Just a few years in the past, Riot Video games introduced the event of an MMORPG set in Runeterra, the universe of its ultra-popular MOBA League of Legends.
We have not heard a lot since, and at this time we be taught why due to a collection of posts on X (previously Twitter) by co-founder and co-chairman Marc Merrill, who revealed that the undertaking’s growth has been reset a while in the past.
That being stated, he additionally confirmed that the sport remains to be within the works.
We hear that the developer has taken the tough resolution to return to the drafting board as a result of the preliminary imaginative and prescient did not do sufficient to distinguish itself from different MMORPG that exist already in the marketplace.
The goal is to realize one thing that might deliver a “vital evolution of the style” and this new route will likely be led by govt producer Fabrice Condominas, who labored on Star Wars: Squadrons at EA, and Mass Impact 3 and Mass Impact Andromeda at Bioware.
The earlier govt producer, Vijay Thakkar, will stay on the undertaking and revert to his earlier position as Technical Director.
Sadly, this additionally implies that we cannot hear any information about this undertaking for a very long time. In accordance with Merrill, it might take “a number of years,” as you’ll be able to see within the full message beneath.
Hey all – We all know a lot of you might be hungry for information concerning the Riot Video games MMO undertaking, and we actually recognize your endurance and the unbelievable assist you’ve got proven us up to now. I’m writing to replace you at this time on the place we’re at. And earlier than anybody panics: sure, we’re nonetheless engaged on the sport.
After plenty of reflection and dialogue, we have determined to reset the route of the undertaking a while in the past. This resolution wasn’t simple, but it surely was crucial. The preliminary imaginative and prescient simply wasn’t totally different sufficient from what you’ll be able to play at this time.
We don’t imagine you all need an MMO that you simply’ve performed earlier than with a Runeterra coat of paint; to really do justice to the potential of Runeterra and to fulfill the extremely excessive expectations of gamers all over the world, we have to do one thing that really seems like a big evolution of the style.
This can be a enormous problem, however one which our staff of deeply passionate MMO gamers and recreation growth veterans is extremely motivated to pursue.
With this new route, I am excited to introduce @Faburisu as the brand new Government Producer of the MMO. Fabrice’s expertise as a participant and fervour for creating immersive worlds is extraordinary. Having led massive initiatives at Riot, BioWare, and EA, he brings a contemporary perspective and a shared dedication to excellence that may information our staff as they proceed on this tough journey.
We began laying the groundwork for this pivot a while in the past and over the past yr below Vijay Thakkar’s administration, we constructed key parts of the technical basis to create the sort of bold recreation we’re speaking about. We’re grateful for Vijay’s management and that he’ll be a part of the sport management staff going ahead as our Technical Director.
Resetting our growth path additionally means we will likely be “going darkish” for a very long time—probably a number of years. This silence will assist present house for the staff to concentrate on the unbelievable quantity of labor forward of them. We perceive the joy and anticipation that surrounds new data, however we ask on your belief throughout this silent part.
Bear in mind, ‘no information is sweet information,’ because it means we’re onerous at work, pouring our hearts and souls into making one thing that we hope you’ll love.
Thanks for believing in us and on your endurance. We’re extremely dedicated to this mission and we stay up for the journey forward and the tales we’ll inform collectively.
The undertaking survived a huge wave of layoffs at Riot Video games that noticed the departure of about 530 workers. Sadly, this resulted within the elimination of the Riot Forge label, which has allowed exterior builders to increase the League of Legends lore and world.
The charming Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story is the final recreation for Riot Forge, because the developer refocuses its sources on its core video games. But, the League of Legends combating recreation 2XKO can be shifting ahead.