Riot Games: all you need to know about VALORANT and LOL creators

In the world of video games, few companies such as Riot Games have garnered as much attention and acclaim. Learn everything about the gaming company that brought us VALORANT and League of Legends, including all the games they developed, their history, worth, and more!

Riot Games, known for creating some of the most popular and enduring titles in the industry, continues to push boundaries and set new standards for what gaming can be.

With major esports strides being made through games like VALORANT and their relevant prime events like the VCT 2022 of which our very own Clash tournament was a part of (you might have known us as G-Loot at the time), the company has maintained a strong footing within the gaming industry.

If you are curious to know all about Riot Games, here we answer some of the most important questions about this game and esports powerhouse. And, before we start, don’t forget to check our VALORANT and League of Legends competitions to make your gaming experience more rewarding! 

What is Riot Games?

Riot Games is an American video game developer, publisher, and esports tournament organizer. Established in 2006, the company has since become a household name in the industry, with a particular focus on the competitive gaming scene. The company is best known for its flagship title, League of Legends, which has remained one of the most played and watched games in the world since its release in 2009.

What games does Riot Games make?

Riot Games is best known for League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that has become a global phenomenon. In recent years, Riot has expanded its portfolio with the release of several new titles:

• Teamfight Tactics: A strategy game based on the popular "auto battler" genre.

• Legends of Runeterra: A digital collectible card game set in the same universe as League of Legends.

• VALORANT: A first-person shooter focused on team-based, tactical gameplay.

• League of Legends: Wild Rift: A mobile and console adaptation of the original League of Legends game.

Riot Games has also announced the development of multiple projects in various stages of production, including an MMORPG set in the League of Legends universe and Project L, a fighting game featuring LoL Champions.

Partnership between Riot games and the gaming esports app Stryda (Ex G-Loot)

Stryda (ex G-Loot) is an app that enhance the gaming experience of different video games titles providing Ladders and esports competitions. From the beginning, Stryda included League of Legends and VALORANT in its Battle Pass, becoming a known and successful gaming platform in connection to Riot Games.

The partnership between Riot Games and Stryda (ex G-Loot) culminated with the VALORANT Clash tournament, part of the VALORANT Championship Tour OFF//SEASON 2022. VALORANT Clash was comprised of three stages: Qualifiers, Showdown, and the Grand Finals. Clash run from October 19 to November 27, 2022. 

The Grand Finals were broadcasted live from Stockholm with a team of professional casters and analysts, such as @LotharHS, @hypoc, @kaquka, @TheNameIsToby, @HeyMunchables, and @JordanCorbylol. 

The winners from VALORANT Clash were the following: 

• 1st - Natus Vincere

• 2nd - Parla Esports

• 3rd-4th: Giants, Team Vitality

• 5th-8th: BBL Esports, Divinity, Fire Flux Gaming, KPI Gaming

• 9th-16th: The Barbers, Bonk, BRATAN MIX, FUT Esports, Galatasaray Esports, LANPACAN, team hz, TENSTAR

How was Riot Games founded?

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, who shared a passion for gaming and a vision of creating innovative, player-focused experiences. With their backgrounds in business and a desire to develop a new kind of game company, they set out to create their first game, League of Legends. The now-massive title was inspired by the popular Warcraft III mod, Defense of the Ancients, and aimed to offer a standalone, refined version of the gameplay experience that aimed to be both accessible and diverse.

Who is the CEO of Riot Games?

Nicolo Laurent serves as the CEO of Riot Games. He has held this position since 2017, succeeding the company's co-founders, Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, who transitioned to different roles within the organization. With a strong background in business development and strategy, Laurent has played a crucial role in Riot Games' global expansion and success.

Under Laurent's leadership, Riot Games has made significant strides in diversifying its gaming portfolio, releasing several new titles across different genres, including Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and VALORANT. He has also overseen the development and launch of League of Legends: Wild Rift, which brought the popular MOBA game to mobile and console platforms.

Additionally, Laurent has helped strengthen Riot Games' commitment to its community, emphasizing transparency, and fostering a positive gaming environment. He has overseen initiatives aimed at addressing player feedback, improving communication between the company and its audience, and implementing measures to tackle toxicity and harassment within the gaming community.

How many employees work at Riot Games?

