Riot Games
Riot Games business and news from across the web.
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2XKO would have needed an MAU base "in the high hundreds of thousands, if not millions" to succeed
Riot Games CPO Marc Merrill stated that 2XKO would have required hundreds of thousands to millions of monthly active users to succeed as a live service game. The game, which ended active development in August, was too costly to operate relative to its stagnant engagement. Merrill also cited the release of Street Fighter 6 as a factor, suggesting 2XKO might have fared better if launched earlier.
Riot Games Co-Founder Says 2XKO Needed ‘Hundreds of Thousands, if Not Millions’ of Monthly Active Players to Survive
Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill stated that the fighting game 2XKO would need hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of monthly active players to justify its budget. This revelation has sparked significant debate within the fighting game community regarding the game's financial viability.
Exclusive Riftbound card reveals feature a princely League of Legends champion all about gear
Riot Games' trading card game Riftbound is releasing its final set, Riftbound: Radiance, on October 23, 2026. This set introduces new mechanics like Deploy, Show Off, and Disarm, highlighted by an exclusive reveal of the champion card Jarvan IV, Martial Paragon. The set focuses on Gear interactions and battlefield control, offering a strategic depth for players.
Consumer Protection Cooperation Network launches coordinated actions against nine companies on in-game currency
The Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network has initiated coordinated actions against nine video game companies, including King, Supercell, Mojang, Riot Games, and Activision Blizzard UK, over concerns regarding in-game virtual currencies and microtransactions. The network is enforcing EU's Key Principles, emphasizing that prices for in-game purchases should be displayed in real-world currency and that consumer protection laws should apply as if real money were spent. Industry representatives express concern that the CPC Network's approach may be overly strict and potentially extend existing laws beyond permissible limits.
Arc Raiders' executive producer explains how he 'wasn't completely prepared for how hard' a live service game would be and warns against the dangers of burnout
Embark's executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admits the studio underestimated the difficulty of developing a live service game like Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and player dissatisfaction. He warns against prioritizing content speed over developer well-being and suggests a more sustainable, long-term approach is necessary for creating a better game.
This New Riftbound Card Is An Exciting Variant Of A Time-Traveling Legend
Riftbound, the trading card game based on Riot Games's League of Legends, is set to launch its fifth major set, Radiance, on October 23. The article exclusively reveals the Overnumbered variant art for the card Ekko, Boy Who Shattered Time, highlighting its unique abilities and deck-building potential.
Riftbound Radiance card reveal - Bandle Scouts' Academy is perfect for Teemo degenerates
Riot Games has revealed the Bandle Scouts' Academy Battlefield card for its trading card game, Riftbound. This new card is designed to synergize with 'Hidden' mechanics, potentially boosting the viability of Teemo and Pyke decks. Set 5, Radiance, launches globally on October 23rd, featuring new mechanics and characters like Seraphine and Ekko.
True Damage returns for 2026's League of Legends Worlds anthem, and I'm very OK with it
Riot Games has announced that the virtual group True Damage will perform the 2026 League of Legends Worlds anthem, 'Know My Name.' The song will feature returning artists SOYEON, Coco Jones, Vic Mensa, and Sofia Reyes, celebrating the competitive spirit of the event. The anthem and its music video are set to release on October 8, with a live performance scheduled for November 14.
League of Legends' player satisfaction is "very high" right now, Riot says, even if gameplay is "stale" at higher levels
Riot Games' Lead Gameplay Designer Matt Leung-Harrison stated that League of Legends player satisfaction is currently very high, despite some high-level players finding the gameplay stale. He acknowledged that while the game is balanced overall, changes will be made carefully to avoid disrupting the current state. Improvements are planned for the apex-tier ranked distribution in Europe for next season.
Riot's Vanguard is coming for League of Legends and Valorant boosters, with nearly 300,000 accounts hit
Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat system has expanded its detection capabilities to include boosting and rank manipulation in both League of Legends and Valorant. Nearly 300,000 accounts have been affected by actions ranging from rank removal to permanent bans. The system targets players who log into others' accounts to increase their rank, as well as those who benefit from such services.
