league of legends
DESCRIPTION
League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.TRANSCRIPT
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 1/15
LeagueofLegends
Developer(s) RiotGames
Publisher(s) WWRiotGamesCNTencentHoldingsLtdASGarena
Director(s) Tom"Zileas"Cadwell
Producer(s) StevenSnowTravisGeorge
Designer(s) ChristinaNormanRobGarrettSteveFeak
Artist(s) EdmundoSanchezTroyAdamPaulKwon
Composer(s) ChristianLinke
Platform(s) MicrosoftWindows,OSX
Releasedate(s) WWOctober27,2009
Genre(s) Multiplayeronlinebattlearena
Mode(s) Multiplayer
Distribution Download
LeagueofLegendsFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
LeagueofLegends(LoL)isamultiplayeronlinebattlearenavideogamedevelopedandpublishedbyRiotGamesforMicrosoftWindows[1]andMacOSX.ItisafreetoplaygamethatissupportedbymicrotransactionsandinspiredbythemodDefenseoftheAncients[2]forthevideogameWarcraftIII:TheFrozenThrone.
InLeagueofLegends,playersassumetheroleofacharacter,calleda"champion",withuniqueabilities,battlingwithateamagainstotherplayerorcomputercontrolledchampions.Inthemostpopulargamemodes,eachteam'sgoalistodestroytheopposingteam'snexus,abuildingwhichliesattheheartofabaseprotectedbydefensivestructures.EachLeagueofLegendsgameisdiscrete,withallchampionsstartingoffeachgamefairlyweakandprogressingbyaccumulatinggoldandexperienceoverthecourseofthegame.[3]
LeagueofLegendswasgenerallywellreceivedatrelease,andithasgrowninpopularityintheyearssince.ByJuly2012,LeagueofLegendswasthemostplayedPCgameinNorthAmericaandEuropeintermsofthenumberofhoursplayed.[4]AsofJanuary2014,over67millionpeopleplayLeagueofLegendspermonth,27millionperday,andover7.5millionconcurrentlyduringpeakhours.[5]
LeagueofLegendshasalarge,activecompetitivescene.InNorthAmericaandEurope,RiotGamesorganizestheLeagueofLegendsChampionshipSeries,whichconsistsof10[6]professionalteamsineachcontinent.SimilarregionalcompetitionsexistinChina,Korea,Taiwan,andSoutheastAsia.TheseregionalcompetitionsculminatewiththeannualLeagueofLegendsWorldChampionship,whichin2013hadagrandprizeof$1millionandattracted32millionviewersonline.[7]The2014tournamenthadthefifthlargestprizepoolinesportshistory,sittingat2.3milliondollars.[8][9]
Contents
1Gameplay
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 2/15
1.1Gamemodesandmatchmaking2Development3Release4Reception
4.1Popularreception4.2Criticalreception4.3Awardsandnominations
5Tournaments5.1LeagueofLegendsWorldChampionship5.2ChampionshipSeries5.3Otherleagues5.4Allstars
6References7Externallinks
Gameplay
LeagueofLegendsisamultiplayeronlinebattlearenawhereplayerscontrola"champion"[10]withinshortPvPorbotbattles.AsofMarch1,2015,thereare123differentchampionsfromwhichtochoose,allofwhichareclassifiedbytype(assassin,tank,support,etc.),whichindicatesthechampion'sgameplaystyle.[11]
Playersgainlevelsfromkillingtheopposingteam'schampions,controlledbyotherplayersorbots,andminionsthatregularlyspawnandattacktheotherteam'sturrets,minions,andchampions.Intheclassicgamemode,themapistypicallydividedintothree"lanes",whicharepathsthatspawnedminionstakethe"jungle",anareabetweenlaneswhereneutralmonstersspawnand"bases",whereplayersspawnandcanpurchaseitems.Thethreelanesarecomposedofthebottom,mid,andtoplanes,whichdifferentchampionstendtobattleonbasedontheirrespectivetypes.Thejungleissometimesconsideredalane,wheresomechampionstendtoroaminordertocollectbuffsandassistintheotherlanesfreely.Theplayerearnsasmallamountofgoldeverysecondpassivelybutcanearnmorebygettingthelasthitonminions,destroyingenemytowers(referredtoasturrets)thatguardthelanes,killingneutralmonsterslocatedinthejungle,andkillingenemychampions.Withthisgold,userscanbuyavarietyofitemstostrengthentheirchampionfortheremainingdurationofthegame.OntheclassicSummonersRift,TwistedTreeline,andHowlingAbyssmaps,thegameisendedbydestroyingtheenemyteam'slaststructureonthemap,calledthe"Nexus",fromwhichminionsspawn.Othermapshavevariationsofrulesandobjectives,suchasDominionontheCrystalScarmap,whereeachteam'sNexusloseshealthiftheopposingteamcontrolsatleastthreeofthefivetowerslocatedaroundthemap.[12]
TheLeagueofLegendsStoreallowsplayerstopurchaseadditionaloptionsthrough"RiotPoints"(RP)and"InfluencePoints"(IP).RiotPointsmustbeboughtusingrealmoney,whileInfluencePointsareearnedbyplayingthegame.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 3/15
ChampionsQuinnandJinx(bottom)faceoffagainstTaric(top)inthebottomlaneofSummoner'sRift
Theplayerisidentifiedasa"summoner"andactsasthepersistentelementinthegame.Asummoner'sstatisticsandscoresaretrackedandareaccessibletotheplayer.[13][14]SummonersgainexperiencepointsandInfluencePointsforeachbattletheyparticipatein.Experiencepointsleadtopersistentlevelgainsforthesummoner,uptoamaximumlevelof30.ThebenefitofgaininglevelsisunlockingMasteryPointsandRunePageslots(below)whichimprovetheoverallstrengthofthesummoner'schosenchampionduringbattles.Thesummonercanalsochoosetwo"summonerspells",[13]whichsignificantlyimpactgameplayandhaveahighcooldownratewhilecostingnomana.PreviouslyinSeason3,SummonerSpellscouldbeenhancedwithspecificmasteries,butthosemasterieshavebeenremovedsincethestartofSeason4.Theonlyenhancementsthatremaindealwithlowercooldowns.Allofthemasteriesarepassiveeffects,althoughsomeaugmentitemswhichcanbeactivated.Theyaregroupedintooffensive,defensive,andutilitycategories.Masteriescanberedistributedatwillbetweenbattles.
