Riot’s announcement of a League of Legends MMORPG set in Runeterra happened a while ago. However, there haven’t been many official updates on the project. Fortunately, by examining League of Legends lore and other related games like Legends of Runeterra, we can speculate on what to expect in the upcoming Riot MMORPG.

It should be emphasized that creating an MMORPG requires a significant amount of time and is considered the most ambitious genre of games. Therefore, the question arises: can Riot successfully accomplish this extraordinary endeavor? Here is a comprehensive overview of what you can anticipate from the game.

Riot MMORPG: Release Date Estimation

Currently, an exact release date for the highly anticipated League of Legends MMO from Riot Games has not been disclosed. Riot Games has assembled a team of individuals to handle different aspects of the MMO; however, perfecting a project of this magnitude will require a significant amount of time. This is especially true considering the elevated expectations from fans who have been immersed in the lore provided to them over the past few years.

To provide a perspective on the development time required for an MMORPG, let’s consider World of Warcraft. Despite being the largest MMORPG currently available, it was publicly announced in 2001 by Blizzard. However, it took three more years until the game was finally released in late 2004, and even then, there was still a substantial amount of in-game content missing. Considering the significant enhancements made since then, Riot Games will have a considerable amount of work ahead to not only satisfy fans of League but also establish a lasting competition with Blizzard’s leading MMORPG. Numerous other games have attempted this feat in the past.

Based on the information available, it is highly likely that Riot will invest more time in developing their MMO compared to Blizzard’s Vanilla WoW. Taking into account the current information, it is anticipated that the release of the Riot MMORPG will occur around late 2025 or mid 2026.

Riot MMORPG: Gameplay Expectations

Riot has been relatively tight-lipped about the gameplay details of their upcoming MMO. However, we anticipate that it will follow the traditional MMO format, featuring diverse classes, creatures, and regions that will play vital roles in the game.

• Get familiar with the League of Legends lore by diving into Realms of Runeterra!

Playable Races

The world of Runeterra is expansive, filled with a diverse array of characters, champions, and races. While none of these races have been officially confirmed for the upcoming Riot Games MMO, we speculate that they could potentially be playable once the game is launched.

• Humans
• Vastaya
• Yordle
• Minotaur

The indicated options appear to be the most probable choices, but there will probably be numerous other species available for gameplay. We might have the opportunity to play as Ascended, Celestials, or even Spectres, but these are merely conjectures for now as Riot has not disclosed any definite information.

A League of Legends Inspired Runeterra Map

This is one of the few things that we can confidently assert at this point. It is highly probable that the map of the MMORPG will mirror the map of Runeterra, which is already familiar to us. Runeterra is an expansive world, consisting of two substantial continents and numerous surrounding island states.

The LoL MMORPG will most likely feature the thirteen named regions of Runeterra.

• Bandle City
• Bilgewater
• Demacia
• Ionia
• Ixtal
• Noxus
• Piltover
• Shadow Isles
• Shurima
• Targon
• The Freljord
• The Void
• Zaun

The playability of the Void in the game is open to debate. It might serve as a dungeon where players can gather resources. In World of Warcraft, several zones from Warcraft 3 were immediately playable, while others were unlocked through patches as quest areas, dungeons, or raids. It is likely that Riot Games will adopt a similar approach.

It is possible that we will see the same eight regions in the upcoming MMORPG from Riot Games, inspired by their card game Legends of Runeterra. If Riot decides to incorporate the LoR regions, the Void may not be a distinct region but instead be encountered throughout the MMORPG’s storyline.

In addition to the League of Legends novel ‘Ruination,’ we have also discovered the existence of an eastern continent housing countries such as Camavore and Kathkan. These intriguing lands hold the potential to be incorporated into the game as regions in a future expansion.

Classes

When it comes to MMORPGs, classes play a crucial role, making the decision of choosing one vital. Whether you favor magic, tanking, or assassinations, there is something for everyone in MMOs, and it is likely that the Riot Games MMO will follow suit.

