 2018, which gained over 400 million views on YouTube. In 2020, K/DA released the single “The Baddest” for their EP All Out.
In 2019, Riot launched True Damage, a virtual hip hop group with champions Akali, Yasuo, Qiyana, Senna, and Ekko. The group’s debut song, “Giants,” was performed live by singers Keke Palmer, Thutmose, Becky G, Duckwrth, and Soyeon during the 2019 League of Legends World Championship. The song’s in-game items included a collaboration with Louis Vuitton.
In 2023, Riot created Heartsteel, a virtual boy band featuring champions Aphelios, Ezreal, Kayn, K’Sante, Sett, and Yone. The group’s debut song, “Paranoia,” was released in October 2023 by vocalists Baekhyun, Cal Scruby, ØZI, and Tobi Lou.
In 2018, Riot Games partnered with Marvel Comics to create comic books. The first comic, League of Legends: Ashe—Warmother, was released in 2018, followed by League of Legends: Lux. A print version of Lux was released in 2019.
To celebrate League of Legends’ 10th anniversary, Riot announced Arcane, an animated television series. It was Riot’s first TV production and created with Fortiche Production. The series is set in the cities of Piltover and Zaun, explores adult themes, and features characters from League of Legends. It stars Hailee Steinfeld as Vi, Ella Purnell as Jinx, Kevin Alejandro as Jayce, and Katie Leung as Caitlyn.
Arcane premiered in November 2021 on Netflix and Tencent Video in China. The first season received critical praise, winning four Emmy Awards and nine Annie Awards. After its success, Riot expanded its entertainment division by hiring executives from Netflix, HBO Max, and Paramount. The second and final season of Arcane premiered in November 2024, also receiving acclaim and winning seven Annie Awards. Home media releases of both seasons were produced by GKIDS, with collector’s editions released in 2024 and 2025.
According to Bloomberg News, Riot Games paid Netflix approximately $3 million per episode of Arcane. Despite the high production costs, Riot stated that the second season was expected to cover its expenses.