View source for Riot Games

{{short description|American video game developer}}
{{Redirect|Riot (developer)|the Telenet Japan subsidiary|Riot (Telenet Japan)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Riot Games, Inc.
| logo = Riot Games 2022.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2022
| image = Riot Games Headquarters 2023.jpg
| image_caption = Riot Games' West Los Angeles headquarters (pictured in December 2023)
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2006|09}} in [[Santa Monica, California]], US
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Brandon Beck|Marc Merrill}}
| hq_location_city = [[Los Angeles]]
| hq_location_country = US
| num_locations = 20 offices<ref name="Who We Are">{{cite web | url=https://www.riotgames.com/en/who-we-are | title=Who We Are }}</ref>
| num_locations_year = 2023
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|class=nowrap|Brandon Beck (co-[[chairman]])|Marc Merrill (co-chairman)|Dylan Jadeja ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Mark Sottosanti ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|''[[League of Legends]]''|''[[League of Legends: Wild Rift]]''|''[[Legends of Runeterra]]''|''[[Teamfight Tactics]]''|''[[Valorant]]''}}
| num_employees = 4,200+<ref name="2024 layoffs"/>
| num_employees_year = 2024
| parent = [[Tencent]] (2011–present)
| divisions = Riot Tabletop
| subsid = {{ubl|[[Radiant Entertainment]]|[[Hypixel Studios]]|[[Riot Sydney]]}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.riotgames.com/en|riotgames.com}}
| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=6507}}
}}

'''Riot Games, Inc.''' is an American [[video game developer]], [[Video game publisher|publisher]], and [[esports]] tournament organizer based in [[Los Angeles, California]]. It was founded in September 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill to develop ''[[League of Legends]]'' and went on to develop [[List of League of Legends media|several spin-off]] games and the unrelated [[first-person shooter]] game ''[[Valorant]]''. In 2011, Riot Games was acquired by Chinese [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] [[Tencent]]. Its publishing arm, [[Riot Forge]], oversaw the production of ''League of Legends'' spin-offs by other developers, until its shut down in January 2024. The company worked with [[Fortiche]] to release ''[[Arcane (TV series)|Arcane]]'', a television series based on the ''League of Legends'' universe.

Riot Games operates [[League of Legends in esports|''League of Legends'' esports leagues]], and the [[Valorant Champions Tour|''Valorant'' Champions Tour]]. The company, which had 20 offices worldwide as of 2023, sells corporate sponsorships, merchandise, and streaming rights for its leagues. Riot has faced allegations and lawsuits claiming a toxic [[Organizational culture|workplace culture]], including [[Sexism|gender discrimination]] and [[Sexual harassment in the workplace in the United States|sexual harassment]]. The company was criticized for its use of [[Arbitration clause|forced arbitration]] in response to these allegations.

== History ==
Brandon "Ryze" Beck and Marc "Tryndamere" Merrill, the founders of Riot Games, became friends while roommates at the [[University of Southern California]], where the two studied business.<ref name="Kollar16">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/13/12891656/the-past-present-and-future-of-league-of-legends-studio-riot-games |title=The past, present and future of League of Legends studio Riot Games |first=Phil |last=Kollar |date=September 13, 2016 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612194103/https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/13/12891656/the-past-present-and-future-of-league-of-legends-studio-riot-games |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beck and Merrill believed too many video game developers diverted their focus from game to game too often, distinguishing ''[[Defense of the Ancients]]'' as an indication that games could be supported and monetized long-term.<ref name="Kollar16" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=October 27, 2019 |title=The origin story of League of Legends |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/|access-date=November 9, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |quote=And in their minds, the Warcraft III mod didn’t clear the way just for the birth of a new genre of gameplay known as a multiplayer online battle arena or MOBA, it also proved the viability of a still relatively young concept in gaming: Games as a service.|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116220755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/|url-status=live}}</ref> They also drew inspiration from Asian [[video game designer]]s who released their games for no up-front cost, and instead [[microtransactions|charged]] for additional perks.<ref name="Blakely16">{{cite web |last1=Blakely |first1=Lindsay |last2=Helm |first2=Burt |date=December 2016 |title=Why Riot Games Is Inc.'s 2016 Company of the Year |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/201612/burt-helm-lindsay-blakely/company-of-the-year-riot-games.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525002802/https://www.inc.com/magazine/201612/burt-helm-lindsay-blakely/company-of-the-year-riot-games.html|archive-date=May 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018 |website=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]}}</ref>

Beck and Merrill sought funding from family and [[angel investor]]s, raising {{US$|1.5&nbsp;million|link=yes}} to launch their company.<ref name="Blakely16" /> Riot Games was established in September 2006 in [[Santa Monica, California]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/09/13/riot-games-celebrates-ten-years-with-huge-league-of-legends-numbers.aspx |title=Riot Games Celebrates Ten Years By Announcing Huge League Of Legends Numbers |first=Brian |last=Shea |date=September 13, 2016 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723121459/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/09/13/riot-games-celebrates-ten-years-with-huge-league-of-legends-numbers.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/ |title=League of Legends is now 10 years old. This is the story of its birth. |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=October 27, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116220755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The first person Riot Games recruited was Steve "Guinsoo" Feak, one of the early developers of ''[[DotA Allstars]]'', a game considered to have been foundational to the [[Multiplayer online battle arena|MOBA]] genre.<ref name="Kollar16" /> As they refined ''[[League of Legends]]''{{'}} initial creation, they pitched investors a video game company rooted in [[e-commerce]]. Merrill said that they approached publishers who were baffled by the game's lack of a single-player mode and [[free-to-play]] business model.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=October 27, 2019 |title=The origin story of League of Legends |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/|access-date=December 26, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |quote="We originally just wanted to be a game developer, but then when we talked to publishers at the time they were like, 'Wait, you're not going to have single player (gameplay) and you want the game to be free and virtual? What are you talking about?" Merrill said.|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116220755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/10/27/league-legends-is-now-years-old-this-is-story-its-birth/|url-status=live}}</ref> Riot Games received several rounds of funding totaling {{US$|8&nbsp;million|long=no}}, including investments by the [[Benchmark (venture capital firm)|Benchmark]] and [[FirstMark Capital]] [[venture capital]] firms, as well as Chinese holding company [[Tencent]]. The latter would later become ''League of Legends''{{'}} distributor in China, and then the parent company of Riot Games.<ref name="Blakely16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5023761/riot-games-get-a-7m-launch |title=Riot Games Get a $7M Launch |first=Leigh |last=Alexander |date=July 10, 2008 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030159/https://kotaku.com/5023761/riot-games-get-a-7m-launch |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/riot-games-secures-USD8-million-investment |title=Riot Games secures $8 million investment |first=Kath |last=Brice |date=September 10, 2009 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001612/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/riot-games-secures-USD8-million-investment |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following six months of beta tests, Riot Games released ''League of Legends'' as a [[free-to-play]] game on October 27, 2009.<ref name="Kollar16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/26/ten-league-of-legends-games-are-started-every-second |title=Ten League of Legends Games are Started Every Second |first=Nick |last=Kolan |date=July 26, 2011 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017081437/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/26/ten-league-of-legends-games-are-started-every-second |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their game designers and executives participated in online forums to make adjustments based on player feedback.<ref name="Blakely16" /> On May 10, 2010, Riot Games announced that they would take over distribution and operation of their game in Europe; to do so, Riot Games relocated their European headquarters in [[Brighton]] to new offices in [[Dublin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/riot-games-to-close-brighton-office-relocate-staff-to-dublin-hq/ |title=Riot Games to close Brighton office, relocate staff to Dublin HQ |first=Matthew |last=Jarvis |date=March 8, 2016 |website=[[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] |access-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017075958/https://www.mcvuk.com/riot-games-to-close-brighton-office-relocate-staff-to-dublin-hq/ |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2011, Tencent invested {{US$|400&nbsp;million|long=no}} for a 93 percent stake in Riot Games.<ref name="Blakely16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/12/17/tencent-takes-full-control-of-league-of-legends-creator-riot-games/ |title=Tencent Takes Full Control Of 'League Of Legends' Creator Riot Games |first=Jon |last=Russell |date=December 17, 2015 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001612/https://techcrunch.com/2015/12/17/tencent-takes-full-control-of-league-of-legends-creator-riot-games/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tencent bought the remaining 7 percent on December 16, 2015; the price was not disclosed.<ref name="Blakely16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |title=Riot Games now owned entirely by Tencent |first=Allegra |last=Frank |date=December 16, 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407071323/https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, in response to toxicity and harassment in ''League of Legends'', Riot Games launched a "player behavior team" of psychologists to combat harassment on its platform.<ref name="Hess14">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/05/16/online_harassment_in_video_games_how_riot_games_remedied_its_league_of_legends.html |title=How One Video Game Company Is Leading the Charge Against Online Harassment |first=Amanda |last=Hess |date=May 16, 2014 |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626002018/http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/05/16/online_harassment_in_video_games_how_riot_games_remedied_its_league_of_legends.html |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/using-science-to-reform-toxic-player-behavior-in-league-of-legends/ |title=Using science to reform toxic player behavior in ''League of Legends'' |first=Dennis |last=Scimeca |date=May 16, 2013 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030136/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/using-science-to-reform-toxic-player-behavior-in-league-of-legends/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Riot Games' tactics to address issues on ''League of Legends'', which included an opt-in chat function between opposing players, informing banned players of the reasoning behind the ban, as well as creating a tribunal of players to weigh in on bans, resulted in a 30 percent drop in reported harassment behavior.<ref name="Hess14" /> The efficacy of their results has been questioned by players and the gaming press.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LeJacq |first=Yannick |date=March 25, 2015 |title=How League Of Legends Enables Toxicity |url=https://kotaku.com/how-league-of-legends-enables-toxicity-1693572469|access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=Kotaku|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926090344/https://kotaku.com/how-league-of-legends-enables-toxicity-1693572469|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2013, ''League of Legends'' was the most-played multiplayer PC game in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/08/04/league-of-legends-is-still-the-biggest-video-game-in-the-world-6828565/ |title=League Of Legends is still the biggest video game in the world |author=GameCentral |date=August 4, 2017 |website=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001557/https://metro.co.uk/2017/08/04/league-of-legends-is-still-the-biggest-video-game-in-the-world-6828565/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/league-of-legends-the-most-played-pc-game-in-the-world-runs-on-the-same-open-hardware-as-facebook/ |title="League Of Legends," The Most-Played PC Game In The World, Runs On The Same Open Hardware As Facebook |date=January 25, 2013 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030137/https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/league-of-legends-the-most-played-pc-game-in-the-world-runs-on-the-same-open-hardware-as-facebook/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> By 2016, ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' reported the game had over 100 million monthly players.<ref name="Blakely16" />

