As it turns out, Riot is having trouble with Tencent developing a mobile clone of “League of Legends”. This is revealed in a statement. The statement also addresses the declining player numbers of LoL.
What happened? A well-known tech site “The Information” published an article about the tensions between Riot Games and their Chinese bosses at Tencent. They spoke with 40 people at Riot and Tencent. There are tensions between the two companies.
Allegedly, Tencent is now focusing more on Fortnite and PUBG. The weaker player numbers of LoL have led to layoffs.
As a result of this story, there was an official statement from Riot Games.
What is the relationship between Tencent and Riot Games? Tencent has fully acquired Riot Games. However, they give Riot Games, the developers of LoL, a lot of freedom. But apparently, there has been trouble behind the scenes.
Because Tencent developed an “unofficial” mobile version of League of Legends. In China, it is called “Honor of Kings,” in Europe and North America it is “Arena of Valor.”
LoL was supposed to go mobile – Riot declined
What is the history of the tech site?
- As it became clear that “mobile gaming” would become stronger than “hardcore gaming,” Tencent allegedly approached Riot and asked if they could make a mobile title out of LoL.
- However, Riot declined, saying, “the experience of League of Legends cannot be transferred to mobile devices.”
- After that, Tencent is said to have developed its own MOBA for mobile: “Honor of Kings.”
LoL mobile clone “Honor of Kings” becomes a huge hit
- Riot was reportedly shocked when they first saw screenshots of Honor of Kings. An employee said: “We were shocked. They shamelessly copied our brand.”
- Riot then complained to Tencent, and they modified Honor of Kings enough to work as an “independent product.”
Tencent is now focusing more on Fortnite – Is LoL in crisis?
- Honor of Kings then became a massive hit in China.
- Riot was not a fan of the game, to put it kindly.
- Meanwhile, Tencent is said to view Riot critically and focus more on “Fortnite” and “PUBG,” while League of Legends is allegedly losing players and profit. This also led to layoffs.
This is what LoL says about declining player numbers
What does Riot Games say? Riot reached out to the site Dot Esports and issued an official statement:
“The numbers for League of Legends are lower than at their peak, but it is still one of the most played games on the planet and we are very happy with the numbers. We think some of the content we will bring soon will help us with player numbers. Basically: League of Legends is doing incredibly well by any measure, except in comparison to our own benchmarks.
Riot Games is currently developing several new games
The relationship with Tencent is better than ever. We spoke with Riot employees about this in February. Although the situation with “Arena of Valor” was not good, we have processed it. From a leadership perspective, the partnership is better than ever. We are working with Tencent on an exciting future for League of Legends and our other games (yes, multiple games).”
Sounds like a lot of grumbling behind the scenes
What is behind this? For outsiders, it was clear that “Honor of Kings” was the unofficial mobile version of League of Legends. The parallels were obvious.
However, it was thought that the LoL copy was made with Riot Games’ explicit “okay.” The fact that it apparently happened against Riot’s will and that there was a lot of grumbling about it is interesting and new.
Riot will surely be regretting today that they thought “LoL couldn’t go mobile.” Honor of Kings proves that it can.
It is also interesting that Riot Games is developing “several new games.” There could be a lot in planning.
One of the new games could turn out to be an MMO:
