League of Legends

League of Legends (LoL) is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Riot Games. Inspired by the Defense of the Ancients custom map for Warcraft III, the game launched on October 27, 2009. Players control champions with unique abilities, battling in teams to destroy the enemy Nexus on Summoner's Rift. The game is monetized through cosmetic purchases and is available on Windows and macOS.

LoL has grown into a global phenomenon, with over 160 champions and a deep lore known as Runeterra. The game's esports scene is the largest in the world, culminating in the annual World Championship. The 2019 finals drew over 100 million unique viewers. The success of the animated series Arcane in 2021 further expanded its cultural reach.

Despite criticisms of toxic player behavior, Riot has implemented systems like the Tribunal to improve the community. The game continues to receive regular updates, including new champions, balance changes, and seasonal events, maintaining its position as one of the most played PC games worldwide.[edit]

In League of Legends, two teams of five players select champions and battle on Summoner's Rift. Each champion has four abilities and a passive, with roles like top, jungle, mid, bot, and support. Players gain gold and experience by killing minions, monsters, and enemy champions, leveling up and purchasing items to strengthen their champion. The ultimate goal is to destroy the enemy Nexus, a structure in their base, while defending your own. The game features a fog of war, requiring vision control through wards. Matches typically last 20 to 40 minutes, with ranked and unranked queues available.[edit]

League of Legends originally had minimal lore, but Riot has since built the expansive Runeterra universe. The world includes regions like Demacia, a kingdom that shuns magic; Noxus, an expansionist empire; Ionia, a land of balance; and the twin cities of Piltover and Zaun, divided by technology and class. Champions like Lux, Darius, Yasuo, and Jinx each have backstories that intertwine with these regions. The animated series Arcane explores the origins of Vi, Jinx, Jayce, and Viktor, bridging the gap between Piltover and Zaun. The lore is continually expanded through in-game events, short stories, and comics.[edit]