Riot Games relocated to a new building on a 20-acre (8 hectare) campus in western [[Los Angeles]] in 2015.<ref name="Blakely16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/08/riot-games-moving-to-huge-new-campus-in-2015 |title=Riot Games Moving to Huge New Campus in 2015 |first=Chris |last=Pereira |date=November 8, 2013 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108202434/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/08/riot-games-moving-to-huge-new-campus-in-2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2016, Riot Games acquired [[Radiant Entertainment]], another developer who was working on ''[[Rising Thunder (video game)|Rising Thunder]]'' and ''[[Stonehearth]]'' at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/8/11181204/riot-games-acquires-radiant-entertainment |title=Riot Games acquires Rising Thunder and Stonehearth studio Radiant Entertainment |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=March 8, 2016 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030142/https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/8/11181204/riot-games-acquires-radiant-entertainment |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rising Thunder'' was effectively canceled following the acquisition, with the game's team allocated to a new project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/267541/Acquired_by_Riot_Radiant_shuts_down_Rising_Thunder.php |title=Acquired by Riot, Radiant shuts down ''Rising Thunder'' |first=Alex |last=Wawro |date=March 8, 2016 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172310/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/267541/Acquired_by_Riot_Radiant_shuts_down_Rising_Thunder.php |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 13, 2017, Beck and Merrill announced that they were returning their focus to developing games, aiming to create new experiences for video game and esports players.<ref name="Crecente17">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/league-of-legends-developers-are-working-on-a-new-game-w508720 |title=League of Legends Developers Are Working on a New Game |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=October 13, 2017 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116084156/http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/league-of-legends-developers-are-working-on-a-new-game-w508720 |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beck and Merrill handed over the day-to-day operations and overall management of the ''League of Legends'' team to three longtime employees: Dylan Jadeja, Scott Gelb, and Nicolo Laurent, who previously served as [[chief financial officer]] (CFO), [[chief technology officer]] (CTO) and [[President (corporate title)|president]], respectively.<ref name="Crecente17" /> Subsequently, Gelb and Laurent assumed roles as [[chief operating officer]] (COO) and [[chief executive officer]] (CEO), respectively, while Beck and Merrill became the Riot Games' chairmen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=46642259 |title=Company Overview of Riot Games, Inc. |website=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626075554/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=46642259 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2018|05}}, Riot Games employed 2,500 people,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-world-s-biggest-game-company-just-keeps-getting-big-1826294558 |title=The World's Biggest Game Company Just Keeps Getting Bigger |first=Jason |last=Schreier |date=May 24, 2018 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030226/https://kotaku.com/the-world-s-biggest-game-company-just-keeps-getting-big-1826294558 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> operating 24 offices around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riotgames.com/en/work-with-us/offices |title=Offices |website=Riot Games |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001607/https://www.riotgames.com/en/work-with-us/offices |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2019, Riot Games announced several new games: a version of ''League of Legends'' for mobile devices and consoles called ''[[League of Legends: Wild Rift]]'', a standalone mobile version of the ''[[Teamfight Tactics]]'' mode from ''League of Legends'', and the [[digital collectible card game]] titled ''[[Legends of Runeterra]],'' with all three scheduled for a 2020 release.{{refn|group=note|''League of Legends: Wild Rift'' was delayed as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jerome |date=November 5, 2020 |title=When does League of Legends: Wild Rift release? |url=https://dotesports.com/mobile/news/when-does-league-of-legends-wild-rift-release |access-date=November 8, 2020 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019080727/https://dotesports.com/mobile/news/when-does-league-of-legends-wild-rift-release |url-status=live}}</ref>}} The company also teased further games — ''Project A'', a [[tactical shooter]]; ''Project L'', a [[fighting game]] with ''League of Legends'' characters; and ''Project F'', a multiplayer game set in [[Runeterra]] – that were not detailed outside of genre descriptions and brief gameplay clips.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/15/riot-games-lol-project/ |title=Riot celebrates ten years of 'LoL' by finally announcing new games |first=Richard |last=Lawler |date=October 15, 2019 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=October 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016125621/https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/15/riot-games-lol-project/ |archive-date=October 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/15/everything-riot-announced-for-league-of-legends-10th-anniversary/ |title=Everything Riot announced for League of Legends' 10th anniversary |first=Jeff |last=Grubb |date=October 15, 2019 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016224842/https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/15/everything-riot-announced-for-league-of-legends-10th-anniversary/ |archive-date=October 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Project A'' was later revealed to be ''[[Valorant]]'', which entered closed beta on April 7, 2020<ref name="Webster 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199452/valorant-multiplayer-shooter-riot-closed-beta-date |title=Riot's shooter Valorant goes into beta on April 7th |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=March 30, 2020 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411204243/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/30/21199452/valorant-multiplayer-shooter-riot-closed-beta-date |url-status=live }}</ref> and was officially released on June 2, 2020.<ref name="espn">{{Cite web |title=Riot Games announces June 2 release date for VALORANT |url=https://tv5.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/29204568/riot-games-announces-june-2-release-date-valorant |last=Erzberger |first=Tyler |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=May 4, 2021 |date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607190605/https://tv5.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/29204568/riot-games-announces-june-2-release-date-valorant |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Riot Forge}}
In December 2019, Riot Games announced Riot Forge, a publishing label headed by Leanne Loombe. The label partnered with smaller game development studios for the creation of ''League of Legends'' games, with some games of this type already being in development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/5/20993328/riot-forge-publishing-label-league-of-legends-games |title=Riot launches publishing label to create even more League of Legends games |first=Andrew |last=Webster |date=December 5, 2019 |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206004302/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/5/20993328/riot-forge-publishing-label-league-of-legends-games |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two titles from Riot Forge were announced at [[The Game Awards 2019]]: ''Ruined King: A League of Legends Story'' by [[Airship Syndicate]], and ''Convergence: A League of Legends Story'' by Double Stallion Games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/12/21012514/league-of-legends-riot-indie-game-ruined-king-the-game-awards-tga |title=Ruined King and Convergence are the first indie League of Legends spinoffs |first=Andrew |last=Webster |date=December 12, 2019 | access-date = December 13, 2019 |work=[[The Verge]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213052042/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/12/21012514/league-of-legends-riot-indie-game-ruined-king-the-game-awards-tga | archive-date = December 13, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> Another division, Riot Tabletop, was announced in January 2020, to producing [[tabletop games]]; the first was ''[[Tellstones: King's Gambit]]'', released in 2020.<ref name="gibiz tellstones">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-14-riot-games-launches-new-tabletop-division |title=Riot Games launches new tabletop division |first=Haydn |last=Taylor |date=January 14, 2020 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114172223/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-14-riot-games-launches-new-tabletop-division |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Riot acquired Hypixel Studios in April 2020, which they had been investing in over the previous eighteen months to help them publish ''[[Hytale]]'', a [[voxel]]-based sandbox game.<ref name="Riot Games">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/16/21223667/riot-games-league-of-legends-hypixel-studios-minecraft-hytale |title=Riot continues to expand beyond League by acquiring studio behind Minecraft-like game |first=Andrew |last=Webster |date=April 16, 2020 | access-date = April 16, 2020 |work=[[The Verge]] | archive-date = April 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200416203617/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/16/21223667/riot-games-league-of-legends-hypixel-studios-minecraft-hytale | url-status = live}}</ref> Also in April, Riot announced plans to establish a [[Singapore]] office later that year. Riot Games Singapore is to support Riot's existing titles and will have a major focus on developing the company's newer titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-04-23-riot-games-to-open-new-studio-in-singapore |title=Riot Games to open new studio in Singapore |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=April 23, 2020 | access-date = April 23, 2020 |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date = April 25, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425104057/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-04-23-riot-games-to-open-new-studio-in-singapore | url-status = live}}</ref> Jason Bunge was hired as Riot Games' [[chief marketing officer]] in October 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-22-riot-games-hires-first-ever-chief-marketing-officer |title=Riot Games hires first ever chief marketing officer |first=Marie |last=Dealessandri |date=October 22, 2010 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022160737/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-22-riot-games-hires-first-ever-chief-marketing-officer |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2021, the company bought Kanga, a services firm involved in "fan hubs", merchandising, and content aggregation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-15-riot-games-acquires-media-tech-firm-kanga-talent |title=Riot Games acquires media tech firm Kanga Talent |first=Danielle |last=Partis |date=October 15, 2021 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015164315/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-15-riot-games-acquires-media-tech-firm-kanga-talent |url-status=live }}</ref>

