Riot Games is considering making premium titles, says co-founder
Riot Games is exploring a potential strategic shift toward premium paid titles, according to comments from Chief Product Officer Marc Merrill during a PAX West fireside chat celebrating the company’s 20-year anniversary. The statement marks a notable consideration for the Tencent-owned developer, which has built its reputation primarily on free-to-play competitive games like League of Legends and Valorant.
Merrill’s remarks appear to signal the company’s desire to diversify beyond its traditional live-service model, emphasizing that “not every game needs to be infinite.” This philosophy suggests Riot may be reconsidering the industry’s prevalent focus on endless monetization cycles that often characterize modern live-service games.
The announcement follows Riot’s decision to discontinue development on 2XKO, its fighting game project. During the same presentation, Merrill reiterated the company’s long-standing pursuit of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), which he described as “the Grail”—underscoring its importance to Riot’s long-term vision.
The potential exploration of premium titles represents a significant diversification for the developer, potentially positioning Riot to reach audiences seeking traditionally monetized experiences while reducing dependence on live-service revenue models. While specific details about these premium game projects remain limited, Merrill’s comments indicate serious consideration of expanding the company’s portfolio beyond its core expertise.