Riot's MMO Lives...

Summary

The video discusses the ongoing development of Riot's MMO, addressing speculation about its status. Despite rumors of decline, the MMO is alive and actively being worked on, with new job listings for engineers signaling progress. The use of Unreal Engine for the MMO, along with Riot's commitment to long-term investments in projects like Arcane, is emphasized. The video also explores concerns about Riot's reputation, particularly related to monetization practices in League of Legends, and how it could impact the MMO's future success. Despite these challenges, the MMO's continued development remains promising.

Takeaways

• 😀 The MMO project from Riot Games is alive and still in development, with ongoing efforts to improve and expand it.
• 😀 Recent job postings indicate Riot is actively hiring for roles that will contribute to building the MMO, suggesting progress in the development phase.
• 😀 Riot’s MMO will likely use Unreal Engine 5, continuing the trend of MMOs being developed on this platform, even though Unreal Engine was initially considered unsuitable for such games.
• 😀 Riot's developers are personally engaged in the MMO community, such as participating in events and playing classic WoW hardcore servers.
• 😀 The MMO's development includes technical roles, focusing on backend infrastructure, scalable systems, and reliable game features for millions of players.
• 😀 There is an emphasis on Unreal Engine-specific tools and workflows, with some roles requiring expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine 4/5.
• 😀 The MMO team is also exploring AI-driven tools to optimize workflows, though this is likely referring to procedural generation for assets and not AI-driven content creation.
• 😀 Speculation about a 2025 launch for the MMO is ongoing, but no official confirmation has been made, despite some unofficial leaks hinting at a development launch in October 2025.
• 😀 Despite recent controversies over monetization strategies in League of Legends, the MMO's development may still benefit from Riot's long-term investment strategy, including revenue generated from gacha systems and other in-game purchases.
• 😀 Arcane's popularity and Riot's expanding global reach suggest that interest in the League of Legends universe, and by extension the MMO, is growing, rather than diminishing, particularly outside of the core League player base.

Q & A

Is the Riot MMO dead?

No, the Riot MMO is not dead. Despite limited updates, it is still active in development, with recent job listings and ongoing internal activity.

Why is there sudden interest in the MMO again?

The MMO has gained renewed attention partly because of job postings, rumors circulating online, and the involvement of Riot developers in related events like World of Warcraft Classic.

What is the significance of Riot developers playing World of Warcraft Classic?

Riot developers actively participating in World of Warcraft Classic, especially the hardcore mode, shows their personal interest in MMOs and suggests a hands-on approach to understanding the genre. It also helps hype the upcoming MMO.

What kind of software engineers is Riot hiring for the MMO?

Riot is hiring staff software engineers to work on backend services, scalable systems, and infrastructure, specifically to support gameplay and player progression within the MMO.

What is the relationship between Riot and Unreal Engine for the MMO?

Riot is using Unreal Engine for the MMO, which makes sense given their long-term relationship with Epic Games. Unreal Engine has improved its capabilities for MMO development, making it a viable choice for Riot.

What is the role of AI mentioned in the job listings?

In the context of the job listings, AI is likely referring to tools that improve development workflows, such as automating asset creation or assisting with system architecture. It’s not about generative AI for content creation.

What does 'development launch' mean for the MMO?

A 'development launch' likely refers to the point when the MMO moves into full production, possibly including an announcement or trailer. This could happen as soon as 2025, though details are not confirmed.

What are the criticisms about Riot's monetization strategies?

Riot has faced criticism for its monetization strategies, particularly in League of Legends, where expensive skins and gacha systems have led to dissatisfaction among players. This could potentially impact the MMO if similar strategies are implemented.

What does the post on Reddit suggest about the MMO's future?

The Reddit post suggests that Riot's growing reputation for greed and poor monetization could hurt the MMO project in the long term, particularly if they implement gacha systems or poor progression mechanics.

Has interest in Riot's universe declined?

No, interest in Riot's universe has not declined. In fact, the success of projects like Arcane and the popularity of Mel (likely a reference to one of Riot’s characters) show that the universe is more engaging than ever, attracting both new and returning players.