Riot's League of Legends MMO — set in the world of Runeterra — is very much alive, but early. First announced in 2020, it was rebooted in early 2024 after Riot decided the original version felt too much like existing MMOs. As of 2026 it's a persistent sandbox world with third-person action combat, targeted for release before 2030, with a public reveal unlikely before 2027. No title, trailer, or gameplay footage exists yet.
This is the MMO millions of League players have been dreaming about — a living, breathing Runeterra you can actually explore. Here's exactly where it stands, what's confirmed, and what's still a mystery — no hype inflation.
What is the Riot MMO?
It's an MMORPG set in Runeterra, the universe behind League of Legends, Valorant's lore-adjacent world, Arcane, and Riot's other titles. Riot has described a persistent sandbox world with innovative gameplay and action-RPG elements, played from a third-person perspective with a focus on action combat rather than old-school tab-targeting.
The 2024 reboot — why it matters
In early 2024, Riot co-founder Marc Merrill announced the team had partially reset the project's direction after concluding an earlier version was too similar to existing MMORPGs. Rather than ship a WoW clone in Runeterra's skin, Riot chose to start over on the parts that mattered. Merrill has since said Riot is "more committed than ever" to the MMO.
Who's building it
- Brian Holinka joined as main game designer in June 2026 — previously the lead combat designer on World of Warcraft, responsible for PvP and class balance. A major hire for the combat-focused direction.
- Fabrice Condominas serves as executive producer, under Marc Merrill, who remains "heavily involved."
Business model
Nothing is confirmed, but the signal is strong: Riot has never released a paid game. League, Valorant, TFT, and Legends of Runeterra are all free-to-play, and the team has emphasized a non-pay-to-win, cosmetics-based model. Expect the MMO to follow suit — most likely free-to-play with cosmetic monetization.
What we DON'T know yet
Kept honest: no official title, no release date, no gameplay footage, screenshots, or trailers as of mid-2026. Classes, zones, and systems are all unconfirmed. When Riot reveals them, this page updates — and the guides begin.
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Warm up in League of Legends — learn Runeterra now
The MMO is years out, but its world is playable today. Learn the champions, factions, and lore of Runeterra through League so you walk into the MMO already knowing Demacia from Noxus. It's free, and it's the fastest way to get invested.
Start the League & Runeterra guide →Quick answers
Is the Riot MMO still happening?
Yes. It was rebooted in 2024, not cancelled. Riot says it's "more committed than ever," and a new lead designer joined in mid-2026.
When will the Riot MMO release?
No date. Riot's Marc Merrill has said to expect it before 2030, with a public reveal unlikely before 2027.
Will it be free-to-play?
Not confirmed, but likely — Riot has never charged upfront for a game and emphasizes non-pay-to-win, cosmetic monetization.
Do I need to play League first?
No — but it's the best way to get to know Runeterra's world, factions, and champions before the MMO arrives.