Inside Activision’s £6.3 Billion Fight Against Cheat Sellers
Activision Blizzard estimates the global market for game cheating services, including subscriptions, account sales, and spoofing, generates approximately $8.5 billion annually. The publisher's anti-cheat unit, Team RICOCHET, is actively pursuing legal action against cheat sellers, having disrupted over 375 reseller operations and shut down 31 primary vendors. This crackdown coincides with the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Old Graves is back as League Classic patch 4 adds four more champions to the mix
League of Legends Classic patch 4 introduces four new champions: Graves, Fizz, Nami, and Nautilus, all themed around Bilgewater and the ocean. Game Designer David 'Phreak' Turley detailed the champions' classic kits and discussed recent community votes on game length, snowballing, and item additions. The patch also includes balance changes and addresses concerns about botting.
10 Browser-Based Drifting Games for Fast-Paced Racing Fun
This analysis details the effectiveness and varying strictness of anti-cheat systems like Valve's VAC, Riot's Vanguard, Activision's Ricochet, and BattlEye across popular games such as Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Call of Duty. It highlights that while 'undetectable' software exists, it only reduces risk, and bans can occur weeks or months later through pattern recognition and machine learning, with consequences extending beyond the game itself.
The Case For Playing Games Abroad Instead of Waiting for the Perfect Home Setup
This article analyzes the effectiveness and detection methods of major anti-cheat systems like Valve's VAC, Riot's Vanguard, Activision's Ricochet, and BattlEye. It highlights that while 'undetectable' software exists, it only reduces risk, and bans can occur weeks or months later through pattern recognition and machine learning. False positives, consequences beyond game bans, and the legal implications of violating terms of service are also discussed.
Valorant's new Warden rifle aims to disrupt the eternal Phantom vs Vandal contest
Valorant is introducing a new fully automatic rifle called the Warden in patch 13.06 on September 22. Priced at 2900 credits, the Warden features a 2x scope, consistent 50 body damage at all ranges, and a lower fire rate with 18 bullets per magazine, aiming to provide a distinct long-range option. The update also includes a new experimental game mode, Gauntlet: Glitched, and an Agent Mastery system.
MMO Week in Review: Foreverrrrr
BlizzCon 2026 saw major announcements including a new open-world StarCraft shooter, Diablo V for 2029, and World of Warcraft Forever launching soon. The event also revealed World of Warcraft's next retail expansion, The Last Titan, and sparked controversy over World of Warcraft Forever's monetization. Other news included the sunsetting of Ship of Heroes, layoffs at Pantheon Rise of the Fallen, and business dealings involving ArcheAge.
League of Legends is "trying to thread the needle" of balance and frustration
League of Legends Game Design Lead Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison discussed the challenges of balancing the game while managing player frustration. He explained that while some friction is necessary for variety, Riot Games aims to address extreme outliers and cater to both average players and the professional scene.
State of the Unions: the rise of unionisation in games workplaces
The video games industry is experiencing a significant rise in unionization as workers seek better labor rights and protections against harsh working conditions. Unions like SAG-AFTRA, ZeniMax workers, and various groups at major studios have successfully advocated for improved pay, AI protections, and remote work policies. Representatives from IWGB, Solidaires Informatique, and the Polish Gamedev Workers Union highlight global progress and ongoing challenges, emphasizing the growing power of collective bargaining.
Massively Overthinking: Should MMORPG development be approached like a ‘grail quest’?
This article discusses whether approaching MMORPG development as a 'grail quest' is a worthwhile strategy, featuring insights from various writers and readers. While some express optimism about Riot Games' ambitious approach to its in-development MMO, others raise concerns about the challenges and potential for disappointment inherent in such large-scale projects.
Is Aimbot Software Worth the Ban Risk in CS2 and Warzone?
This analysis examines the risks associated with using aimbot software in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone, detailing how anti-cheat systems from Valve, Riot Games, Activision, and BattlEye operate and their ban cadences. It highlights that 'undetectable' software only reduces risk, not eliminate it, and discusses the consequences of bans, including account wipes, hardware bans, and reputational damage in esports.