Fortunately, League of Legends has an impressive selection of classes, which the MMORPG team can simply replicate for players to choose from in their own game. It is anticipated that there will be six primary classes, each offering two sub-classes for players to select.

If you have experience playing League of Legends, you’ll have a general understanding of which champion fits into each category. Therefore, you can easily envision the playstyle you would prefer for your MMO character, correct?

As of now, the details regarding races and classes in the Riot MMO are still unconfirmed. In a July 2023 interview with LoL content creator Necrit, some of the MMO’s lead developers were quite vague when discussing the specifics of the race and class system within the game.

Will The LoL MMORPG Be Free To Play?

Up until now, Riot Games has released all of their primary games as free-to-play. Therefore, we are confident in placing a wager that this upcoming MMORPG will also follow suit, allowing players to access it for free while offering in-game purchases. Given its title as the League of Legends MMO, we can expect that many of the notable features from LoL will be incorporated into this MMO as well.

Maintaining a game of this magnitude will pose challenges both in terms of cost and difficulty. However, based on the track record of Riot Games, it is probable that this game will follow their trend of being free-to-play. It is important to note that this information has not been officially confirmed yet. Similarly, Lost Ark, another MMO, also adopts a free-to-play model with in-game purchases for cosmetic items such as skins. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that a similar approach will be taken with this MMO.

The alternative choice would be a paid subscription model similar to World of Warcraft, which has been in place since its inception. Currently, a monthly subscription for WoW ranges from $13 to $15 per month. This might be deemed expensive for League players who have grown accustomed to free-to-play models.

Will The Riot MMORPG Be Canon?

When asked about it on Twitter, Greg Street, the head of the MMO project at Riot Games, confirmed that the MMO will be considered canon.

Consider this perspective: If we achieve success and attract millions of players who spend hundreds of hours immersed in our game, engaging in discussions about its story and characters both with friends and online, it will undoubtedly become the central point of the game’s lore. This tendency is often observed in MMOs.

This implies that the narrative and MMO teams will collaborate closely to develop an authentic world for the MMORPG, incorporating believable stories that align with Runeterra and the League of Legends universe. Can we expect to come across familiar champions in the game? Surely, Ezreal will make an appearance, right?

I have plenty of thoughts and some experience when it comes to healing in MMOs. It is quite a challenging task. When the healer is burdened with excessive responsibilities, they often face blame and endure a stressful life. On the other hand, if there is a lack of challenges, the healer easily becomes bored. Additionally, there is the perpetual dilemma of solo healing.

On July 2, 2021, Greg Street, also known as @Ghostcrawler, tweeted.

Riot MMORPG End-Game To Feature Dungeons And Raids

Once you successfully navigate the game and maximize your character’s abilities, you will inevitably encounter the challenging end game phase. Greg Street, the Lead Producer, has confirmed the inclusion of dungeons and raids in this phase.

People familiar with my World of Warcraft dev days would recognize my passion for dungeons and raids as a player.

Don’t fret about the endgame! Rest assured that Riot is diligently working to make the dungeons and raids an exhilarating experience for your enjoyment. They understand the significance of this aspect in a game and are committed to delivering an exceptional experience.

Who Is Working On The Riot Games MMO?

As previously stated, Greg Street is heading the MMO project, and Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, the renowned lead quest designer of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, has also joined the team. This undoubtedly suggests that the game will feature captivating quests of exceptional quality.

Mark Yetter, the former Lead Gameplay Designer of League of Legends, has now taken on the role of Game Director for the MMO team in 2021. This news is significant for those who have voiced concerns about champion balance over the years.

Additionally, you have the opportunity to contribute to the project. Riot Games offers a diverse range of positions and is constantly seeking new talent for their MMO. If you meet the qualifications and are interested, be sure to visit their website for job openings.

I hope that in the coming years, Riot Games unveils more details about their thrilling project, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the captivating world of Runeterra. With all the lore and groundwork laid out, we eagerly anticipate the amalgamation of these elements into a grand massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

• Lasse Lindner