Riot Games collaborated with French animation studio [[Fortiche]] to release an animated series, ''[[Arcane (TV series)|Arcane]].'' The series was released worldwide in November 2021 on [[Netflix]], and by parent company Tencent in China, and received a favorable critical reception.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=2021-11-06 |title=Netflix's Arcane is the best story League of Legends has ever had |url=https://polygon.com/reviews/22766070/arcane-review-netflix-league-of-legends |access-date=2021-12-15 |website=Polygon |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211071733/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22766070/arcane-review-netflix-league-of-legends |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rivera |first=Joshua |date=2021-11-26 |title=Arcane is great TV even if you don't care about League of Legends |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22800666/arcane-season-1-review |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104213548/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22800666/arcane-season-1-review |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022, Riot Games announced that it had invested in Fortiche and, as a result, its [[chief content officer]] Brian Wright and director of [[corporate development]] Brendan Mulligan were joining Fortiche's [[board of directors]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dotesports.com/business/news/riot-new-equity-investment-arcane-animation-studio-fortiche-production |title=Riot announces new equity investment in Arcane's animation studio, Fortiche Production |first=Tyler |last=Esguerra |date=March 14, 2022 |website=[[Dot Esports]] |access-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613080440/https://dotesports.com/business/news/riot-new-equity-investment-arcane-animation-studio-fortiche-production |url-status=live }}</ref> That same month, Riot also hired executives from [[Netflix]], [[Paramount Global|Paramount]], and [[HBO Max]] to head development of film, TV, and music endeavors built around the company's intellectual property.<ref name=Variety22>{{cite news |last=Flores |first=Terry |date=March 12, 2022 |title=Netflix's 'Mitchells vs. the Machines' and 'Arcane' Dominate the 49th Annie Awards |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/mitchells-vs-the-machines-arcane-annie-awards-1235203048/ |work=Variety |access-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020192525/https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/mitchells-vs-the-machines-arcane-annie-awards-1235203048/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2022, Riot acquired Wargaming Sydney—a subsidiary of Cyprus-based [[Wargaming (company)|Wargaming]] that had originally developed the MMO [[middleware]] [[BigWorld]]—for an undisclosed amount, and renamed it Riot Sydney. The acquisition excludes rights to the BigWorld technology itself, as well as its publishing arm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-17 |title=Riot games acquires Wargaming Sydney Studio |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/riot-games-acquires-wargaming-sydney-studio |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017180258/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/riot-games-acquires-wargaming-sydney-studio |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2023, Riot Games cut 46 employees in a round of layoffs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-19 |title=Riot Games reportedly making layoffs |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/riot-games-reportedly-making-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref> In the same month, it suffered a cyberattack that stole source code for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and an anti-cheat platform. The hackers in question put the stolen data up for sale on the [[dark web]] for US$700,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hackers try to sell LoL source code for $700,000 on the web |url=https://egamersworld.com/blog/hackers-try-to-sell-lol-source-code-for-700-000-on-JmNg0WTjC |access-date=February 14, 2023 |website=egamersworld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Riot Games Hacker is Now Selling League of Legends Source Code for $700,000 on Black Market, Includes Anti-Cheat Software |url=https://www.esportsheaven.com/features/riot-games-hacker-is-now-selling-league-of-legends-source-code-for-700000-on-black-market-includes-anti-cheat-software/ |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=esportsheaven}}</ref> In 2023, several games under the Riot Forge label were released, including [[The Mageseeker]] by Digital Sun, and [[Song of Nunu]] by [[Tequila Works]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riot Forge - News |url=https://riotforgegames.com/en-us/news/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=Riot Forge}}</ref> In September 2023, Dylan Jadeja became company CEO.<ref>{{cite web |title=Update on Our CEO Transition |url=https://www.riotgames.com/en/news/update-on-our-ceo-transition |website=Riot Games |language=en}}</ref>

