UPDATE 12/18: Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent tweeted regarding the developer's RPG, stating that a formal introduction to the game would be unveiled at Riot Games' 20th anniversary. While this could be a joke, a nine-year timeline for MMO development, especially if only preliminary phases have begun, is not at all unrealistic. 

Original story:

Riot Games VP of IP & Entertainment Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street has confirmed the development of a League of Legends MMO in response to a tweet regarding his most recent job responsibility. Upon being asked if the new title was a MMO, Ghostcrawler confirmed that it was, though whether the MMO will be a League of Legends MMO or its own IP like Riot Games' tactical shooter VALORANT is currently unknown.

The original tweet by Ghostcrawler, which was posted on December 17, 2020 reads as follows: 

"I have news! My recent job at Riot has been to help develop the League universe, which we’re going to need!

Because it is time. My new job is to kick off a big (some might say massive) game that many of you, and many Rioters, have been asking us to create.

PS We’re hiring"

Last October on Riot Games' 10-year anniversary, the League of Legends developer announced it would be formally expanding its creative development beyond the League of Legends IP, as well as the current game design genres it had previously occupied. 

In addition to two tabletop games, Riot also boasts LoL-themed auto-battler Teamfight Tactics and LoL-themed card game Legends of Runeterra. VALORANT was released June 2020, and League of Legends: Wild Rift, a mobile and console-friendly version of the original game, was released October 2020. 

Riot Games has also confirmed that a League of Legends-themed fighting game, a League of Legends-themed RPG, and an esports manager simulator are in development. It is possible that the RPG mentioned in the 10-year anniversary announcement extravaganza could be the one that Ghostcrawler is currently developing.

Inven Global has reached out to Riot Games for comment, and a representative of the developer confirmed that Ghostcrawler will be working on the MMORPG, but declined to comment further. 

All images by: Riot Games

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