Similartomasteries,runesaffectgameplayinminorways.RunesarecategorizedintoMarks(offensive),Seals(defensive),Glyphs(magic),andQuintessences(utility).Theymustbeunlockedinthestore.Tobenefitfromrunes,summonerscanarrangethemintheirRunebooks,whichhasalimitednumberofslotsforeachrunetype.However,morerunepagescanbepurchasedfromeitherInfluencePointsorRiotPoints.[15]
ModerationisconductedthroughademocraticsystemknownastheTribunal.Inthissystem,playersubmittedreportsarereviewedbyotherplayersonacasebycasebasis.Thereviewingplayersthensubmittheiropinionsonthelegalityofthebehaviordemonstrated.Aconsensusrendersthedecisionofficial.Itisnotablethatplayersareunabletobepermanentlybannedthroughthissystemsince"allpermanentbansaredistributedmanually."ReviewersreceiveaJusticeRatingbasedontheiraccuracytoencouragethoroughanalysisofcases.[16]AsofMay2014,theTribunalisunavailableinfavorofanautomatedsystemthathandsoutrestrictionsandshorttermbans.RiotGameshasstatedthattheTribunalisbeingupgraded.[17]
Gamemodesandmatchmaking
LeagueofLegendsisasessionbasedgame.MatchmakingcreatesteamswithevenaverageMatchmakingRating(MMR)oftheconstituentplayers.MMRusestheEloformulawithproprietaryadjustments.[18]
Tutorialmodeisasetoftwointroductorysessionsthatteachthebasicsofthegame.Itisintendedtohelpnewplayerslearnconceptssuchasthecontrolsandthegame'sHUD.Custommodeallowsplayerstocreategamesthatplayersmanuallyjoinratherthanrelyingonthegame'smatchmakingsystemtocreatetheteams.Incustommatches,theteamscanbeunevenandmayincludeamixofplayersandbots(computercontrolledchampions).Classicmodeisanormalorrankedmatchinwhichateamwinsbydestroyingtheenemyteam'sNexus,whichcanonlybeattackedifalllaneturretsandtheinhibitorinatleastonelaneandallbaseturretsaredestroyed.Classicmodeisplayedintwodifferentstyles:1.5vs.5onathreelanemap,eachteam'ssidehavingthreelaneturretsandaninhibitorperlane,aswellastwobaseturretsanda
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 4/15
Nexusand2.3vs.3onatwolanemap,eachteam'ssidehavingtwolaneturretsandaninhibitorperlane,aswellasonebaseturretandaNexus.Themapalsohasthreealtars,twoofwhichaddbonusestotheplayers,whilethelastonehealstheplayers.Thesealtarsaresurroundedbyajungle.TherearethreetypesofmatchesinClassicmode:
Normalmatchesareplayerversusplayer.Beforethebeginningofthematch,thereareseveralwaysforteamplayerstoselecttheirchampions.Blindpickmatchesallowbothteamstopickchampionsatthesametime,buteachteamdoesnotlearnwhattheopposingteamhaspickeduntilallpickshavebeenfinalizedplayersmaythereforeincidentallychoosethesamechampionasaplayerontheopposingteam,butplayersmaynotchoosethesamechampionasanotherplayerontheirownteam.Draftpickrandomlyassignsateamcaptainforeachteam,whothentaketurnsbanningthreechampionseach,disallowingbothteamsfromplayingthosesixchampions.Draftplayersthenchoosetheirchampionsinanorderedbackandforthformat.Becausebothteamscanseewhichchampioneachplayerispicking,noplayercanpickachampionthathasalreadybeenpickedbyanotherplayer.Rankedmatchesareavailabletoplayersthatarelevel30.Rankedusesadraftpicksystemexclusively,andplayersareseededintoaLeaguesystembasedontheoutcomeoftheirmatches.Winningandlosinggamesinfluencesaplayer'sMMR,whichisintendedtokeepallplayers'skilllevelsinanygivengameascloseaspossible.Coopvs.AImodematchesplayersagainstateamofbots.SimilartotheTutorialmode,itisalsointendedmainlyasawayforinexperiencedplayerstolearn.TeamBuilder,releasedonMarch27,2014,isanormalclassicmodequeuethatallowsplayerstoqueueupasaspecificchampionandroleoftheirchoice.Aftersubmittingyourselectionstotheteambuildersystem,youcanbuildyourownbalancedteamorjoinanexistingone.Teambuilderisintendedtobringplayerstogetherthatcomplementeachother'sexpectationsandintentionsthemomenttheyenterthelobby.Thisallowsformorecooperativeplayandcommunicationbetweenplayerswhoareplayingaroleandchampiontheywantratherthansomethingtheyareforcedtodo.
