
League of Legends: The Story Behind Riot Games' Global Gaming Empire
Riot Games is a leading video game developer and esports organizer headquartered in West Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Mark Merrill, the company focuses on continuously improving existing games rather than constantly developing new ones. Tencent acquired a majority stake in 2011 and full ownership in 2015.
The company is best known for League of Legends, their flagship multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game released in 2009, which became the most-played PC game globally by 2013. Riot Games operates major esports competitions including the League of Legends World Championship, Championship Series, and Mid-Season Invitational.
With over 2,500 employees across 24 global offices, Riot Games operates under five core values:
- Player Experience First: Focusing on creating meaningful gaming experiences
- Dare to Dream: Taking bold risks to advance gaming
- Thrive Together: Building strong, inclusive teams
- Execute With Excellence: Delivering high-quality results efficiently
- Stay Hungry; Stay Humble: Maintaining continuous learning and growth
Key Game Portfolio:
- League of Legends
- Legends of Runeterra
- Teamfight Tactics
- VALORANT
- Wild Rift
- Several upcoming titles including an MMO and adventure game
The company has received numerous accolades, including:
- Multiple appearances on Fortune's Best Companies to Work For
- Various Game Developer Choice Awards
- Multiple Webby and BAFTA awards
- Numerous esports industry recognitions
Riot's success stems from its player-focused approach, continuous game improvement philosophy, and commitment to building a global gaming community through both competitive gaming and entertainment content.
[Maintains all the same essential information while being more concise and focused on key details that would be valuable for featured snippets]
Related Articles

Report: Marvel Rivals Almost Cancelled by NetEase Over Character Licensing Issues
