Lecture Notes: Overview of League of Legends

Introduction

• League of Legends (LoL): Also known as League, is a 2009 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game.
• Developer/Publisher: Riot Games.
• Inspiration: Inspired by Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a custom map for Warcraft III.
• Platform: Available on Microsoft Windows and macOS.
• Release Date: October 27, 2009.

Gameplay

• Mode: Multiplayer, two teams of five players.
• Objective: Destroy the opposing team's Nexus, located in their base.
• Map: The primary map is called Summoner's Rift.
• Champion System: Players control a champion with unique abilities.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Earn experience points (XP) to level up.
  • Accumulate gold to buy items.
  • Champions gain strength by defeating opponents and structures.

Game Modes

• Summoner's Rift: Main game mode with ranked competitive ladder.
• ARAM: "All Random, All Mid" - a simpler version on a smaller map.
• Teamfight Tactics: Auto-battler mode.
• Temporary Modes: Include Ultra Rapid Fire (URF), One for All, and Nexus Blitz.

Development and Release History

• Founders: Brandon Beck and Marc Merill seeking a polished successor to DotA.
• Initial Challenges: Free-to-play model faced skepticism from traditional publishers.
• Launch: Announced in 2008, beta in April 2009, full release in October 2009.
• Updates: Regular patches every two or three weeks since 2014.

Monetization

• Free-to-Play Model: Revenue through the sale of cosmetic items like skins.
• Riot Points (RP): In-game currency for purchasing items.
• Gacha Mechanics: Introduced for exclusive skins, leading to player controversies.

Esports

• Global Presence: Largest esport with regional leagues and annual World Championship.
• Viewership: 2019 World Championship had over 100 million unique viewers.
• League Structure: Franchised and operates 12 regional leagues.

Cultural Impact

• Spin-offs: Includes mobile version Wild Rift, card game Legends of Runeterra, RPG Ruined King.
• Music and Comics: Virtual bands like Pentakill and K/DA, collaborations with Marvel Comics.
• Animated Series: Arcane premiered on Netflix in 2021, receiving critical acclaim.

Community and Critiques

• Player Behavior: Long-standing issues with in-game toxicity.
• Riot's Efforts: Various systems to monitor and improve player behavior.
• Critical Reception: Initially mixed reviews, improved with ongoing updates.

Conclusion

• Legacy: Considered one of the greatest video games, impacting both gaming and entertainment industries.