Riot Games' League of Legends, launched in 2009, has become one of the most popular online games in the world. According to data released by Riot Games in 2021, the game has more than 100 million monthly active users worldwide, with an average daily player count of more than 27 million, and a peak of nearly 8 million simultaneous online players. In Korea, League of Legends has become a "national game", and as of September 22, it has held the highest share of the Internet café market for 321 consecutive weeks, showing its enduring vitality.
League of Legends' long-term success is due to the excellence of its online service operations. Riot Games adjusts the balance of characters and gear with each update, releasing major updates every year and constantly introducing new content. This October, the game will celebrate its 15th anniversary, and it will still maintain this update mode.
Paul, one of the early developers of League of Legends and the game's executive producer, recalled in a video interview with Korea media: "When I was involved in the development of this game, I never imagined that it would become a globally famous game like it is today. Our goal at the time was just to make a good game. Looking back on the past 15 years, he said, "It's because of our efforts to create content that players want that we get to where we are today. ”
He also added, "Riot always encourages direct dialogue between staff and players. As a player, I know how important it is to listen to player feedback. He admits: "We've always been committed to taking our players' opinions into account, and while we don't always fully meet our players' expectations, we've always kept an open mind. ”
As Game Director at League of Legends, Pu Liu said, "While I was working at other game companies, I felt Riot's humility and ability to learn in providing a better experience for players, as well as its ability to respond quickly to demand. ”
He continued, "The diversity and vibrancy of the League of Legends community over the past 15 years has been inspiring. This can be felt both in the world of esports, in the cosplay, in the art, in the music, and in the upcoming Battle of the Two Cities in November. We are also looking forward to the next 15 years. ”
What makes League of Legends unique is eSports. Last year's World Finals attracted more than 400 million viewers and has become a major cultural event. Both executives mentioned that League of Legends' greatest moments came from esports. "DRX's Deft's path to victory and T1's Keria's emotional journey when she lost the game formed a compelling narrative that touched me deeply," Pu Liu said. ”
Paul recalls the 2012 World Finals: "That moment was very special for me. Riot Games' esports is in the stages of preparing for a major event, held at a Los Angeles university with a venue that can accommodate more than 7,000 people. Although the scale was relatively small compared to what it is now, I was blown away by the enthusiasm and cheers of the audience. Seeing the outstanding performance of the Korea team AZF gave me a new understanding of my love for sports. It was an extraordinary experience and the memories still thrill me to this day. ”
From the original 17 heroes to the current 168 heroes, Pu Liu chose the nine-tailed fox-inspired Korea hero Ahri as his favorite hero. He laughs and says, "I love Ahri, so when making Faker's Hall of Fame skin, I specifically asked the team to do their best. In the game, I often think that it would be nice if Ahri was like this, and this is also some kind of fan service of my own. ”
He also mentioned: "Ahri's style of play is very much in line with my usual guerrilla tactics. Although her output is not particularly strong, I believe that she can show a unique impact in different situations. Not only is she my favorite character, but she is loved by players all over the world. ”
Paul added: "When naming Ahri, we consulted with the Korea community and worked with players. I believe that Ahri not only has a unique meaning in the game, but also has a place in the Korea market. I wanted to use this character to show respect for Korea culture, and this sentiment has not changed to this day. ”
When it comes to his favorite heroes, Paul says, "I've been involved in the development of more than 70 heroes so far, and each hero is like my child. But he specifically mentions: "The most special heroes among them are Ryan Giggs and Nautillus. He recalls the original idea: "At that time, we had a character with a bomb who ended up being Giggs, and the character who wore armor and held an anchor became Nautirus. It was also an important moment for me to realize where heroes are headed. ”
Riot Games has grown with League of Legends and is currently launching a number of new games, including Genting Game, Valorant, and League of Legends Mobile, as it has grown into a full-fledged gaming company. However, League of Legends is still at the core, and that won't change for the foreseeable future.
"Riot Games is a company that is really committed to experimentation and R&D," Paul said. I'm looking forward to future content. He also stressed: "We will continue to focus on League of Legends to ensure that players get the attention and love they deserve." ”
Pu Liu also mentioned: "We are about to launch a fighting game based on the world view of Runeterra, called 2XKO, including popular heroes. However, our focus remains on League of Legends, and as one of the company's core priorities, our priority is to keep this online game in tip-top shape. ”