Dominionmodeisanormalmatchplayed5v5onCrystalScar,amapwithasinglecircularlanethathasfiveneutralturretsarrangedinastarpattern.Ateamwinsbyreducingthelifetotaloftheenemyteam'sNexus,whichonlyoccursiftheopposingteamcontrolsatleastthreeofthefiveneutralturrets,untilitiszero.ARAM(AllRandomAllMid)moderandomlypickschampionsthattheplayersareabletoplay,allowingupto2rerollsiftheplayerisunsatisfiedwiththeirpick.Playersmayalsotradewithteammatesifbothpartiesownthechampionstobetraded.Themodeisplayed5vs.5onHowlingAbyss,aonelanemapwitheachteam'ssidehavingtwolaneturrets,aninhibitor,twobaseturrets,andaNexus.Ateamwinsbydestroyingtheenemyteam'sNexus,whichcanonlybeattackedifboth
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 5/15
laneturrets,theinhibitor,andbothbaseturretsaredestroyed.OneforAllmodewasthefirstlimitedtimegamemodethatwasavailableduringthe2013Harrowing,anditisnolongeravailable.Inthisgamemode,eachteamwasrandomlyassignedacaptain,whothentookturnsbanningthreechampionseach,disallowingbothteamsfromplayingthosesixchampions.Playersoneachteamwouldthenselectchampionsatthesametime.Eachplayerwasonlyawareoftheirownteam'schoicesuntilallpicksarefinalized,aswithblindpick.However,therewasnorestrictiononchoosingachampionthathadalreadybeenpicked.Onceallplayershadbeenchosen,eachteamwasassignedthechampionthatwaspickedbythemostplayersonthatteam,andallplayershadtoplayasthatchampion.Intheeventofatie,thegamerandomlyselectedthechampion.OneforAllcouldbeplayed5vs.5oneithertheSummoner'sRiftorHowlingAbyssmaps.ThisgamemodelaterreturnedattheendofMay2014,withanewtwistbothteamswereassignedthesamechampion.Thisversion,calledOneForAll:MirrorModetookplaceonlyontheHowlingAbyss(ARAM)map.Showdownwasthesecondlimitedtimegamemode,availableduringthe2013SnowdownShowdown.Showdownwasplayedeither1vs.1or2vs.2ontheHowlingAbyssmap.Eachteamplayeduntiloneteamachievedoneofthreegoals:takingdownanenemyturret,reaching100teamminionkills,orkillingtheenemyplayer(ortwoin2vs.2matches).Hexakillmodewasthethirdlimitedtimegamemode.TakingplaceonSummonersRift,eachteamhadsixplayersinsteadofthetypicalfive.HexakillreturnedontotheTwistedTreelineMap,inOctober24,2014,astheseventhlimitedtimegamemode.UltraRapidFiremodewasintroducedonApril1,2014asthefourthlimitedtimegamemode.ItwasaClassicDraftgame,exceptthatallchampionshadtheirmovementspeedincreased,gainedgoldquicker,usedabilitieswithoutusingmanaorenergy,andhadmorepowerfulrangedattacks,among
otherchanges.Severalchampionswereunavailableinthismode.[19][20]
DoomBotsofDoomwasthefifthlimitedtimegamemode,releasedonJuly17,2014.IttookplaceonSummoner'sRift,wherefiveactualplayerswouldplayagainstfiveAIenemieswithextremelymodifiedabilities,makingthemextremelydangerous.Playerswonbydestroyingtheenemynexus,pernormalgamerules,andtheylostiftheirownnexuswasdestroyed.Therewerethreedifficultymodesavailable,"1Bomb",theeasiest,"2Bombs",amediumdifficultymode,and"5Bombs",anextremelydifficultandhardcoreversionofthemode.AscensionwasthesixthlimitedtimegamemodeandwasreleasedaspartoftheShurimaeventonSeptember10,2014.ItwasavailableonlyontheCrystalScarandwasheldasa5v.s.5draftpickmode.SimilartotheDominionmode,eachteam'sNexuscouldonlybedestroyedbyaccruingpoints,whichtakesdowntheHPfromtheenemyNexus.Pointscouldbeaccruedinnumerousways,bykillingenemychampions,bycapturingRelicsofShurima,orbykillingtheAscended.TheCrystalScarmapwasalsomodifiedsothattheoutermostareaofthemapwasengulfedinasandstorm,
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 6/15
blockingplayersfromenteringorexitingthespawningplatforms.Playerscouldonlyexitthosespawningplatformsviaateleportationitemavailabletoeveryone,butplayerscouldnotreenterthemunlesstheydieandrespawn.Thegoldandexperiencegainwasmodifiedsothateveryplayergainedthesameamountofgoldandexperience,regardlessofkillsorassistsaccrued(unlessplayershadgoldgenerationitemsorperksequipped).Inthemiddleofthemap,aneutralmonstercalledanAscendedwillspawn,andwhomeverlandsthefinalhitonthemonsterwillgranttheirteampointswhilegrantingthekilleraselfbuff,whichmakesthemstronger.Iftheplayerwiththisbuffiskilled,thenextrapointswillbegranted,however,whilethebuffisactive,killsaccruedbytheplayerwiththebuffwillgrantmorepoints.LegendofthePoroKingwastheeighthlimitedtimegamemode.ItwasreleasedalongsidetheWinterSeasonforLeagueofLegends.ThemaincharacteristicsforthisgamemodeisforbothteamstothrowPorosandsuccessfullyhittheenemychampions.Eachhitequals1point.Onceeithersidehasreached10points,thePoroKingisspawnedtopushlanes,whilethescoreboardisdisabled,thePoroKingstaysalivetilldispelledandthenthescoreboardwillreturn.ThemodeendedonJanuary6,2015.
Development
Thegame'sdeveloperRiotGameswascofoundedbyBrandon"Ryze"BeckandMarc"Tryndamere"Merrill.TheypartneredwithSteve"Guinsoo"Feak,thepreviousdesignerofthepopularWarcraftIII:TheFrozenThronecustommapDefenseoftheAncients,andSteve"Pendragon"Mescon,theadministratoroftheformerofficialsupportbaseforthemaptodevelopLeagueofLegends.[21]UsingtheoriginalDotAcreatedbyEul(theoriginalDefenceofTheAncientsmapforWarcraftIII:ReignofChaos)asabase,GuinsoomadeDotAAllstarsbyinsertinghisownmixofcontent,greatlyexpandingthenumberofheroes,addedrecipesanditems,andintroducedvariousgameplaychanges.Guinsoothenpassedversion6ofthemapontoanewdeveloper,IceFrog.