Riot announced in January 2024 that it would be [[2023–2024 video game industry layoffs|laying off]] 530 employees, or about 11% of its workforce, as well as sunsetting the Riot Forge effort as well as its planned [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] competitor, Riot Esports Network (REN). Jadeja stated the rationale for the layoffs: "A decision like this has a massive impact on people's lives and on the culture of Riot. We're not doing this to appease shareholders or to hit some quarterly earnings number – we've made this decision because it's a necessity. It's what we need to do in order to maintain a long-term focus for players."<ref name="2024 layoffs">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/riot-games-lays-off-530-employees-sunsetting-riot-forge/1100-6520520/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title = Riot Games Lays Off 530 Employees, Sunsetting Riot Forge | first =  Luis Joshua | last = Gutierrez | date = January 22, 2024 | accessdate = January 22, 2024 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-25/riot-games-shuts-down-effort-to-build-a-streaming-rival-to-twitch | title = Riot Games Shuts Down Effort to Build a Streaming Rival to Twitch | first = Cecilia | last = D'Anastasio | date = January 25, 2024 | accessdate = January 26, 2024 | work = [[Bloomberg News]] }}</ref> In May 2024, the company was sued in the [[California federal court]] over its partnership with bankrupt crypctocurrency exchange [[FTX]]. Lawyers for the plaintiff said the claims were brought as their losses from FTX could not be recovered due to the bankruptcy proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ettinger |first=Marlon |date=2024-03-12 |title=Sam Bankman-Fried's love of 'League of Legends' cited in billion-dollar suit against Riot Games |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/league-of-legends-lawsuit-ftx/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Esports ==
[[File:League of Legends World Championship 2017 Finals.jpg|thumb|left|The stage for the [[2017 League of Legends World Championship]] finals between [[SK Telecom T1]] and [[Samsung Galaxy (esports)|Samsung Galaxy]] in the [[Beijing National Stadium]]]]
Riot Games operates esports leagues worldwide. This includes the [[League of Legends Championship Series|''League of Legends'' Championship Series]], comprising leagues in North America and Europe.<ref name="Spangler17">{{cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=November 20, 2017 |title=Ten Franchise Teams for 'League of Legends' North American eSports League Unveiled |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/league-of-legends-north-america-league-teams-esports-1202619230/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904213434/https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/league-of-legends-north-america-league-teams-esports-1202619230/|archive-date=September 4, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="Wolf18">{{cite web |last=Wolf |first=Jacob |date=March 27, 2018 |title=European League Championship Series changes to include salary increase, franchising and rev share |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/esports/story/_/id/22933422/european-league-championship-series-changes-include-salary-increase-franchising-rev-share|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030134/http://www.espn.co.uk/esports/story/_/id/22933422/european-league-championship-series-changes-include-salary-increase-franchising-rev-share|archive-date=June 26, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> In total, there are more than 100 teams in Riot Games' 12 regional leagues around the world.<ref name=EngadgetConditt>{{cite news |last=Conditt |first=Jess |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Here's what the next 10 years of LoL Esports will look like |url=https://www.engadget.com/league-of-legends-esports-lol-rebrand-logo-global-150019678.html |work=Engadget |access-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927172933/https://www.engadget.com/league-of-legends-esports-lol-rebrand-logo-global-150019678.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=DTZucosky>{{cite news |last=Zucosky |first=Andrew |date=June 16, 2021 |title=Riot Games picks League of Legends World Championship's host cities for 2021 |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/league-of-legends-world-championship-2021-host-cities/ |work=Digital Trends |access-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927172937/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/league-of-legends-world-championship-2021-host-cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Teams compete over the course of a season separated into two seasonal splits.<ref name="Spangler18">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/espn-league-of-legends-esports-disney-1202821402/ |title=ESPN+ to Live-Stream 'League of Legends' Esports Events Under New, Non-Exclusive Pact |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=May 25, 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001605/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/espn-league-of-legends-esports-disney-1202821402/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Teams earn championship points to qualify for two major international competitions: the [[Mid-Season Invitational]] and the [[League of Legends World Championship|''League of Legends'' World Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/03/league-of-legends-mid-season-invitational-3/ |title=League Of Legends Mid-Season Invitational – What You Need To Know! |first=Michael |last=Johnson |date=May 3, 2016 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001530/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/03/league-of-legends-mid-season-invitational-3/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/against-all-odds-cloud-9-makes-it-into-league-of-legen-1728040207 |title=Against All Odds, Cloud9 Makes It Into The League Of Legends World Championship |first=Yannick |last=LeJacq |date=September 1, 2015 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030211/https://kotaku.com/against-all-odds-cloud-9-makes-it-into-league-of-legen-1728040207 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Riot Games' World Championship is the annual professional tournament at the conclusion of each season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-a-dynasty-was-toppled-at-the-league-of-legends-world-championship/ |title=How a dynasty was toppled at the League of Legends World Championship |first=Cassandra |last=Marshall |date=November 5, 2017 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001557/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-a-dynasty-was-toppled-at-the-league-of-legends-world-championship/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Huddleston18">{{cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2017/10/20/riot-games-esports-lol-world-championship/ |title=Riot Games Esports Co-Head Talks 'League of Legends' 2017 World Championship |first=Tom Jr. |last=Huddleston |date=October 20, 2017 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030150/http://fortune.com/2017/10/20/riot-games-esports-lol-world-championship/ |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During 2010 and 2011, the Riot Games team developed new content for ''League of Legends'';<ref name="Kollar16" /> it was during this time that the company realized that people also liked to watch the game being played.<ref name="Kollar16" /> As a result, Riot Games established its own ''League of Legends'' esports leagues which produce weekly broadcasts and create a professional game schedule.<ref name="Kollar16" /> Following Riot Games' first world championship event in 2011, a small affair at a conference in Sweden, the company decided to turn their tournaments into professional sports-like events.<ref name="Blakely16" /> It invested in broadcasting equipment, hired sports programming producers, and trained [[pro gamers]] to be "TV-ready".<ref name="Blakely16" /> In 2012, Riot Games held its tournament at University of Southern California's [[Galen Center]], offering {{US$|1&nbsp;million|long=no}} in prize money.<ref name="Blakely16" /> Riot Games has since held tournaments in Berlin, Seoul, [[Madison Square Garden]] in New York City, and the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="Blakely16" />

The company sells corporate sponsorships, merchandise, and streaming rights for its esports league.<ref name="Blakely16" /> In 2015, investors bought stakes in teams and began building their own squads.<ref name="Blakely16" /> Among the team owners in Riot Games' leagues are the owners of the [[Washington Wizards]], [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], [[Houston Rockets]], [[Golden State Warriors]], [[Philadelphia 76ers]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], [[AOL]] co-founder Steve Case, and life coach [[Tony Robbins]].<ref name="Blakely16" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21003601/league-legends-golden-state-warriors-co-owner-joe-lacob-lands-north-american-league-championship-series-franchise-spot |title=Sources: Warriors co-owner lands League of Legends franchise spot |first=Jacob |last=Wolf |date=October 13, 2017 |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625204433/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21003601/league-legends-golden-state-warriors-co-owner-joe-lacob-lands-north-american-league-championship-series-franchise-spot |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21475314/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-houston-rockets-officially-enter-league-legends-championship-series |title=Warriors, Cavs and Rockets officially enter League of Legends |first=Tyler |last=Erzberger |date=November 20, 2017 |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625204438/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/21475314/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-houston-rockets-officially-enter-league-legends-championship-series |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' cited the growth of the leagues and high-profile ownership as part of its reasoning for making Riot Games its 2016 Company of the Year.<ref name="Blakely16" /> Following debates over whether pro players and coaches should have a greater share of Riot Games' esports revenue and concerns raised about the company making in-game changes prior to matches, the company issued an [[open letter]] in 2016 promising higher revenue shares and more collaboration with professional teams.<ref name="Blakely16" /> In 2017, Riot Games held the ''League of Legends'' World Championship in China, with the finals taking place in [[Beijing]].<ref name="Huddleston18" /> The same year, the company announced it would franchise its ten-team North American ''League of Legends'' Championship Series, which cost at least {{US$|10&nbsp;million|long=no}} to enter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-01/to-buy-into-this-video-gaming-league-it-s-at-least-10-million |title=To Buy Into This Video Gaming League, It's at Least $10 Million |first1=Eben |last1=Novy-Williams |first2=Joshua |last2=Brustein |date=June 1, 2017 |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626075546/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-01/to-buy-into-this-video-gaming-league-it-s-at-least-10-million |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, Riot Games announced the first [[Valorant Champions Tour|''Valorant'' Champions Tour]], the global competitive tournament for ''Valorant''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=24 November 2020 |title=Valorant Champions Tour to feature global competition in 2021 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/121683/valorant-champions-tour-to-feature-global-competition-in-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316000901/https://www.shacknews.com/article/121683/valorant-champions-tour-to-feature-global-competition-in-2021 |archive-date=2021-03-16 |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=[[Shacknews]]}}</ref>

In 2021, Riot began building out three new "remote broadcast centers" in Asia, North America (Seattle), and Europe (Dublin), as part of an effort to improve the scale of its esports productions using a centralized production model with regional hubs. The facilities would be capable of both on-site productions, and allowing regional productions to connect to the facilities' datacenters and use their infrastructure as part of remote productions. The three locations were chosen as their time zones are each eight hours apart, allowing them to "work a full shift and then shut down and throw control for the next productions to the next facility." The first RBC in Dublin, Ireland, opened in July 2022, in a building formerly housed by the nightclub The Wright Venue in [[Swords, Dublin|Swords]]; it has an IP-based infrastructure, six studios, and preserves the nightclub's [[disco ball]] (which had been promoted as the largest in Europe).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dachman |first=Jason |date=2021-10-28 |title=Riot Games Takes Esports Production Global With 'Project Stryker' Remote Broadcast Centers in Dublin, Seattle, APAC |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/10/28/riot-games-takes-esports-production-global-with-project-stryker-remote-broadcast-centers-in-dublin-seattle-apac/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=Sports Video Group |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017183158/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/10/28/riot-games-takes-esports-production-global-with-project-stryker-remote-broadcast-centers-in-dublin-seattle-apac/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Riot Games launches Dublin esports broadcast centre |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2022/07/20/riot-games-launches-dublin-esports-broadcast-centre/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017183157/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2022/07/20/riot-games-launches-dublin-esports-broadcast-centre/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

As part of their buildout of the LoL series, Riot partnered with the [[FTX (company)|FTX]] [[cryptocurrency exchange]] in August 2021 for a seven-year deal. Following the [[bankruptcy of FTX]] in November 2022, Riot began to seek legal methods to terminate the FTX contract.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-files-to-terminate-relationship-with-failed-crypto-exchange-ftx/ | title = Riot files to terminate League of Legends sponsorship deal with failed crypto exchange FTX | first = Ted | last = Litchfield | date = December 17, 2022 | accessdate = December 18, 2022 | work = [[PC Gamer]] | archive-date = December 17, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221217195716/https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-files-to-terminate-relationship-with-failed-crypto-exchange-ftx/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Criticism and controversies ==

