PowerPoint Presentation

Jimmy Cao

Product(s)Largest game studio in the world with only one released title

What makes this game special?

RIOT Games is trying to make League of Legends more than a game. Traditional sports are popular because they have a large fan base that enjoys watching the pro scene. RIOT Games is bringing this model into the gaming world, creating an eSport around League of Legends.Free to play model draws casual playersMicrotransactionsIn-game rewards for playing games2eSports!Based on the success of traditional sportsProfessionals make a living off the gameConnect casual players and fans to professionalsBroadcast professional games (over TV and internet)RIOT Games success in eSportsKey PeopleBrandon Beck, CEOMarc Merrill, PresidentMatt Marcou, eSports DirectoreSports are what drives League of Legends popularity, and thus the success of RIOT Games.

4FinancialsPrivately tradedBought by Tencent Holdings in Feb 2011 for $400MEstimated 500 employeesTencent Holdings is the 3rd largest internet company in the world, after Google and Amazon.For comparison, Activision Blizzard has ~4600 employees.5Biggest gaming event, ever.Oct 4th-13th$2,000,000 prize pool, 8 teams8.2 Million unique viewers on 13th for grand finals

HIMYM Season 8 premier had 8.8M ViewersMonday Night Football (last week) had 16M Viewers6CompetitionGameGenre# Active Players2012 Payout to ProsLeague of LegendsMOBA11.5 Million5 MillionDOTA 2 (Beta)MOBA1 Million2 MillionStarcraft 2RTS3.9 Million2 MillionDOTA 2 is very similar to League of Legends in that they are both MOBAs, and both working on building an eSport out of the game.DOTA 2 is currently invite only/pay to play. Valve, the developers of DOTA 2, have said that they do not have the server infrastructure in place to support additional players yet.Starcraft 2 is an indirect competitior. They are both eSports, but of different genres. Think football vs basketball.7FutureAmbitious plans for 2013 pro circuitUpcoming competitionInternational growth, especially China and Korea

Minimum $5 million prize pool throughout 2013.DOTA 2 will go free to play with microtransactions.Currently working with Chinese authorities to modify game to be releasable in China (must meet several criteria set by government).League of Legends has overtaken Starcraft: Brood War as the largest eSport in Korea.8