TheideaofaspiritualsuccessortoDefenseoftheAncientswasthatitwouldbeitsownstandalonegamewithitsownengine,ratherthananothermodofWarcraftIII,begantomaterializeattheendof2005.LeagueofLegendswasborn"whenacoupleofveryactiveDotAcommunitymembersbelievedthatthegameplaywassomuchfunandsoinnovativethatitrepresentedthespawningofanewgenreanddeservedtobeitsownprofessionalgamewithsignificantlyenhancedfeaturesandaroundgameservices."[22]
RiotGamesofficiallyopeneditsofficeinSeptember2006,andcurrentlyhasover1,000peopleworkingonLeagueofLegends.AccordingtoMarcMerrill,whencreatingthevariouschampionsinthegame,insteadofleavingthechampioncreationtojustafewpeople,theydecidedtoopenupthechampioncreationprocesstoeveryoneinthecompanybaseduponatemplatewheretheycouldvoteonwhichchampionsmadeitintothegame.
LeagueofLegendswasfirstannouncedonOctober7,2008.ItwasinaclosedbetafromApril10,2009,toOctober22,2009.Itthentransitionedtoopenbetauntilrelease.[23][24]
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 7/15
Release
LeagueofLegendswasreleasedonOctober27,2009.[25]
RiotGamesselfpublishesandoperatesthegameandallofitscustomerserviceaspectsinNorthAmerica.RiotGameshassigneddealsregardingthedistributionofLeagueofLegendsinAsia,Europe,andNorthAmerica.ByJuly2013,thegamehasbeenreleasedandwasdistributedinAustralia,theUnitedStates,Canada,Europe,Philippines,[26]andSouthKorea.Nopublicannouncementsregardingotherregionshavebeenmade.
InAsia,TencentInc.,China'slargestInternetvalueaddedservicescompanybestknownforitsQQInstantMessagingclient,hasbeeninchargeofthedistributiontoTencent'sgrowing300millionInternetuserbasethroughitsleadingQQGameportal.ThedealwasoneofonlyahandfulofpartnershipstobringaU.S.developedonlinegamedirectlytoChina.
InEurope,RiotGameshassignedaninternationallicensingpartnershipwithGOA,thevideogamesdepartmentofOrange'sContentDivisionandEurope'slargestgamingportal.OnOctober13,2009,GOAandRiotannouncedthattheywouldstartchannelingserveraccessforplayerslocatedinEuropetoGOA'sdedicatedservers.[27]ThisrestrictionmeantthatplayerslocatedinEuropewouldnotbeabletoplayonRiot'sserversintheUnitedStates.Duetonegativecommunityfeedback,thechannelingdecisionwasrescindedOctober16,2009.[28]
OnMarch23,2013,thecinematographicstudiosinRomehostedtheItalianlaunchofLeagueofLegends.Morethan1,500peoplewerepresent,alongwithRiotGamesdevelopers,journalists,andvariousguests.TheshowscheduleincludedacosplaycontestandachallengematchbetweentwoItalianclans.[29]
OnMay10,2010,RiotGamesannouncedthattheywouldtakeoverdistributionandoperationofthegameinEurope.[30]Todoso,RiotGamesestablishedaEuropeanHQinDublin.[31]
OnJuly14,2009,RiotGamesannouncedthatLeagueofLegendswillbefreewith"nocatch".[13][32]Therewillbeadigitalcopyfordownload,butthereisalsoaDigitalCollector'sCopythatwillbeavailabletopurchasethatcontainsexclusiveskins,$10creditforRiotPoints,and20championstoaccesswithoutunlockingthemnormallyviagameplayaswellas4"special"runes.ThisCollector'sPackiscurrentlyavailableforUS$29.99.[33][34]Eventhoughthegameisfree,RiotGames"plan[s]tocontinuetoaddcontent(charactersetc...)withafullproductionteamatveryfrequentintervals."[35]Usingbothfreetoplayandfreemiummodels,thegameissupportedbymicrotransactions(seestore)ratherthanadsorboxedcopysales.[36]
OnFebruary25,2010,RiotGamesannouncedthatLeagueofLegendswouldbedistributedinSoutheastAsiancountriesbyanunspecifiedpublisherandblockedSEAIPaddressespursuanttoitsdistributionagreement.[37]ThecommunityhasraisedanumberofconcernsaboutthedealandtheimmediateIPblock.OnJuly16,2010,RiotGamesannouncedthatGarenawouldpublishthegameinSoutheastAsia.[38]Additionally,SoutheastAsianplayershadtheability"transferaccounts"toimporttheirprogressstoredinNorthAmericanorEuropeanserversintotheSoutheastAsianserver.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 8/15
Reception
InMarch2013,RiotGamesreleasedabetaversionofanOSXclientinadditiontotheirWindowsclient.[39]
InApril2014,RiotGamesannounceditsToykoofficeasapartoftheireffortstopushthegameintotheJapaneseeSportsindustry.[40]InconjunctionwiththeirannouncementofalocalizedclientintheworksattheTokyoGameShow2014,itwasrevealedthatJapanwouldfeatureitsownLeagueofLegendsJapanLeaguewhereteamswouldcompeteontheprofessionallevel.[41][42]
Reception
Popularreception
InareleasepublishedinNovember2011,RiotGamesclaimedthatLeagueofLegendshadaccumulated32.5millionplayers,11.5millionofwhomplaymonthly,ofwhich4.2millionplaydaily.[43]AccordingtoRiotinOctober2013,thegamehad12millionactivedailyplayersand32millionactivemonthlyplayers.InJanuary2014,thegamehad27millionactivedailyplayers,7.5millionconcurrentplayersatpeaktimes,and67millionactivemonthlyplayers.[44]Globalconcurrentusersonlinepeakedatover5millionplayersasofMarch2013.[45][46]