=== Allegations over gender discrimination and sexual harassment ===
Over the first half of 2018, ''[[Kotaku]]'' spoke to about 28 former and current employees at Riot Games. Several claimed that female employees at Riot were being discriminated against. For example, some noted that ideas from female employees were overlooked while the same ideas from male employees were readily accepted, and some female employees were groomed for more senior positions only to be passed up by a new male hire. These employees described Riot's working environment as a "bro culture". Other allegations included receiving images of male genitalia from colleagues and bosses, an email thread speculating on what it would be like to penetrate a female employee, and a list shared among senior staff members detailing which female employees they would sleep with.{{r|kotaku gender}} ''Kotaku'' speculated that this came from Riot's history of generally catering to "core" gamers both in products and in hiring practices, causing the company to favor male employees over females.<ref name="kotaku gender">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/inside-the-culture-of-sexism-at-riot-games-1828165483 |title=Inside The Culture Of Sexism At Riot Games |first=Cecilia |last=D'Anastasio |date=August 7, 2018 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809025752/https://kotaku.com/inside-the-culture-of-sexism-at-riot-games-1828165483 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Some Riot employees approached by ''Kotaku'' asserted these accusations were not true or were already being addressed; for example, according to the head of the platform, Oksana Kubushyna, efforts to improve the hiring process to be more diverse and inclusive toward women started nine months before article's publication.<ref name="kotaku gender" /> Riot Games' corporate communications lead Joe Hixson acknowledged the problems and said they did not align with Riot's core values. Furthermore, he said that all Riot employees must be held accountable for the working environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24314161/riot-games-responds-report-alleging-sexual-harassment |title=Riot Games responds to report alleging sexual harassment |first=Jacob |last=Wolf |date=August 8, 2018 |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809025747/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/24314161/riot-games-responds-report-alleging-sexual-harassment |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the week following ''Kotaku''{{'}}s article, several more current and former developers came forward to speak on their own experiences at Riot, which included claims of sexual harassment and misgendering. In a statement to ''[[Gamasutra]]'', Hixson indicated that the company is taking action based on the story and its response. He elaborated that, in regards to claims of misbehavior by higher-level executives at Riot, the seniority of the individuals would have no impact on disciplinary proceedings.<ref name="Gamasutra Kotaku followup">{{cite web |last=Francis |first=Bryant |date=August 13, 2018 |title=Devs corroborate claims of sexist culture as Riot looks for way forward |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/324333/Devs_corroborate_claims_of_sexist_culture_as_Riot_looks_for_way_forward.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813215916/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/324333/Devs_corroborate_claims_of_sexist_culture_as_Riot_looks_for_way_forward.php|archive-date=August 13, 2018|access-date=August 13, 2018 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> By the end of August 2018, Riot revealed they were implementing seven "first steps" to change the company's internal culture in light of the issues raised, including a "Culture and Diversity & Inclusion Initiative" priority.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-commits-to-seven-steps-to-drive-cultural-change/ |title=Riot Games commits to 'seven steps' to drive cultural change around sexism and harassment |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=August 29, 2018 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005306/https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-commits-to-seven-steps-to-drive-cultural-change/ |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> To help implement these, Riot hired [[Frances X. Frei]] as a senior adviser for diversity, leadership, and strategy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/11/riot-games-hires-former-uber-exec-frances-frei-as-senior-diversity-and-culture-adviser/ |title=Riot Games hires former Uber exec Frances Frei as senior diversity and culture adviser |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=September 11, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912092039/https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/11/riot-games-hires-former-uber-exec-frances-frei-as-senior-diversity-and-culture-adviser/ |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

As a response to the ''Kotaku'' article, Riot offered a session at [[PAX (event)|PAX West]] in 2018 for prospective video game developers with a panel and one-on-one sessions to review [[Curriculum vitae|résumés]]; the session only admitted women and [[Genderqueer|non-binary people]]. Members of Riot's game communities expressed outrage at the exclusion of men, while Riot employees defended the decision as such gender-exclusive support was necessary to correct the male-dominated nature of video game development. Some of the feedback towards Riot included harassment and threats. In response to a [[Jacksonville Landing shooting|shooting at a video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida]], in August 2018, Riot planned to increase security at its upcoming events.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/4/17810676/pax-west-panel-league-of-legends-riot-games-controversy |title=A PAX West panel adds to the current Riot Games controversy |first=Cass |last=Marshall |date=September 4, 2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=September 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904225955/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/4/17810676/pax-west-panel-league-of-legends-riot-games-controversy |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two employees of Riot attempted to address the feedback from the PAX event; one was fired, and the other left the company. Riot stated that these departures were separate from their Diversity Initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/7/17827796/riot-games-employee-depart-women-only-pax-west-event |title=Two Riot Games employees depart after defending a women-only PAX West event to League players |first=Shannon |last=Liao |date=September 7, 2018 |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907211925/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/7/17827796/riot-games-employee-depart-women-only-pax-west-event |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2018, Riot's CEO Nicolo Laurent sent an email to all employees stating that following the company's internal investigation, their COO, Scott Gelb, was suspended for two months without pay for workplace misconduct and would take training classes before his return. Riot stated to ''Kotaku'' that there were still other cases they were investigating, but they did not involve those as senior as Gelb, and thus they would not discuss these cases publicly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-following-inve-1831084598 |title=Top Riot Executive Suspended Without Pay Following Investigation Over Workplace Misconduct |first=Cecilia |last=D'Anastasio |date=December 13, 2018 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214011851/https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-following-inve-1831084598 |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> By January 2019, Riot updated the company values on its website, the first time since 2012, to reflect the apparent "bro culture" mentioned in the ''Kotaku'' report,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-15-riot-games-updates-company-values-following-claims-around-companys-toxic-bro-culture |title=Riot Games updates company values following "bro culture" toxicity claims |first=Haydn |last=Taylor |date=January 15, 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115234437/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-15-riot-games-updates-company-values-following-claims-around-companys-toxic-bro-culture |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and by February 2019, had hired Angela Roseboro as the company's chief diversity officer to further help improve their culture by managing all activity related to diversity and inclusion as well as guiding the recruiting team in promoting inclusivity for new hires.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/1/18246622/riot-games-chief-diversity-officer-hire-sexism-allegations-toxic-culture |title=Riot Games hires a chief diversity officer to address toxic workplace culture |first=Shannon |last=Laio |date=March 1, 2019 |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302121239/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/1/18246622/riot-games-chief-diversity-officer-hire-sexism-allegations-toxic-culture |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

About three months after ''Kotaku''{{'}}s story, one current and one former Riot employee filed a lawsuit against the company, asserting the company engaged in gender discrimination concerning their pay and position, and that the company had created a "sexually-hostile" workplace. The lawsuit seeks to qualify it as a class-action suit, and for damages to be based on unpaid wages, damages, and other factors to be determined at trial.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/current-and-former-employees-sue-riot-games-for-gender-1830262786 |title=Current And Former Employees Sue Riot Games For Gender Discrimination |first=Cecilia |last=D'Anastasio |date=November 6, 2018 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106222343/https://kotaku.com/current-and-former-employees-sue-riot-games-for-gender-1830262786 |archive-date=November 6, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three other employees followed with their own lawsuits against Riot Games in the months that followed. Riot Games attempted to have two of the suits dismissed in April 2019, citing that the two female plaintiffs of these suits, when hired, had agreed to third-party [[arbitration]] rather than taking court action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/riot-files-motions-to-block-former-employees-from-takin-1834335897 |title=Riot Files Motions To Block Current Employees From Taking Legal Action |first=Cecila |last=D'Anastasio |date=April 26, 2019 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426203212/https://kotaku.com/riot-files-motions-to-block-former-employees-from-takin-1834335897 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Internally, several employees of Riot threatened to walk out, an idea that had been around since the first ''Kotaku'' article, as alongside the coercion to use arbitration, these employees felt Riot had yet to improve its transparency on the processes and had otherwise continued to retain Gelb despite his suspension.

