Riot
Company
Documents about Riot
Market Wire: February 27, 2023
This industry update provides a snapshot of the free-to-play (F2P) mobile gaming sector as of late February 2023, focusing on technological shifts, regional market strategies, and cybersecurity threats.
- Activision suffered a data breach in December 2022 where hackers exfiltrated sensitive employee information, including names, emails, phone numbers, and salaries, alongside future content schedules.
- Generative AI is increasingly integrated into game development for asset creation, NPC dialogue, and user-generated content, with companies like Roblox, Ready Player Me, and Inworld AI actively deploying these tools.
- Krafton is positioning 'Road to Valour: Empire' as a key title for the Indian mobile market, incorporating localized features such as Hindi language support and specific starter packs to navigate regional regulatory requirements.
ONE Esports Named International Media Partner of LPL
ONE Esports has been named the official international media partner for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), the premier professional League of Legends circuit in China.
- ONE Esports has been named the official international media partner for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) for the 2023 season.
- This agreement marks the third consecutive year that ONE Esports has served as the international media partner for China's official League of Legends league.
- Under the partnership, ONE Esports will disseminate official LPL media announcements and provide coverage of select stories on its web portal, oneesports.gg.
Staff Cuts Hit IGC’s Immortals
In February 2023, the esports organization Immortals implemented a round of staff layoffs.
- Immortals, a subsidiary of Immortals Gaming Club (IGC), conducted a round of staff layoffs on February 15, 2023.
- Company executives have declined to disclose the specific number of employees affected by the staff reductions.
- Immortals Gaming Club’s broader portfolio includes the Los Angeles Valiant (Overwatch League), the Brazilian organization MIBR, and the platform Gamers Club.
Riot Games, NODWIN Gaming Sign Two-Year Agreement for Valorant Esports: South Asia
Riot Games and Indian tournament organizer NODWIN Gaming have entered into a two-year partnership to manage the Valorant Challengers League in South Asia.
- Riot Games and NODWIN Gaming have signed a two-year agreement to operate the Valorant Challengers League in South Asia.
- The partnership includes a collaborative effort between Riot and NODWIN to secure sponsorships and media rights for the regional league.
- The Valorant Challengers League in South Asia will run annually from January to July, with the 2023 season beginning in March.
Toa Dunn Announces Exit From Riot Games
Toa Dunn, the longtime Head of Music at Riot Games, announced his departure from the company in February 2023. After a tenure spanning nearly a decade, Dunn exited to pursue new, undisclosed professional opportunities.
- Toa Dunn, the longtime Head of Riot Games Music, announced his departure from the company in February 2023.
- Dunn spent nearly a decade at Riot Games, joining the company in 2013 as a music development producer.
- During his tenure, Dunn led the development of music, television, and film initiatives, including the creation of production standards across the company's ecosystem.
Africa’s Mobile Gaming Market and Carry1st
Africa’s mobile gaming sector represents a nascent yet high-growth frontier, fueled by a rapidly expanding youth population and increasing smartphone and 4G penetration across the continent.
- Carry1st has raised approximately $57 million in total funding since 2018, with a $27 million pre-Series B round in January 2023 led by BITKRAFT Ventures to scale its publishing and payment infrastructure.
- Africa's mobile gaming market is nascent but growing, with an estimated gross in-app purchase revenue of $285 million in 2022 and a total market value likely between $250 million and $750 million.
- The number of internet users in Africa reached approximately 540 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.94% through 2028.
Riot Reveals Capsule Collection for VCT LOCK//IN
Riot Games has introduced the VCT LOCK//IN Capsule, a limited-time collection of in-game digital items designed to provide direct financial support to partnered professional teams.
- Riot Games is launching the VCT LOCK//IN Capsule, an in-game item collection that provides 50% of its revenue directly to officially partnered teams.
- The in-game collection, which includes melee items, regional player cards, and a spray, will be available for purchase from February 8 to March 7, 2023.
- The VCT LOCK//IN tournament begins on February 13 in São Paulo, Brazil, featuring 32 teams competing for a $500,000 USD prize pool.
Chinese Overwatch League Teams Ponder Options as They Wait for Activision Blizzard
The dissolution of the partnership between NetEase and Activision Blizzard in early 2023 created significant instability for the four Chinese teams competing in the Overwatch League: the Guangzhou Charge, Hangzhou Spark, Chengdu Hunters, and Shanghai Dragons.
- The dissolution of the partnership between NetEase and Activision Blizzard has created significant uncertainty for China’s four Overwatch League (OWL) teams: the Shanghai Dragons, Guangzhou Charge, Hangzhou Spark, and Chengdu Hunters.
- Chinese OWL teams are operating on reduced budgets and delaying further investment until Activision Blizzard identifies an alternative Chinese distributor for its titles.
- Industry experts and internal sources anticipate potential widespread layoffs in the Chinese esports sector, affecting professional players, streamers, and talent due to the uncertain future of Blizzard games in the region.
OpTic Gaming Cuts Staff
In January 2023, the Frisco, Texas-based esports organization OpTic Gaming initiated a round of staff layoffs.
- Frisco, Texas-based esports organization OpTic Gaming laid off at least three employees on January 26, 2023.
- Confirmed departures include OpTic Brand Manager Lindsay Caudill and a team operations staffer, Ian Huston, along with one additional employee in a creative role.
- OpTic Gaming did not provide a comment or confirm the total number of staff affected by the layoffs.
LCS Opening Day: Sponsors and Partners 2023
The 2023 League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) season features a diverse roster of corporate partners, reflecting the continued integration of non-endemic and endemic brands within the North American esports ecosystem.
- The 2023 LCS Spring Finals are scheduled for April 8–9 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, with ticket sales commencing January 26.
- Mastercard continues as a primary partner, serving as the presenting partner for opening day, the opening ceremony, and the 'Player of the Week' sweepstakes.
- GrubHub has been named the presenting sponsor for both the LCS Spring Finals and the LCS Championship, featuring viewer-focused activations like 'Delivering the Win' promo codes and Hextech Chest giveaways.
Hackers Attempt to Extort Riot Games Following Security Breach
Riot Games experienced a significant security breach in January 2023, resulting in the exfiltration of source code for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and a legacy anticheat platform.
- Riot Games confirmed that hackers exfiltrated source code for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and a legacy anticheat platform following a social engineering attack.
- The attackers contacted Riot Games demanding a ransom payment, which the company officially refused to pay.
- Riot Games stated that no player data or personal information was compromised during the security breach.
People on the Move: Jan. 21, 2023
The industry update for January 21, 2023, serves as a comprehensive digest of executive appointments, departures, and legal developments within the global esports and gaming sectors.
- Alban Dechelotte has been appointed as the permanent CEO of G2 Esports, transitioning from his previous interim role.
- Matt O’Brien, currently the senior VP of global partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been named the new chief revenue officer of 100 Thieves.
- Former Esports Entertainment Group CEO Grant Johnson has filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking $3.1 million in damages for breach of contract.