InMarch2012,LeagueofLegendsbecamethe#1titleinKoreanPCcafs.[47]InJuly2012,XfirereleasedareportstatingthatLeagueofLegendswasthemostplayedPCgameinNorthAmericaandEurope,with1.3billionhoursloggedbyplayersinthoseregionsbetweenJuly2011andJune2012.[4]LeagueofLegendsisalsoverypopularinthePhilippines,and,asofJuly2013,itisthesecondmostplayedgameininternetcafsinthecountry(justbehindDefenseoftheAncients).[48]InTaiwan,itisestimatedthatalmost5percentoftheirentirepopulationplayedthegame,withalmost1millionplayerssubscribedontheserver.[49]
Criticalreception
LeagueofLegendshasreceivedgenerallyfavorablereviews,andcurrentlyholdsaMetacriticscoreof78outof100.[51]
IGNinitiallyawardedLeagueofLegends8.0outof10in2009,highlightinganenjoyablegamedesign,inventivechampiondesignwithgoodcustomizationoptions,andlivelyvisuals.However,thegame'sconfusinglaunchwascriticized:itwasfeltthatthetitlewasreleasedtooearly,withsomefeaturesmissingandotherstoberemoved.Finally,thereviewernotedthathighlevelplayersinthegamehave"littlepatiencefornewcomers",thoughthereviewerbelievedthatmatchmaking(notimplementedatthetimeofreview)wouldsolvetheproblembymatchingplayersofsimilarleveltogether.[59]
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 9/15
AggregatescoresAggregator Score
GameRankings 78.72%[50]
Metacritic 78%[51]
ReviewscoresPublication Score
1UP.com A[52]
AllGame [53]
Eurogamer [54]
GameRevolution B+[55]
GameSpy [56]
GameZone [57]
IGN 9.2/10[58]
Awards
Publication Award
Gamespy Gamer'sChoiceAwardforPCGameoftheYear(2009)
IGN Reader'sChoiceAwardforPCBestStrategyGameandPCBestMultiplayerGame(2009)
Gamasutra 2010BestOnlineTechnology
2010BestOnlineVisualArts2010BestOnlineGameDesign2010BestNewOnlineGame
2010AudienceAward
LeahB.JacksonofIGNrereviewedthegamein2014,changingIGN'sscorefrom8.0to9.2.Jacksonhailedthegameasa"firmasanexampleofexcellence",praisingthevarietyofchampions,rewardingprogressionsystems,andfastbutintenselystrategicteamplay.[58]
AscomparedtofellowMOBAgamesHeroesofNewerthandDota2,MikeMinottiofVentureBeatconsideredthegametheeasiesttolearnandtohavefastestgameplaypaceofthethree.[60]
Awardsandnominations
Date Awards Category Result
December14,2009
IGNPCBestStrategyGame2009
Readers'Choice Winner[61]
December21,2009
GamespyGamers'ChoiceAwards2009
PCGamers'Choice Winner
[62]
October8,2010
1stGameDevelopersOnlineChoiceAwards
BestOnlineTechnology,VisualArts,GameDesign,NewOnlineGame,AudienceAward
Winner[63]
October29,2010
GoldenJoystickAward
OnlineGameOfTheYear Winner
[64]
October21,2011
GoldenJoystickAward
BestFreeToPlayGame Winner
[65]
Tournaments
The2010WorldCyberGamesGrandFinalsinLosAngeleshostedaLeagueofLegendstournament,atwhichteamsfromChina,Europe,andtheAmericascompeted.TheCounterLogicGamingteamfromNorthAmericawonthetournament,earninga$7,000prize.[66]
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 10/15
LeagueofLegendsWorldChampionship
Season1ChampionshipinJune2011,heldatDreamhackinSweden,featuredUS$100,000inprizes.TheEuropeanteamFnaticdefeatedteamsfromEurope,theUSA,andSoutheastAsiatowinthetournamentandreceivedUS$50,000inprizemoney.[67]Over1.6millionviewerswatchedthestreamedbroadcastoftheevent,withapeakofover210,000simultaneousviewersinonesemifinalmatch.[68]AfterSeason1,RiotannouncedthatUS$5,000,000wouldbepaidoutoverSeason2.Ofthisamount,$2millionwastogotoRiot'spartners,includingtheIPLandothermajoreSportsassociations.Another$2millionwastogotoRiot'sSeason2qualifiersandchampionship.Thefinal$1millionwastogotosmallorganizerswhoapplytoRiottohostLeagueofLegendstournaments.[69]
AfteraseriesofnetworkissuesduringtheSeason2WorldPlayoffsthatledtoseveralmatchesbeingdelayed,RiotrevealedonOctober13,2012,thataspecialLANbasedclienthadbeenquicklydeveloped,designedforuseintournamentenvironmentswheretheeffectsoflagandothernetworkissuescanbedetrimentaltotheproperorganizationofanevent.TheLANclientwasdeployedforthefirsttimeduringthefirstquarterfinalandsemifinalmatchesplayedfollowingtherescheduledmatches,andwasinuseduringthefinals.[70]OnOctober13,2012,Taiwan'sprofessionalteamTaipeiAssassins(TPA)triumphedoverSouthKorea'sAzubuFrostintheFinalsofSeason2WorldChampionshipwithascoreof3to1,andclaimedthe$1millioninprizemoney.[71]
InOctober2013,KoreanteamSKTelecomT1andChineseteamRoyalClub"competedattheStaplesCenterinLosAngeles.SKTelecomT1wonthegrandprizeof$1million,andRoyalClubreceived$250,000.[72]
Asof2013,LeagueofLegendsisthemostpopularesportsgameinSouthKorea.[73]
OnJuly11,2013,RiotmanagerNickAllenannouncedthattheUnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServicesnowrecognizesLeagueofLegendsproplayersasprofessionalathletesandthevisaapplicationprocessisnowsimplifiedforthem.[74][74]ThesechangesallowprofessionalplayerstostayintheUnitedStatesforuptofiveyears.[75]
ChampionshipSeries
OnFebruary7,2013,RiotGamesmadetheLeagueofLegendsChampionshipSeries(LCS)inEuropeandNorthAmerica.Thisisaleaguesystemwheretenteamscompetetostayintheleague.Aseasonconsistsoftwosplits,eachsplitseparatedintoaregularseasonandaplayoff.Thetopthreeteamsfromeachcontinentadvancetotheworldchampionships.