A proposed settlement was reached in the class-action suit in August 2019, which would include at least {{USD|10 million}} in damages to women that had been employed at Riot Games over the prior five years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2019-12-02/riot-games-gender-discrimination-settlement |title=Riot Games will pay $10 million to settle gender discrimination suit |first=Sam |last=Dean |date=December 2, 2019 | access-date = December 2, 2019 |work=[[The Los Angeles Times]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191202201623/https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2019-12-02/riot-games-gender-discrimination-settlement | archive-date = December 2, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> Representatives of the class indicated that they thought it would lead to change, while Riot said that there were other issues not covered by the suit, and that they also intended to resolve the unacknowledged issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/23/riot-games-settles-class-action-lawsuit-over-gender-discrimination |title=Riot Games Settles Class Action Lawsuit Over Gender Discrimination |first=Matt |last=Kim |date=August 23, 2019 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823030850/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/23/riot-games-settles-class-action-lawsuit-over-gender-discrimination |archive-date=August 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

California's [[California Department of Fair Employment and Housing|Department of Fair Employment and Housing]] (DFEH) had been investigating claims of gender discrimination at Riot Games since October 2018. In June 2019, DFEH announced that Riot had denied providing them requested documents and were seeking action to compel these documents, though Riot responded by saying that they complied with all DFEH requests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-state-of-california-is-investigating-riot-games-for-1835463823 |title=The State Of California Is Investigating Riot Games For Gender Discrimination |first=Cecila |last=D'Anastasio |date=June 12, 2019 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613015602/https://kotaku.com/the-state-of-california-is-investigating-riot-games-for-1835463823 |archive-date=June 13, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Upon word of the settlement, the department filed a complaint with the court that stated they believed the settlement was far too low, estimating that the lawsuit potentially could have been worth as much as {{USD|400 million}}. The state's [[California Department of Industrial Relations|Division of Labor Standards Enforcement]] also filed a complaint, believing the settlement would release Riot from labor liabilities that had been raised by the lawsuit. Both complaints urged the court to reject the proposed settlement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-21/california-slams-10-million-riot-games-sex-bias-accord |title=California Slams $10 Million Riot Games Sex Bias Settlement |first=Edvard |last=Pettersson |date=January 21, 2020 | access-date = January 22, 2020 |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] | archive-date = January 23, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200123040349/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-21/california-slams-10-million-riot-games-sex-bias-accord | url-status = live}}</ref> Riot dismissed the DFEH's larger value to the suit, and denied charges raised by the DFEH that it had colluded with the class's lawyer to reduce the amount they would pay through the settlement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-24-riot-games-denies-collusion-in-gender-discrimination-lawsuit |title=Riot Games denies collusion in gender discrimination lawsuit |first=Haydn |last=Taylor |date=January 24, 2020 | access-date = January 24, 2020 |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date = January 25, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200125031727/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-24-riot-games-denies-collusion-in-gender-discrimination-lawsuit | url-status = live}}</ref>

As a result of the state's findings that the terms of the settlement should have been valued higher, the class withdrew the proposed {{USD|10 million}} settlement and dropped their original legal counsel, bringing on new lawyers who had been involved in prior lawsuits related to the [[Me Too movement]] in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-21-class-action-lawsuit-withdraws-settlement-proposal-and-brings-in-new-legal-counsel |title=New legal counsel takes over class action lawsuit against Riot Games |first=Haydn |last=Taylor |date=February 21, 2020 | access-date = February 21, 2020 |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date = February 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200221160247/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-21-class-action-lawsuit-withdraws-settlement-proposal-and-brings-in-new-legal-counsel | url-status = live}}</ref> In response, Riot said they found the {{USD|10 million}} figure "fair and adequate under the circumstances" after analysis, but were remaining committed to reaching a resolution.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/70560/riot-insists-10m-settlement-for-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-is-fair-and-adequate/ |title=Riot insists $10m settlement for gender discrimination lawsuit is "fair and adequate" |first=Alex |last=Calvin |date=February 24, 2020 | access-date = February 24, 2020 |work=[[PC Games Insider]] | archive-date = February 24, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200224160125/https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/70560/riot-insists-10m-settlement-for-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-is-fair-and-adequate/ | url-status = live}}</ref> In August 2021, DFEH asserted that Riot was interfering in their ongoing investigations by falsely informing employees that they could not speak to DFEH directly; while the court ordered Riot to issue a memo to all employees that they legally could speak to DFEH, Riot had yet to comply with this order.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/22627866/riot-games-lawsuit-workers-rights-sexual-harassment-discrimination |title=Riot must let workers talk to 'unlawful workplace' investigators, California says |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816221749/https://www.polygon.com/22627866/riot-games-lawsuit-workers-rights-sexual-harassment-discrimination |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of 2021, Riot had agreed to a new settlement with the DEFH and employees of {{USD|100 million|long=no}}, with {{USD|80 million|long=no}} going to the impacted employees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/riot-games-to-pay-80-million-settlement-gender-discrimination-lawsuit |title=Riot Games to Pay $100 Million After Reaching a Settlement Over Gender Discrimination Lawsuit |first=Adam |last=Bankhurst |date=December 27, 2021 |accessdate=December 27, 2021 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228045030/https://www.ign.com/articles/riot-games-to-pay-80-million-settlement-gender-discrimination-lawsuit |url-status=live }}</ref> The settlement was approved in July 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-07-26-more-than-1-000-women-to-receive-share-of-riot-games-usd100m-gender-discrimination-settlement | title = More than 1,000 women to receive share of Riot Games' $100m gender discrimination settlement | first = James | last = Batchelor | date = July 26, 2022 | accessdate = July 26, 2022 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date = July 26, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220726105313/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-07-26-more-than-1-000-women-to-receive-share-of-riot-games-usd100m-gender-discrimination-settlement | url-status = live }}</ref> Riot will compensate 1,548 female employees between $2,500 and $40,000 each as part of the settlement.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/riot-games-to-compensate-1548-women-in-gender-discrimination-case | title = Riot Games to compensate 1,548 women in gender discrimination case | first = James | last = Batchelor  | date = May 5, 2023 | accessdate = May 5, 2023 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref>

Riot and Laurent were sued by Laurent's former assistant in January 2021 on sexual discrimination charges, which included inappropriate language and labor mistreatment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5b3zm/riot-games-ceo-sued-for-sexual-discrimination-by-his-assistant |title=Riot Games CEO Sued for Sexual Discrimination by His Assistant |first1=Jason |last1=Koebler |first2=Matthew |last2=Gault |first3=Emanuel |last3=Maiberg |date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209212835/https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5b3zm/riot-games-ceo-sued-for-sexual-discrimination-by-his-assistant |url-status=live }}</ref> Riot opened an investigation by three members of its board of directors into Laurent's behavior in response to the lawsuit. They reported in March 2021 that "We concluded that there was no evidence that Laurent harassed, discriminated, or retaliated against the plaintiff. We have therefore concluded that at the current time … no action should be taken against Laurent."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/03/16/nicolo-laurent-lawsuit-riot-games/ |title=Riot Games board finds no wrongdoing by CEO Nicolo Laurent, denies misconduct allegations in new court filing |first=Mikhail |last=Klimentov |date=March 16, 2021 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316185124/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/03/16/nicolo-laurent-lawsuit-riot-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Alienware]] which had sponsored Riot's ''League of Legends'' esports events, ended its partnership with Riot a year earlier than their contract term in March 2021 due to the ongoing litigation over the sexual harassment allegations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/alienware-ends-riot-partnership-due-to-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-claims-report/ |title=Alienware ends Riot partnership due to sexual harassment lawsuit, claims report |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=March 15, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |archive-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316201327/https://www.pcgamer.com/alienware-ends-riot-partnership-due-to-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-claims-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Dispute over forced arbitration clauses====
Riot has also been criticized by its employees for requiring the use of forced arbitration in its employment contracts as a result of the gender discrimination lawsuit. Riot allowed employees to speak anonymously with the press, and indicated their intent to use town hall meetings and smaller group discussions with Roseboro and employees to determine future action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/gy4qv7/league-of-legends-studio-faces-employee-walkout-promises-changes |title='League of Legends' Studio Faces Employee Walkout, Promises Changes |first=Patrick |last=Klepek |date=April 29, 2019 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |access-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429213137/https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/gy4qv7/league-of-legends-studio-faces-employee-walkout-promises-changes |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Riot also committed to removing mandatory arbitration in new employee contracts and potentially for existing ones after the current litigation had been settled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-03-riot-games-will-drop-mandatory-arbitration-following-walkout-threats |title=Riot Games will drop mandatory arbitration following walkout threats |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=May 3, 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503150458/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-03-riot-games-will-drop-mandatory-arbitration-following-walkout-threats |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, Riot established a 90-day plan starting in May 2019 to continue to address internal issues related to diversity and inclusion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-has-revealed-a-90-day-plan-to-tackle-diversity-and-inclusion/ |title=Riot has revealed a 90-day plan to tackle diversity and inclusion |first=Fraser |last=Brown |date=May 3, 2019 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503150916/https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-has-revealed-a-90-day-plan-to-tackle-diversity-and-inclusion/ |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, over one hundred Riot employees staged their walkout on May 6, 2019, demanding that Riot end forced arbitration for all past and current employees as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/evyz7p/over-100-riot-games-employees-walked-out-today-to-end-forced-arbitration |title=Over 100 Riot Games Employees Walked Out Today to End Forced Arbitration |first1=Matthew |last1=Gault |first2=Nicole |last2=Clark |date=May 6, 2019 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |access-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506215257/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/evyz7p/over-100-riot-games-employees-walked-out-today-to-end-forced-arbitration |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> About two weeks following the walkout, Riot reverted their position, saying that they will not change forced arbitration in existing agreements while the current litigation against the company is ongoing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342904/Riot_ignores_calls_to_scrap_mandatory_arbitration_for_all_employees.php |title=Riot ignores calls to scrap mandatory arbitration for all employees |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=May 17, 2019 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517212617/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342904/Riot_ignores_calls_to_scrap_mandatory_arbitration_for_all_employees.php |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Others ===

