Riot is developing an MMO—though it has been on this journey since 2020. Its ongoing development has raised questions about its viability, especially after a reset in March last year, which is usually a sign of struggles within a highly competitive industry.

Despite some early layoffs, hope remains, especially for co-founder Marc Merrill. In a recent interview with journalist Stephen Totilo, when asked about the relevance of dedicating time to an MMO project, Merrill expressed enthusiasm, stating: “Oh yeah. It’s probably the project I personally spend the most time on as well.”

MMORPGs have seen a decline in popularity, often overshadowed by live-service games. Merrill reflects the nostalgia many players have for MMOs, emphasizing the need for exceptional engagement and a world that captivates players.

“I think many people who have historically loved MMOs sort of nostalgically look back and wish they could rediscover [them]… You need to have great intellectual property, an incredible team, and the ability to create a compelling world that people want to live in.”

He mentions the importance of enhancing the Runeterra universe, where League of Legends is set, to entice players to explore this expansive world.

Merrill hopes the game will launch “before we go to Mars.” It’s a challenging endeavor for 2025, but Riot has the resources needed to support such a grand project.