Otherleagues
Allstars
Aftertheendingofthespringsplit,afewplayerschosenbyfansaswellasthenumberoneteamintheplayoffsparticipateinanentertainmenteventwhereallregionsarerepresented.ThiseventwaspreviouslyheldinShanghai,Chinain2013andParis,Francein2014.TheWorldChampionshipoccursafterthesummersplit.Startingwith2015,theAllstarswillmovetoNovemberDecember,aftertheWorld
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 11/15
Championship.BetweenspringandsummertherewouldbeanewcompetitiveeventcalledMidseasonInvitational,featuringeachregion'sbestteam(unliketheWorldChampionshipwithsomeregionscansendupto3teams).
References
1. "LeagueofLegendsHome"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/).Leagoeoflegends.com.Retrieved4January2015.
2. Nguyen,Thierry(September1,2009)."ClashofTheDOTAs"(http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3175835).1UP.com.RetrievedOctober21,2009.
3. "NewPlayerGuide"(http://gameinfo.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/gameinfo/getstarted/newplayerguide/).LeagueofLegends.RiotGames.Retrieved21July2014.
4. Gaudiosi,John(July11,2012)."RiotGames'LeagueOfLegendsOfficiallyBecomesMostPlayedPCGameInTheWorld"(http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/07/11/riotgamesleagueoflegendsofficiallybecomesmostplayedpcgameintheworld/).Forbes.RetrievedMarch18,2013.
5. Sheer,Ian(January27,2014)."PlayerTallyforLeagueofLegendsSurges"(http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/01/27/playertallyforleagueoflegendssurges/).Wsj.com.RetrievedJanuary31,2014.
6. "2015SEASON:10Teams,ExpansionTournament&CircuitPoints"(http://na.lolesports.com/articles/2015season10teamsexpansiontournamentcircuitpoints).
7. Makuch,Eddie."32millionpeoplewatchedLeagueofLegendsSeason3WorldChampionships"(http://www.gamespot.com/articles/32millionpeoplewatchedleagueoflegendsseason3worldchampionships/11006416259/).Gamespot.CBSInteractive.Retrieved21July2014.
8. "LeagueofLegends2014WorldChampionships"(http://www.esportsearnings.com/tournaments/7376lol2014worldchampionship).ESportsEarnings.Retrieved23January2015.
9. "Top100LargestOverallPrizePools"(http://www.esportsearnings.com/tournaments).ESportsEarnings.Retrieved23January2015.
10. "Champions:LeagueofLegends"(http://gameinfo.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/gameinfo/champions/).RiotGames.RetrievedFebruary25,2014.
11. "Champions"(http://gameinfo.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/gameinfo/champions/).LeagueofLegends.RiotGames.Retrieved4August2014.
12. "TheCrystalScar:LeagueofLegends"(http://gameinfo.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/gameinfo/gamemodes/thecrystalscar/).RiotGames.RetrievedFebruary25,2014.
13. "RiotGamesSummonerPage"(http://na.leagueoflegends.com/learn/gameplay/summonerinformation).RiotGames.July14,2009.RetrievedMay23,2013.
14. "LeagueofLegendsFAQ"(http://gameinfo.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/gameinfo/getstarted/whatislol/).RiotGames.RetrievedFebruary25,2014.
15. "LeagueofLegendsReview"(http://mmos.com/review/leagueoflegends).Retrieved20150301.16. "TheTribunal"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/tribunal/faq).Leagueoflegends.com.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.17. "UpgradingtheTribunal"(http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/gameupdates/playerbehavior/upgrading
tribunal).Leagueoflegends.com.RetrievedFebruary11,2015.18. "NewPlayerGuide"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/learn/gameplay/matchmaking).Leagueoflegends.com.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 12/15
18. "NewPlayerGuide"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/learn/gameplay/matchmaking).Leagueoflegends.com.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.
19. "RiotBrokeLeagueOfLegends,AndFansLoveIt"(http://kotaku.com/riotbrokeleagueoflegendsandfansloveit1557292936).Kotaku.Retrieved3April2014.
20. "LeagueofLegendsReleasesUltraRapidFireMode"(http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/04/01/leagueoflegendsreleasesultrarapidfiremode).IGN.Retrieved3April2014.
21. name="RiotTeam">"RiotGamesInsiderTeam"(http://www.riotgames.com/insider/team/).RiotGames.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
22. Ford,Suzie."LeagueofLegends:MarcMerrillQ&A"(http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/5686LeagueofLegendsMarcMerrillQA).WarcryNetwork.DefyMedia,LLC.Retrieved4August2014.
23. "RIOTGAMESINVITESALLGAMERSTOJOINTHELEAGUEOFLEGENDSBETABEFORESTARTOFTHEPRESEASON"(http://www.riotgames.com/sites/default/files/uploads/091022_NEWS_lol_betapreseason.pdf)(PDF).Riotgames.com.Retrieved4January2015.