==== Freedom of expression ====
In the context of the [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests]], Riot Games took action to discourage [[Political_statement|political statements]] during its live events, claiming that overt statements on politics, religion, and other sensitive topics "cannot be fairly represented in the forum [their] broadcast provides", and has asserted that the company bears responsibility for ensuring "that statements or actions on [their] official platforms [...] do not escalate potentially sensitive situations."<ref>{{cite web |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=October 11, 2019 |title=Riot Forbids ''League Of Legends'' Players And Commentators From Discussing Politics On Air |url=https://kotaku.com/riot-forbids-league-of-legends-players-and-commentators-1838978263 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012004137/https://kotaku.com/riot-forbids-league-of-legends-players-and-commentators-1838978263 |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |access-date=October 12, 2019 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref>

In 2019, players discovered that words that are politically sensitive in China, including ''[[Tiananmen]]'' and ''[[Uyghurs|Uyghur]]'', were censored in ''League of Legends''. The censorship varied by server and language, with some restrictions being lifted after complaints were posted to [[Reddit]].<ref name="Liotta2019">{{Cite news |last=Liotta |first=Edoardo |date=2019-10-22 |title=How Reddit Users Caught 'League of Legends' Censoring Words Like 'Uyghur,' 'Genocide,' and 'Tiananmen' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/zmj8p3/how-reddit-users-caught-league-legends-censor-words-uyghur-genocide-tiananmen |access-date=2024-03-12 |language=en}}</ref>

==== George Floyd ====
In June 2020, Ron Johnson, Riot Games' global head of consumer products, shared a [[Facebook]] post that claimed [[George Floyd]] had been [[Murder of George Floyd|killed by police]] "because of his criminal lifestyle". The company subsequently placed Johnson on leave to conduct an investigation, after which Johnson resigned from the company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Riot Games Executive Says George Floyd Was Murdered By Police Because Of His "Criminal Lifestyle" |language=en-US |work=Kotaku |url=https://kotaku.com/riot-games-executive-says-george-floyd-was-murdered-by-1843987857|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611014045/https://kotaku.com/riot-games-executive-says-george-floyd-was-murdered-by-1843987857|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Riot Games executive under internal investigation for George Floyd comments |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-executive-under-internal-investigation-for-george-floyd-comments/|access-date=June 11, 2020 |website=PC Gamer |language=en-US|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611104951/https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-executive-under-internal-investigation-for-george-floyd-comments/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Riot Games Exec Placed on Leave Over George Floyd Post |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-exec-placed-leave-george-floyd-post-1297918|access-date=June 11, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 10, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611104951/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-exec-placed-leave-george-floyd-post-1297918|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/riot-games-executive-resigns-after-sharing-controv/1100-6478364/ |title=Riot Games Executive Resigns After Sharing Controversial George Floyd Image |first=Aron |last=Gast |date=June 11, 2020 | access-date = June 11, 2020 |work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date = June 12, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200612063000/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/riot-games-executive-resigns-after-sharing-controv/1100-6478364/ | url-status = live}}</ref>

==== Sponsorship with Saudi Arabian city ====
Riot had announced a planned partnership with the developing city of [[Neom]] in [[Saudi Arabia]] in July 2020, with the city to sponsor the upcoming ''League of Legends'' European Championship series. Shortly after the announcement, fans of the game, as well as Riot employees, criticized the company over social media and their streaming channels over the partnership, citing Saudi Arabia's record on [[Human rights in Saudi Arabia|human rights]] and the violent attempts to evict the [[Howeitat]] tribe from the area during the city's construction. Riot canceled the partnership within a few days in response, apologizing and saying that the partnership had been rushed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/29/21347587/riot-games-saudi-arabia-neom-partnership-league-european-championship-lec |title=Riot Games ends Saudi Arabia's Neom partnership following controversy |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=July 29, 2020 | access-date = July 30, 2020 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = July 30, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200730083043/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/29/21347587/riot-games-saudi-arabia-neom-partnership-league-european-championship-lec | url-status = live}}</ref>

==== Marketing using a character’s mental health struggles ====
Riot was criticized for marketing a new ''League of Legends'' character, Seraphine,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=November 3, 2020 |title=Riot on how League of Legends' latest character may have gotten a little too real |url=https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2020/11/3/21548141/seraphine-controversy-league-of-legends-twitter|access-date=November 9, 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108232626/https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2020/11/3/21548141/seraphine-controversy-league-of-legends-twitter|url-status=live}}</ref> by creating an in-character [[Twitter]] account in which they alluded to her struggles with her mental health, including low [[self-esteem]], [[anxiety]], and [[impostor syndrome]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Gita |date=October 15, 2020 |title=League of Legends' Fake Anime Pop Star Is Sad Tweeting About Genocide |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy8g87/league-of-legends-fake-anime-pop-star-is-sad-tweeting-about-genocide|access-date=November 9, 2020 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114181130/https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy8g87/league-of-legends-fake-anime-pop-star-is-sad-tweeting-about-genocide|url-status=live}}</ref> Some wrote that the account was an attempt to trick players into feeling close to her in an attempt to advertise.<ref name="auto"/> Creative director Patrick Morales said that, although he was "proud" of the members of the team who worked on the campaign, it had "an unintended impact outside of the narrative we wanted to tell".<ref name="auto"/>

==== Response to Russian invasion of Ukraine ====

After [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Riot Games did not withdraw from the Russian market after being asked to do so by Ukrainian politician [[Mykhailo Fedorov]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/03/ukraine-asks-game-industry-to-block-russian-accounts-as-punishment-for-invasion/ | title=Ukrainian gov't calls for game companies to cut off Russia during invasion &#91;Updated&#93; | date=March 3, 2022 | access-date=November 27, 2022 | archive-date=November 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127004300/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/03/ukraine-asks-game-industry-to-block-russian-accounts-as-punishment-for-invasion/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022, Riot donated the proceeds from [[battle pass]]es sold in several of its games, as well as profit from some in-game items, to humanitarian relief organizations operating in Ukraine.<ref name=EngadgetBonifacic>{{cite news |last=Bonifacic |first=Igor |date=March 7, 2022 |title=Riot Games will donate proceeds from in-game passes to Ukraine relief |url=https://www.engadget.com/riot-games-ukraine-donation-204410088.html |work=Engadget |access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref> According to Riot, these donations totaled $5.4 million.<ref name=NMEGrimshaw>{{cite news |last=Grimshaw |first=Jack |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Riot Games donates £4.1million to humanitarian charities supporting Ukraine |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/riot-games-donates-4-1million-to-humanitarian-charities-supporting-ukraine-3194934 |work=NME |access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