Riot Games employs over 2,500 people worldwide, with a diverse team of talented professionals working together to create and support innovative gaming experiences. The company's workforce comprises game developers, artists, engineers, and business professionals, all collaborating to develop and maintain the high-quality games that have become synonymous with the Riot Games brand.

The company's inclusive and collaborative work culture encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table, fostering a creative environment where innovation can thrive. This approach has played a significant role in Riot Games' ability to create groundbreaking titles and establish itself as a leader in the gaming industry.

To support its global player base, the company maintains offices and studios in various locations around the world, such as Dublin, Istanbul, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Sydney. These international teams help ensure that the company's games cater to the unique needs and preferences of players from different regions while providing localized support and community engagement.

Riot Games is also known for its dedication to employee development and growth. The company offers numerous opportunities for professional advancement, including mentorship programs, workshops, and training courses, enabling its employees to learn new skills, explore different roles, and pursue their passions within the organization, making it an attractive place for most aspiring game developers to work at.

Where is Riot Games located?

Riot Games is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with additional offices and studios located across the globe, including cities like Dublin, Istanbul, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Sydney.

How much is Riot Games worth?

As of April 2023, Riot Games is worth an estimated $1.77 billion. This valuation reflects the company's continued success and growth, driven by its diverse portfolio of games, strong player base, and commitment to innovation within the industry. Riot's flagship title, League of Legends, has been a significant contributor to the company's worth, with its massive global player base, extensive merchandise, and thriving esports scene. The introduction of new titles like VALORANT and Legends of Runeterra has further bolstered Riot's standing in the gaming industry, showcasing the company's ability to develop and launch successful games across multiple genres.

What is Riot Games’ tagline?

Riot Games' tagline is "We aspire to be the most player-focused game company in the world." This mantra reflects the company's commitment to listening to its community, iterating on its games, and continually improving the overall player experience.

Who owns Riot Games?

Riot Games is a subsidiary of Tencent Holdings, a Chinese multinational conglomerate. Tencent acquired a majority stake in Riot Games in 2011 and later completed the acquisition, owning 100% of the company in December 2015.

Is Riot Games publicly traded?

No, Riot Games is not publicly traded. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings, the company's financial performance is part of Tencent's overall portfolio, which is traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 0700.

How does Riot Games support esports?

Riot Games has played a significant role in shaping the esports industry, particularly through its support and development of the professional competitive scene for League of Legends. The company's approach to esports has helped create a sustainable ecosystem that not only provides thrilling entertainment for fans but also offers professional players a viable career path.

Riot Games tournaments and actions to support the esports industry

Here is a list of the tournaments developed by Riots for their games titles, and some of the activities which they supported the esports scene with:  

• League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and League of Legends European Championship (LEC): These leagues feature franchised teams, regular season play, and playoffs, providing a stable and structured environment for competition.

• League of Legends World Championship: This event brings together the top teams from regional leagues around the world to compete for the title of world champion. The event garners massive viewership and showcases the highest level of competitive play in League of Legends.

• Regional leagues and competitions: The company supports various regional leagues and tournaments across the globe, such as the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), League of Legends Pro League (LPL), and the Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends (CBLoL), among others. This structure helps foster talent and competition at the regional level, which ultimately feeds into the global competitive scene.

• Financial support and revenue sharing: The company provides financial support to teams and players through salaries, prize pools, and revenue-sharing initiatives. This support helps create a stable ecosystem where professional players can pursue esports as a viable career.

• Esports infrastructure: The company invests in the infrastructure necessary for high-quality esports production, including state-of-the-art venues, broadcast technology, and production crews. This investment elevates the viewer experience and promotes the professionalism of esports as a whole.

• Rules, regulations, and player welfare: The company enforces strict rules and regulations for the esports scene, ensuring fair play, sportsmanship, and a healthy competitive environment. The company also takes steps to promote player welfare, such as establishing player associations and providing resources for mental health, physical fitness, and personal development.

What are Riot Games’ initiatives toward charitable causes?

Riot Games is committed to making a positive impact on society and has undertaken various initiatives to contribute to social responsibility and support charitable causes. Some of these initiatives include the Riot Games Social Impact Fund, partnerships with non-profit organizations such as Active Minds, and in-game fundraisers.

Ready to experience Riot Games best titles, LOL and VALORANT?

If you feel ready to play Riot Games most appreciated titles, League of Legends and VALORANT, our free Battle Pass can make your gaming experience even more exciting and rewarding.
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