24. "LeagueofLegendspreseasontobeginOctober27th2009!"(http://na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=14694).RiotGames.September29,2009.RetrievedMarch18,2013.
25. "LeagueofLegendsGameSpot.com"(http://www.gamespot.com/leagueoflegends/platform/pc/).GameSpot.RetrievedMarch18,2013.
26. Maierbrugger,Arno(25July2013)."TopPCgamesinFilipinocomputercafs"(http://investvine.com/toppcgamesinfilipinocomputercafes/).InsideInvestor.Retrieved25July2013.
27. "IPRestrictionsinEurope"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=17386).GOA(asubsidiaryofWanadoo,specialisinginonlinegaming).October13,2009.RetrievedDecember10,2009.
28. "GOAandRiotRescindIPRestrictionDecision"(http://leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=18223).GOA(asubsidiaryofWanadoo),specialisinginonlinegaming.October16,2009.RetrievedDecember10,2009.
29. Irene"Ribesbianco"Caroti/EleonoraLucheroni(March25,2013)."LeagueofLegendsItalianLaunch!EyesinRomewasthereandletustellyou"(http://www.eirgames.com/4079/leaguelegendsitalianlaunch/).EIRGames.RetrievedMarch25,2013.
30. "RiotGamestoPublishLeagueofLegendsinEurope"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=109717).RiotGames.May10,2010.RetrievedJuly26,2010.
31. "RiotGamesIncestablishesEMEAHeadquartersinDublin"(http://www.idaireland.com/newsmedia/pressreleases/riotgamesincestablishe/).IDAIreland.July15,2010.RetrievedJuly26,2010.
32. "LeagueofLegendsisFree"(http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/).RiotGames.July14,2009.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
33. "PreOrdertheLeagueofLegendsDigitalCollector'sPack"(http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/preorder).RiotGames.July14,2009.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
34. "LeagueofLegendsisFreethreadpage12"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/?t=7298&page=12).RiotGames.July15,2009.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
35. "LeagueofLegendsisFreeForumpage7"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/?t=7298&page=7).RiotGames.July14,2009.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
36. "LeagueofLegendsisFreeForumpage13"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/?t=7298&page=13).RiotGames.July15,2009.RetrievedJuly19,2007.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 13/15
37. "SoutheastAsiamegathread"(http://www.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=66426).Leagueoflegends.com.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.
38. "RiotGamesPartnerswithGarenatobringLeagueofLegendstoSoutheastAsia"(http://eu.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=17947).RiotGames.July16,2010.RetrievedJuly27,2010.
39. "Review:LeagueofLegendsmakesitswaytotheMac"(http://www.macworld.com/article/2033673/reviewleagueoflegendsmakesitswaytothemac.html).MacWorld.Retrieved20130418.
40. "RiotGamesTokyo"(http://www.riotgames.com/articles/20141217/1248/riotgamestokyo).RiotGames.RetrievedFebruary13,2015.
41. "LeagueofLegendsiscomingtoJapan!"(http://www.in2lol.com/en/news/21145leagueoflegendsiscomingtojapan).in2LoL.RetrievedFebruary13,2015.
42. "LeagueofLegendsJapanServerGotitsFirstGameTrailer"(http://lol.mmosite.com/news/09242014/league_of_legends_japan_server_got_its_first_game_trailer.shtml).MMOSite.RetrievedFebruary13,2015.
43. Ryze(November18,2011)."CommunityGrowsto32Million"(http://web.archive.org/web/20120922030750/http://euw.leagueoflegends.com/news/communitygrows32millionplayers).Archivedfromtheoriginal(http://euw.leagueoflegends.com/news/communitygrows32millionplayers)onSeptember22,2012.
44. Purchese,Robert(28January2014)."LOL:27millionpeopleplayiteveryday!"(http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20140128lol27millionpeopleplayiteveryday).Eurogamer.GamerNetwork.Retrieved28January2014.
45. "LeagueofLegendsplayerssummitanewpeak"(http://www.riotgames.com/articles/20130312/700/leaguelegendsplayerssummitnewpeak).RiotGames.March13,2013.RetrievedMarch18,2013.
46. "LeagueofLegendsJapanServerGotitsFirstGameTrailer"(http://lol.mmosite.com/news/09242014/league_of_legends_japan_server_got_its_first_game_trailer.shtml).MMOSite.RetrievedFebruary13,2015.
47. "LeagueofLegendsnow#1GameinKorea"(http://www.mmochampion.com/threads/1103165LeagueofLegendsnow1GameinKorea).Mmochampion.com.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.
48. Maierbrugger,Arno(July2013)."TopPCgamesinFilipinocomputercafs"(http://investvine.com/toppcgamesinfilipinocomputercafes/).Investvine.RetrievedOctober15,2013.
49. "Taipeilightsuptocelebrate"(http://chinagame.178.com/201201/120872752935.html).Taipeilightsuptocelebrate1millionLoLplayers.
50. "LeagueofLegendsforPCGameRankings"(http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/954437leagueoflegends/index.html).GameRankings.RetrievedMay19,2011.
51. "LeagueofLegendsforPC"(http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/leagueoflegends).Metacritic.RetrievedMay19,2011.
52. "LeagueofLegendsforPCfrom1UP"(http://www.1up.com/games/pc/leagueoflegends/).1UP.RetrievedMay19,2011.
53. "LeagueofLegendsOverviewallgame"(http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=70584).RetrievedMay19,2011.
54. "LeagueofLegendsReviewPC"(http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/leagueoflegendsreview).Eurogamer.RetrievedMay19,2011.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 14/15
RetrievedMay19,2011.55. Hunt,Geoff."LeagueofLegendsReviewforthePC"(http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/leagueof
legends).GameRevolution.RetrievedMay19,2011.56. "GameSpyTheConsensusLeagueofLegendReview"(http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/leagueoflegendsclashof
fates/1050609p1.html).GameSpy.RetrievedMay19,2011.57. "LeagueofLegendsPCReview"(http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/item/league_of_legends_pc_review/).