== Litigation ==
In 2017, Riot Games filed a lawsuit against [[Moonton|Moonton Technology Co.]], the developer of the mobile game ''[[Mobile Legends: Bang Bang]]'', because of copyright infringement, citing similarities between ''Mobile Legends'' and ''League of Legends''. The case was initially dismissed in California on account of ''[[forum non conveniens]]''. Tencent, on behalf of Riot Games, then filed a new lawsuit in a Chinese court, which ruled in Tencent's favor in July 2018, awarding it {{US$|2.9&nbsp;million|long=no}} in damages.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/source-riot-games-parent-tencent-wins-lawsuit-mobile-legends-31079 |title=Riot Games parent Tencent wins $2.9 million in lawsuit against Moonton CEO |first=Aaron |last=Mickunas |date=July 18, 2018 |website=[[Dot Esports]] |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711104720/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/source-riot-games-parent-tencent-wins-lawsuit-mobile-legends-31079 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/riot-games-tencent-wins-lawsuit-league-of-legends-copy-1202878322/ |title=Tencent Wins Lawsuit Over 'League of Legends' Copycat |first=Liz |last=Lanier |date=July 19, 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330075502/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/riot-games-tencent-wins-lawsuit-league-of-legends-copy-1202878322/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2019, Riot Games filed a lawsuit against Riot Squad Esports LLC, a [[Chicago]]-based esports organization founded in March 2019, alleging that Riot Squad intentionally infringed on Riot Games' "Riot" trademark.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/10/20908027/riot-games-copyright-trademark-lawsuit-riot-squad |title=Riot Games files lawsuit against esports organization over 'Riot' trademark |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=October 10, 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010191617/https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/10/20908027/riot-games-copyright-trademark-lawsuit-riot-squad |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-sues-esports-organzation-riot-squad-over-trademark-infringement/ |title=Riot Games sues esports {{sic|organz|ation |nolink=y}} Riot Squad over trademark infringement |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=October 11, 2019 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018222204/https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-sues-esports-organzation-riot-squad-over-trademark-infringement/ |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Games ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Genre(s)
! scope="col" | Platform(s)
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}}
|-
! scope="row" | 2009
| ''[[League of Legends]]''
| [[Multiplayer online battle arena]]
| [[macOS]], [[Windows]]
|
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
| ''[[Teamfight Tactics]]''
| [[Auto battler]]
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], macOS, Windows
| rowspan="3" {{centered|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2020
| ''[[League of Legends: Wild Rift]]''
| Multiplayer online battle arena
| Android, iOS, unrevealed consoles
|-
| ''[[Legends of Runeterra]]''
| [[Digital collectible card game]]
| Android, iOS, Windows
|-
| ''[[Valorant]]''
| [[First-person shooter]]
| Windows
| {{centered|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/Valorant-FPS-release-date-beta-gameplay/ |title=Valorant: Release date, closed beta, gameplay, and everything we know |last=Messner |first=Steven |date=April 10, 2020 |website=PC Gamer |language=en-US|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507174153/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/Valorant-FPS-release-date-beta-gameplay/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4" | {{dtba}}
| ''LoL Esports Manager''
| [[Simulation video game|Simulation]]
| Android, iOS, Windows
| {{centered|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Introducing LoL Esports Manager |url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/10/introducing-lol-esports-manager/|access-date=April 21, 2020 |website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com |date=October 16, 2019 |language=en-US|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529040258/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/10/introducing-lol-esports-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/riots-esports-management-game-lol-esports-manager-is-likely-a-gacha |title=Riot's esports management game, LoL Esports Manager, is likely a gacha |author=Dexter Tan Guan Hao |date=November 6, 2019 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928030446/https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/riots-esports-management-game-lol-esports-manager-is-likely-a-gacha|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''2XKO''
| [[Fighting game|Fighting]]
| [[PlayStation 5]], Windows, [[Xbox Series X/S]]
| rowspan="2" {{centered|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />}}
|-
| ''Project F''
| [[Action role-playing]], [[hack and slash]]
| rowspan="2" {{TBA}}
|-
| Unknown
| [[MMORPG]]
| {{centered|<ref name="polygonMMORPG">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/17/22187930/riot-games-mmo-league-of-legends |title=Riot Games is making a League of Legends MMO - Polygon |website=polygon.com |date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218065007/https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/17/22187930/riot-games-mmo-league-of-legends |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ignMMORPG">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/league-of-legends-mmo-in-development-riot-games-executive-announces |title=League of Legends MMO In Development, Riot Games Executive Announces |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=IGN.com |date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218070831/https://www.ign.com/articles/league-of-legends-mmo-in-development-riot-games-executive-announces |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=March 25, 2021 |title=Riot website confirms details about its League of Legends MMO |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/25/league-of-legends-mmo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421073845/https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/25/league-of-legends-mmo/ |archive-date=2021-04-21 |access-date=2021-04-21 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref>}}
|}

=== Minigames ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Genre(s)
! scope="col" | Platform(s)
! scope="col" | Developer(s)
|-
! scope="row" | 2013
| ''Astro Teemo''
| rowspan="4" | [[Arcade (genre)|Arcade]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Browser game|Browser]]
| rowspan="3" | Pure Bang Games
|-
! scope="row" | 2014
| ''Cho'Gath Eats the World''
|-
! scope="row" | 2015
| ''Blitzcrank's Poro Roundup''
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2017
| ''Ziggs Arcade Blast''
| rowspan="4" | Windows
| rowspan="4" | Riot Games
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2018
| ''Star Guardian: Insomnia''
| rowspan="2" | [[Shoot 'em up]]
|-
| ''Project.execute''
|-
| ''Super Zac Ball''
| [[Sports game|Sports]]
|}

=== Riot Forge ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Developer
! scope="col" | Genre(s)
! scope="col" | Platform(s)
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2021
| ''[[Ruined King]]''
| [[Airship Syndicate]]
| [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], Windows, [[Xbox One]]
| {{centered|<ref name="RKverge">{{cite web |last1=Gartenberg |first1=Chaim |title=League of Legends spinoff Ruined King will launch on consoles in 'early 2021' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/31/21541766/league-of-legends-spin-off-ruined-king-release-date-early-2021-xbox-playstation-switch |website=The Verge |access-date=November 1, 2020 |language=en |date=October 31, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101000731/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/31/21541766/league-of-legends-spin-off-ruined-king-release-date-early-2021-xbox-playstation-switch |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RKdelayed">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/12/10/ruined-king-a-league-of-legends-story-has-been-delayed |title=Ruined King: A League Of Legends Story Has Been Delayed |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=10 December 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |last=Tack |first=Daniel |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503163729/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/12/10/ruined-king-a-league-of-legends-story-has-been-delayed |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="polygon riot forge first releases">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/22784089/ruined-king-league-of-legends-riot-games-hextech-announcement |title=Riot Games surprise-releases Ruined King RPG and announces more games |first=Austen |last=Goslin |date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=November 16, 2021 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128032253/https://www.polygon.com/22784089/ruined-king-league-of-legends-riot-games-hextech-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Hextech Mayhem]]''
| [[Choice Provisions]]
| [[Rhythm game|Rhythm]]
| Nintendo Switch, Windows
| {{centered|<ref name="polygon riot forge first releases"/>}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2023
| ''[[Convergence: A League of Legends Story|Convergence]]''
| Double Stallion
| [[Action game|Action]] [[platformer]]
| Windows
| rowspan="3" {{centered|<ref name="polygon riot forge first releases"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Arias|first=Jackie|title=Upcoming Riot Forge Games Pushed Back to 2023|url=https://gamerant.com/riot-forge-games-release-dates-delay-2023/|website=GameRant|date=October 25, 2022|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Cass |title=Riot Forge reveals League spinoff The Mageseeker and new release dates |url=https://www.polygon.com/23599206/riot-forge-mageseeker-league-of-legends-story-release-date |website=Polygon |date=February 15, 2023 |access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Song of Nunu]]''
| [[Tequila Works]]
| [[Adventure game|Adventure]]
| Nintendo Switch, Windows
|-
| ''[[The Mageseeker]]''
| Digital Sun
| [[Pixel art]] [[Action role-playing game|action RPG]]
| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
|-
!scope="row" | 2024
| ''[[Bandle Tale]]''
| [[Lazy Bear Games]]
| [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] [[Simulation game|farming simulation]]
| Nintendo Switch, Windows
| {{centered|<ref>{{cite web|last=Tomakic|first=Izabela|title=Bandle Tale is Riot Forge's take on cozy farming sim Stardew Valley|url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/bandle-tale-is-riot-forges-take-on-cozy-farming-sim-stardew-valley|website=[[Dot Esports]]|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref>}}
|}

=== Tabletop games ===
In October 2016, Riot Games released ''[[Mechs vs. Minions]]'', a cooperative [[tabletop game]] based on ''League of Legends''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/league-of-legends-board-game-mechs-vs-minions |title=League of Legends board game, Mechs Vs. Minions, pits Yordles against trash mobs |first=Kirk |last=McKeand |date=September 20, 2016 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802183735/https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/league-of-legends-board-game-mechs-vs-minions |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/24/league-of-legends-mechs-vs-minions-review |title=League of Legends: Mechs vs Minions review – a challenging triumph |first=Owen |last=Duffy |date=October 24, 2016 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802180731/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/24/league-of-legends-mechs-vs-minions-review |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Riot's first tabletop game under Riot Tabletop was ''[[Tellstones: King's Gambit]]'', a bluffing game for two or four players, released in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/13/21063835/league-of-legends-developer-tabletop-tellstones-release-date-price |title=League of Legends developer Riot Games is making new board games |first=Charlie |last=Hall |date=January 13, 2020 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114165439/https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/13/21063835/league-of-legends-developer-tabletop-tellstones-release-date-price |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2020-09-16 |title=Tellstones is a beautifully made game that's too easy to put down |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21438778/tellstones-riot-games-new-tabletop-game-release-date-price |access-date=2020-12-24 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513061518/https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21438778/tellstones-riot-games-new-tabletop-game-release-date-price |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note|colwidth=40em}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eay0NJaGakU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/eay0NJaGakU| archive-date=2021-10-30 |title=Riot Games Office Tour with Chobra |author=ggChronicle |date=October 13, 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.riotgames.com/en}}

{{Riot Games}}
{{League of Legends}}
{{Tencent}}
{{Authority control}}
{{good article}}

[[Category:Riot Games| ]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2011 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:League of Legends]]
[[Category:Tencent divisions and subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in California]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 2006]]
[[Category:Video game controversies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game publishers]]