Riot Games is a successful game developer known for its flagship multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends. The company was founded in 2006 and released League of Legends as a free-to-play game in 2009. While the game initially had a small player base, it grew rapidly and now has over 115 million active monthly players. Riot Games generates revenue through sales of in-game accessories and cosmetic skins rather than requiring purchases to play. The company has had continued success expanding its games portfolio and player base, and expects further growth in esports viewership and revenue from established franchising models.

1. Edward Peper (edpeper)

2. Problem /Products
1) Passionate gamer communities can be
left stranded by growing game
developers
2) Gamers may not have money to spend
on popular games
Product: Free to Play games revolving
around flagship product

3. Persona
Peter – 10 years old
• He, nor his parents, can afford
to buy popular video game
titles
• Wants to commit to a game
that will be updated and
maintained for at least a
decade

4. Financials
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Revenue (billions)

5. Active Players
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2011 2012 2014 2017 2018 2020
Monthly Players (Millions)
Monthly Players (Millions)

6. Business Model
• Free to Play -- Not Pay to Win!
• Sell accessories, in-game cosmetics (“skins”)
figurines and much more!

7. History
• 2006 - Riot Games is Formed
• 2009 - League of Legends is released
• 2011 - Tencent acquires 93% ownership for $400 Million

8. History (cont.)
• 2015 – Tencent acquired remaining 7% of ownership
• 2019 – Riot Games released Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra
and Wild Rift
• 2020 – Riot Games releases Valorant, first FPS game

9. Leadership

10. Leadership (cont.)

11. Secret Sauce
• Free to Play games – built around a dedicated community
• Ranking supported by MMR (Match Making Ranking) Algorithm

12. What’s Hot?
• eSports!
• Consistent player base –
8 million concurrent
players playing

13. Competition
Yes Some Some
Yes No No
115 Million
(League of Legends)
11 Million
(Dota 2)
90 Million
(Overall Steam)
78 Million (Fortnite)
Riot Games Valve Epic Games
Interconnected
Games
Free to Play
Monthly Player
base
(major titles)

14. Prediction
I believe Riot Games will continue to be successful because
of…
• Potential in eSports – growth in franchising and greater
viewership will help revenue
• Player base has a history of remaining steady
• Concerns over Tencent will be addressed and resolved

15. References
• https://www.riotgames.com/darkroom/1440/656220f9ab667529111a78aae0e6ab9f:10e46504aa7f70eb33ef43ee464cb2d4/01-logo.png
• https://www.riotgames.com/en
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.riotgames.com%2Fhc%2Fen-
us&psig=AOvVaw3_v_H3SHA1iCxbhpxUhUnj&ust=1602536779079000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKC89vC4rewCFQ
AAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Egie2ngUMAAD8uG?format=jpg&name=large
• https://merch.riotgames.com/en-us/product/zed-unlocked
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/
• https://www.inc.com/magazine/201612/burt-helm-lindsay-blakely/company-of-the-year-riot-games.html
• https://goosesmurfs.com/league-player-count/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Games
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-20-league-of-legends-2013-revenue-topped-USD600m-report
• https://fortune.com/2015/06/09/riot-games-esports/

16. References (cont.)
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/806975/lol-revenue/
• https://lol.gamepedia.com/Riot_Games_Inc.
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftencentglobal&psig=AOvVaw2ZbR6vo0LqBq_llPEvmQDN&ust=16
02549848891000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJDk4cbprewCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://cdn1.dotesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/16102141/valorant_jett_duotoned-1-1-1-1.jpg
• https://www.riotgames.com/en/who-we-are/riot-games-leadership
• https://cdn1.dotesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/29160147/24137044448_bd4bd575fe_k-1024x732.jpg
• https://static.invenglobal.com/upload/image/2018/09/10/o1536647147072246.jpeg
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjehti-
_K3sAhWUaM0KHX61CcMQFjABegQIBRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalvinayre.com%2F2020%2F03%2F19%2Fpress-releases%2Fcsgo-
breaks-a-record-with-over-one-million-concurrent-players-on-steam%2F&usg=AOvVaw1Zp183SCKQ4N_ZtYc7qelr
• https://www.businessofapps.com/data/fortnite-statistics/
• https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/steam-one-billion-accounts-1203201159/
• https://leagueoflegends.fandom.com/wiki/Rank_(League_of_Legends)

17. Questions?