GameZone.RetrievedMay19,2011.58. Jackson,LeahB.(February13,2014)."LeagueofLegendsReviewPCReviewatIGN"
(http://pc.ign.com/articles/104/1042996p2.html).RetrievedFebruary21,2014.59. Butts,Steve."LeagueofLegendsReview"
(http://web.archive.org/web/20091110061331/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/104/1042996p1.html).IGN.Archivedfromtheoriginal(http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/104/1042996p1.html)onNovember6,2009.RetrievedMay23,2010."Thestrategyelementsaresound,anditcanbefuntojustpickalaneandstartchewingthroughminionsasyouworkyourwaytowardsenemytowersandchampions.ButsometimesitfeelslikeLeagueofLegendsthrowstoomuchattheplayer,bothintermsofthenumberofchampionsandthegeneralconfusionofthelargerbattles.Whilethat'snotenoughtodampenyourenthusiasmofthegame,thevaguestatusofthelaunchandthemorethanoccasionalhostilityofthecommunityjustmight."
60. Minotti,Mike(July27,2013)."ComparingMOBAs:Dota2vs.LeagueofLegendsvs.HeroesofNewerth"(http://venturebeat.com/2013/07/27/comparingmobasdota2vsleagueoflegendsvsheroesofnewerth/).VentureBeat.RetrievedJanuary23,2014.
61. "PCBestStrategyGameReaders'Choice2009"(http://bestof.ign.com/2009/pc/beststrategygame.html).IGN.December21,2009.RetrievedMay28,2011.
62. "PCGamers'Choice2009"(http://goty.gamespy.com/2009/pcgamerschoice.html).Gamespy.December21,2009.RetrievedMay28,2011.
63. "Riot'sLeagueofLegendsLeadsGameDevelopersChoiceOnlineAwardWinners"(http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30864/Riots_League_of_Legends_Leads_Game_Developers_Choice_Online_Award_Winners.php).Gamasutra.October28,2010.RetrievedMay28,2011.
64. "GJ10:OnlineGameOfTheYearis..."(http://www.computerandvideogames.com/272489/gj10onlinegameoftheyearis/).computerandvideogames.com.October29,2010.RetrievedOctober16,2013.
65. "BetaGamezone"(http://www.gamezone.com/news/leagueoflegendswins2011goldenjoystickawardforbestfreetoplaygame).GameZone.October22,2011.RetrievedOctober25,2011.
66. "WCG2010prizemoney+distributionrevealedSKGaming"(http://www.skgaming.com/content/30773WCG_2010_prize_money__distribution_revealed).Skgaming.com.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.
67. FnatichxdHarryWiggett(June20,2011)."FnaticMSI.LoLareDHSChampions!Winning$50,000"(http://www.fnatic.com/news/8905/FnaticMSILoLareDHSChampionsWinning50000.html).FNATIC.com.RetrievedDecember7,2011.
68. JohnFunk(June23,2011)."TheEscapist:News:LeagueofLegendsChampionshipDraws1.69MillionViewers"(http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/111254LeagueofLegendsChampionshipDraws169MillionViewers).TheEscapist.RetrievedDecember7,2011.
69. "LeagueofLegendsSeason2"(http://competitive.na.leagueoflegends.com/competitive/season2/introduction).RetrievedDecember31,2011.
70. "RiotannouncesLANclientforSeason2Finals"(http://www.gamespot.com/news/riotannounceslanclientforseason2finals6398220).GameSpot.RetrievedOctober13,2012.
-
4/10/2015 LeagueofLegendsWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends 15/15
WikimediaCommonshasmediarelatedtoLeagueofLegends.
Externallinks
Officialwebsite(http://leagueoflegends.com/)
Retrievedfrom"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=League_of_Legends&oldid=653752195"
Categories: 2009videogames Electronicsportsgames Freetoplayvideogames LeagueofLegendsMultiplayeronlinebattlearenagames Multiplayeronlyvideogames OSXgamesSciencefantasyvideogames VideogamesdevelopedintheUnitedStates Windowsgames
Thispagewaslastmodifiedon27March2015,at14:03.TextisavailableundertheCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlikeLicenseadditionaltermsmayapply.Byusingthissite,youagreetotheTermsofUseandPrivacyPolicy.WikipediaisaregisteredtrademarkoftheWikimediaFoundation,Inc.,anonprofitorganization.
season2finals6398220).GameSpot.RetrievedOctober13,2012.71. "TaipeiAssassinstriumphin'LeagueofLegends'worldfinals"
(http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/taipeiassassinstriumphleaguelegendsworldfinals1C6448579).RetrievedOctober14,2012.
72. Farokhmanesh,Megan(October5,2013)."LeagueofLegends2013WorldChampionshipwinnercrowned"(http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/5/4805468/leagueoflegends2013worldchampionshipwinnercrowned).Polygon.RetrievedFebruary2,2014.
73. Prell,Sophie(January29,2013)."LeagueofLegendsplanstodominateeSportswithconsistency,quality,andaccessibility"(https://web.archive.org/web/20130826204422/http://pennyarcade.com/report/article/consistencyqualityaccessibilitythreewaysleagueoflegendsplanstodom).ThePAReport.Archivedfromtheoriginal(http://pennyarcade.com/report/editorialarticle/consistencyqualityaccessibilitythreewaysleagueoflegendsplanstodom)onAugust26,2013.RetrievedJanuary29,2013.
74. "LeagueofLegends"(http://www.gamespot.com/leagueoflegends/videos/riotsmagusandnickallentalktournamentformatandmore6411345/).GameSpot.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.
75. "Forms"(http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=19860b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD).Uscis.gov.RetrievedJanuary4,2015.