Riot Games is pursuing a League of Legends MMO, with co-founder and Chief Product Officer Marc Merrill acknowledging there are many smart reasons not to embark on such a project, yet expressing strong belief in its potential for success.

Merrill emphasizes that despite risks and the genre’s complexity and crowded market, Riot is committed to tackling the MMO and expanding the League universe.

He warns against building a game for everyone, arguing Riot should focus on solving hard, targeted problems to honor the IP and satisfy its dedicated audience.

Merrill concedes tough challenges lie ahead in delivering a faithful Runeterra experience, but regards them as the kind of problems worth waking up for, citing past projects as proof that ambitious ideas can succeed.

He highlights Runeterra’s longevity and depth, noting a global fanbase of hundreds of millions eager to explore the world in new forms beyond traditional games, including MMOs.

Riot’s established Runeterra fandom and League universe’s broad appeal are key advantages, built over more than 20 years with the aim of letting fans immerse themselves in the MMO.

MMOs are inherently challenging due to scale, expectations, and niche appeal, but addressing these challenges is central to Riot’s mission to expand the League universe.

Riot’s history of ambitious projects—from TFT and its esports ecosystem to Arcane—demonstrates a willingness to pursue risky, high-quality experiences that compete with top-tier media.

The MMO would enter a competitive market with seasoned MMO players, but Riot believes strategic design choices can make it work without watering down the concept.

Overall, Merrill projects cautious optimism about the MMO, tempered by fan skepticism and the high risk of pursuing a flagship title within a beloved IP.

In a lighter note, Merrill jokes that the MMO could dominate his personal life, signaling an awareness of the commitment involved.

Riot did not rush into an MMO; Merrill says they pursued it only after building a massive fanbase, solid revenue, and a strong team, signaling readiness and confidence.